Shop put on a new idler pulley yesterday after having a series of problems happen. A month ago, they replaced the power steering pump because of a bad whine, the fuel pump and the starter. After the work the whine got progressively worse, the truck started to run funny. It would shudder when shifting into OD, the check engine light came on and it lost some power. They put the pulley on checked for the other problems. They say the shudder will go away with a tranny flush, the cam shaft sensor is bad. However, they say they hear a zipper noise in the engine. (The truck has always had a noise and I can make it do it on demand). They say I should get rid of the truck and that the engine is going bad. I picked it up from the shop and it drove like the first day I got it from the dealership. Would you get a second opinion? Any other suggestions? The check engine light is now off. The idler pulley noise was so bad it was getting unbearable to drive.

 

How many miles on the truck which I assume is a 2004 with what engine and how many miles? If the engine light came on then there should be codes stored, what are they? How do you make the noise turn on on demand? Have you ever changed sparkplugs yet?

 

Yes it is a 2004 5.4 with 91k miles on. The engine light came on and the code was for a cam sensor. The shop reset and said it may not come back on again. There is a certain way to hit the gas and let off for it make the noise. I have never changed the plugs. Thought I might try that route first before giving up on it.

 

If it runs good and is not throwing any codes I wouldn't give up on it yet. Low grade missfires can happen and not trigger codes or trigger some like cam sensor. Plugs may do it just take the advice of most guys here and use Motorcraft. The noise may be the alternator and as far as the zipper noise. Take the serpentine belt off and see what noises remain. If the zipper noise is still there then it could be something behind the front cover like a chain guide or other base engine noise. Just have to determine if it's normal or not I guess. Not sure why they said the engine is going based on what you have here. Good luck.