OK, first time user/post on this site. I've had my '04 FX4 for 4 years. Never had any major problems with my truck, but there has been a ticking or knocking sound in the valve train that has gradually gotten worse over the last couple years. I bought my truck with 20,000 miles, and have always taken good care of it, servicing it regularly, etc. I've talked to several of my buddies that own Fords, and most of them seem to think it's a fairly common theme among the 5.4 L V8's. FYI: I'm not a mechanical guy, aside from minor maintenance knowledge, so any kind of knowledge or suggestions on how to fix this will be very much appreciated. Thanks!

 

One common noise is that cam phasers. These are the adjustable gears on the camshaft for the varibale cam timing. Cam phaser noise is described as: a knocking sound like a diesel that only happens once the engine is warm during idle and very low rpms less than 1k. The key is it only happens when warm because the phaser is locked out until that point.

If you can live with the noise its generally thought to be ok. No serious damage to occur if its not replaced.

 

Cam phaser noise is annoying and if you dont know what it is, it can make you sweat a little. The first time I heard it I was parked in front of best buy next to a car with my windows down and the truck idling. I only had 3000 miles on it at this point. The noise was noticeable because it was deflecting off the car next to me. I took it to the dealership and they explained to me exactly what Tim98 explained to you. I was in disbelief so I researched on my own and found out that they were telling me the truth. Most ppl never notice it but every 5.4 that I stand next to, I can hear it. So, to answer your question, yes it is common and within the norm for the 5.4.

 

I concur the noise is common; sucks that they do but it is normal. Drove me crazy especially considering how much I paid for the truck so I got a louder exhaust :-)

Good luck.

 

I had a tick that reared it's head just shy of 48K in my '04 F150 3V 5.4. I took it in under warranty, but the service manager laughed at me and said it was the fuel injectors and that any of the other F150, van or Mustang on the lot would make the same noise. I just took his word on it and went on my merry way.
A few thousand miles after my warranty had expired, I had a HLA seize which held the valve in the extended position which also caused the roller rocker to chew up it's cam lobe.
I took it back in to the same Stealership and the same guy told me they had no record of me going to the dealership about any ticking noise and that they would have taken something like that more serious than what I described.

*******. What do you do?
(I swapped a newer LOW mile salvage yard engine )

 

Man thank ya'll so much! It has me worried for a while now. It's got 85K miles, which doesn't bother me, as long as the knocking is normal. I feel alot better knowing that it is. Preciate it! I'm in the process of making some upgrades: tires, wheels, grill insert, 2.5 inch leveling kit, and def some exhaust to drown out the knocking. Any suggestions? Will post some pics when I get 'er looking good.