Hey guys,
This has been bothering me since I bought my truck. 2005 f150 5.4. Noticed a sound it was making ( ticking, tapping ) did some research online and read a lot about these trucks having a big issue with can phasers. Took it to ford and they will not attempt service due to TSB. Truck makes a noticeable clacking/tapping noise not just at idle but also while driving at low rpms. I think it taps constantly but just can't hear it in high rpms due to engine noise. But its less noticeable when on a cold start. Mostly when driving slowly past parked cars your engine noise reverberates back. And its a loud clack. Any idea if this is indeed a phaser or vct problem or could it be something more serious? I read about trying to unplug the vct to see if there's a change. Is that a good idea and if so what am i looking for to change? I'm afraid ford is just trying to get out of doing the work. Truck is under warranty

PS. No engine light codes showing

 

Ticking could very well be the vct phasers making noise. Very common noise with these engines. Many of us have had the noise for many of miles with no problem myself included. Now if it gets worse or starts sounding like a diesel then yes the phasers are starting to go bad and will eventually need to be changed.
Now if you are getting a slapping noise when accelerating that would be the timing chain slapping the guides. That's not to good because eventually this guides are going to break off and fall into the oil pick up and possibly block the filter.
Run a good oil filter (not Fram) and the right 5w20 and change every 5k and that'll help extend the life of your engine.

Also the TSB Ford is talking about is the leaking injectors and has nothing to do with your vct so I sounds like they just don't want to touch it.

 

Yes getting the diesel noise now. Going to see if doing some kicking and screaming to ford will help doubtful. Is there any chance it could be the solenoids and not the phasers? How can I rule them out? Is there any truth to the "unplug them and listen for noise change?" Also no engine codes. I guess they will pop when it finally goes for good? Sorry for the million questions. Thank you so much for your help.

 

I think of you unplug the vct solenoids one at a time and the noise changes that'll help determine what the problem is.
If you truck is under warranty really try and get Ford to look at it and possibly even fix the problem before it goes bad after the warranty.

 

I've been having the same issue. My 5.4 in my 2005 clatters horribly right at 750 RPMs, aka parking lot/drive thru RPMs. It drives me insane. When I unplug either of my VCT solenoids, the noise quits. Plug them back in, and the noise is back. Hopefully new solenoids will solve this. I'm tired of riding around sounding like a rock in a tin can.
If this doesn't do the trick, my head might just explode. Lol

 

Brace for the worst. The cam phasers operate with 25 PSI of oil running through them. You're not getting that and low oil pressure still is a bad reality. That's why cutting the phasers out of the equation also gets rid of that noise. You've got internal engine damage--"How much?" is the real question.

The well-intended suggestion about "Run a good oil filter (not Fram) and the right 5w20" sounds nice, but those aren't what kills the phasers (Honeywell actually makes Honda OEM filters, so by far most Fram filters are just fine, FWIW.). Reading elsewhere tells me that the Aussie 5.4L uses 10w-40 and does just fine with it as well. The difference? Oz doesn't have anywhere the emissions restrictions the USA does, hence the 5w-20 usage.

I would suggest checking out that oil pan, cleaning out all the flimsy timing chain cassette pieces that clogged the oil pump pickup and killed the phasers in the first place and use 10w-40 to get you by if you're not springing for a new engine yet.

 

Please don't ever run 10w-40 in these engines. You'll starve your phasers for oil every time you cold start your truck. And plug any tight tolerance passages. THAT'S what kills these phasers the most. Reason you run the OEM filter is because cheap filters line Fram use a cardboard anti-drainback which breaks over time allowing oil to drain back into the oil pan causing dry cold starts.

Please don't give people miss information. If you wanna kill your engine with thick oil go ahead but leave others out of it.