It could also be a loose plug getting ready to blow out.

No check engine light, no codes?

Probably time for a compression test.

 

Right, I'd definitely check the plugs. See if you can stethoscope the ticking and make sure the plugs are run down all the way in that area, - first.

If it comes to a Compression check, use the link in the sig below.

 

While the engine is running disconnect one fuel injector wire at a time. Usually if its a piston/rod bearing issue the noise will lessen considerably when the injector is disconnected on the problem cyl. If you are certain its not an exhaust leak I would remove the cam cover and have a look at the valvetrain. It could be a sparkplug but you should have the longer threaded plugs in yours as I recall.

 

Nope - the 8 thread heads didn't show up till mid-03.

 

GOT IT! Everythin on the #6 cylinder went out so it was miss firing. And as for the ticking my exhaust broke off on the down pipe right after my catt

 

Definitely sounds like two different issues. Shoot for a faulty coil pack and an exhaust leak. I know how you FL boys like to mudride. Remember, Ford owners, those wonderful coil packs don't always throw a code when they're bad, or going bad. I've had several malfunction when they get hot in the past. I had to disconnect the harness from each one with the engine idling; the one that made the least difference I took a chance and changed it, and always came out on top.

I think it is a little too early to be talking about valves, unless you swamped the truck. The majority of the Ford jobs are the coil packs and the vacuum leaks, that affect the way it runs without throwing a code. In fact, they say the Cam positioning sensor is responsible for telling the PCM that there is a bad coil pack; it doesn't always do its job.

Here's an easy road test for you: Let the truck shift into OD going up an incline. Or if its manual, put it in the highest gear. If it starts bucking on you, whether occassional or all of the time, check the coil packs

 

Look at the post right above yours, NOLA - the problem was found.

 

yeah for some reason I didn't read that. My wife said "you were right, but a dumbass for not reading the post above yours before posting." Oh well...could use some real advice about the oil consumption issue I posted in the other forum. Anybody have any experience with the teardown of the 5.4 or even 4.6. Probably the same head design. I've built a couple of obsolete pump gas street motors by hand, without a machinist besides turning a crank, but I never inspected a modular head under the valve cover. What do the drain down ports look like? How big? How many? Rough cast edges? Guess I have to go to the junkyard to have a look. There's just too many people complaining about low mileage oil consumption with the 5.4. If this theory turns out to be the issue, oil consumption problem with 5.4 solved= run a higher detergeant and change oil more often. Plus all that oil "disappearance" can't be healthy for the $500+ cat.

 

I'd check the PCV valve/system before going to crazy. Other than that, the engineers who designed the engine say it's normal for this engine to use oil. I'm not sure what your looking for, -how much oil consumption ? How much weight do you pull , if any? What kind of filter do you run ?