I have a 2007 5.4 liter and have had a slight "knocking" noise when under very light acceleration, under 1,000 RPM's. It is typically only existent at these low RPM levels, but today, it was VERY loud at any RPM level. It literally sounded like an engine with no oil in it. After checking the oil level (it was normal) I restarted the truck and the noise went away. A while back, thinking it may have been lifter problems, I flushed everything, but it did nothing for me. Perhaps this is the dreaded phaser problems? Before I take the route of replacing them, is there anything else that may be causing these "ticking" issues? I am on my mobile and am unable to browse past topics, for whatever reason, so I apologize if there are similar threads on this. I'm just a bit concerned and am not around a computer at the moment. There is no hesitation when under acceleration or anything; the truck has always ran great, even with the low RPM "knock." Thanks.

 

What are you using for oil and filter?

 

Sorry, not Motorcraft, but Chevron 5w20 and Motorcraft filter.

 

Also, this issue only seems to be existent after the engine has been running for a while. When cold, everything sounds normal. I guess I just need to take the thing to someone who knows these engines well and have them check it out.

 

Check your timing chain guides/assembly out first. There may be enough left of them right now to keep things on the up-and-up at higher oil pressure. Get it early enough and maybe you save the engine.

The phasers are only a symptom.

 

Well, check this link out:
It is normally not this loud, but it will do this after several miles of driving, always after city driving. When I start the truck in the mornings, all sounds normal and everything runs normally; however, the warmer the engine gets, the louder the ticking/knocking gets. The truck also seems to lose power after warming up. Anyways, I am directing my phone (camera) to the area where this noise is coming from. I am by no means expecting a full blown diagnosis from a video clip, but does this sound like cam phaser issues?

 

I recently pick up a tick on acceleration or under a load. Not near as bad as on the video. I read through my repair manual and it listed everything but the phasers. It listed, poor fuel quality, bad spark plugs, fault in fuel or electrical system, vacuum leak or emission system.
I spoke with a few ford technicians and they identified my ticking as a passenger side exhaust manifold leak. One mentioned he heard some timing chain chatter, which was an indicator of the phasers going bad. He asked if I had any codes and I don't. He said when the phaser goes bad it affects cam timing and usually throws a code or two. Seems like I'm at the early stages of it going bad.
I'm going to take care of the manifold and plugs. I'll wait for our tax return to fix the phaser.

JLT89,
Are you getting any codes? From what you were describing, as the oil warms up the noise starts. Could it be that as the oil warms up it thins out and is no longer able to create the need oil pressure to keep everything running smoothly?
When was the last oil change? Would a thicker/heavier oil quiet things down?

 

It has never thrown any codes, no. The truck has always been very well maintained when it comes to fluid changes and what not. What you say about the oil makes sense and I have had those same thoughts. While I have contemplated switching to a heavier oil, I have read and heard that that's not a good idea. Then, I've heard that it is fine and is a potential cure for the issue; in other words, I don't know who to trust. I guess I could run a different oil weight for a short period of time, but I am unsure of how "heavy" to go with the oil. Perhaps 10W30 would be a starting point? Anyhow, thanks for the opinion.