I was looking at a 2004 F150 5.4 for sale today and noticed the lifters were very loud when looking under the hood. What causes this exactly? Also i believe the truck has some sort of vacuum leak or something as it idles rough when in gear. Thanks for your insight just trying to learn something here.

 

ok after re reading my post i think i should rephrase. i know that the lifters are ticking due to lack of oil but since all 8 are ticking and its not just on start up are they even adjustable on the triton? or is there something more catastrophic here?

 

The fuel injectors make a ticking noise as they open and close that sound very much like lifters. If it is a more solid knocking sound, it could be the cam phasers and that is a problem. The bad idle could be several things. Needs plugs, or the throttle body or the MAF could need cleaning. Could even need a fuel filter, that will cause it too.

 

Bluejay is correct the one sure way to tell its not the lifters is the fact that it doesn't have lifters

 

i thought thats what the scenario was but wasnt sure. lol im used to the older engines. so its pretty much the injectors? and if it is the injectors making that noise then they need to be replaced for sure or what?

 

double post. sorry.

 

No, noisy injectors are not a problem. They do not need to be replaced. The only time you replace an injector is if it starts leaking or locks closed. The noise is just the clicking of the openning and closing.

 

Not exactly. OHC engines have hydraulic cam followers, which essentially are "lifters" and can make the same noise when sticky or collapsed.

With those noises and issues, I'd take a pass on that truck. 2004 was the first year of the 5.4 3v and it definitely had some issues.

 

Noisy cam phasers aren't necessarily a problem either.