I have a 2005 f150 XLT with the 5.4L. I have a fairly loud ticking noise coming from my engine. Seems to be front driverside. And more faint but noticeable ticking elsewhere. The lesser ticks are on both sides of the motor. I've been researching the louder tick... And some people say cam phasers, some say vct solenoid... Has anyone actually had the problem and gotten it successfully fixed? Mine has gotten somewhat louder lately. Still runs badass but that sound... It worries me. The lesser ticks do too.. But not like that one! Any info on either or would be helpful! Suggestions of things I could try myself would also be cool. For instance someone posted on another thread that it can be caused by debri in a channel (to the vct? I can't remember exactly) so is there any way to clean it without tearing down the front of my engine?

 

I just replaced my passenger side VCT with a FoMoCo part. It is much quieter.