I have 99 5.4 that has been supercharged. I also have a ticking noise. It sounds to me like a collapsed lifter. My truck is still under warranty. Anyone have any suggestions about how to get Ford to look at it without immediately screaming "supercharger"? I'm in Houston, any good dealers here? The noise is constant at idle, can't really hear it above that, and has been this way for at least a year.

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99 SC 4X4 5.4 ORP 3.73LS Lariat Black over Gold on Tan.
Mods-Powerdyne Supercharged,Superchip,Dual Flowmasters,Westin Nerf Bars, 305/70/16 GY M/T's, Extang Black Max Tonneau

 

I'm not big on supercharged engines... haven't really spent much time around them, but I'd check the casing oil in the 'charger unit itself... it could be the fan lacking oil. If it is the lifters.... good luck! That engine's a ways back there! How do you like your supercharger? Would you say it's worth the cost?

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1998 F-150 Lariat SC
Toreador Red w/ Harvest Gold Trim around bottom
5.4L SOHC Triton V-8
K&N Filtercharger
4x4; 3.55 LS; Off Road Pkg.; 17" wheels; 4x4 shifter ON THE FLOOR WHERE IT SHOULD BE
Bridgestone Dueler AT/S
Chrome Brush Guard w/2 Pilot 55w halogen driving lights
Chrome Double/Single Roll bar w/4 100w Eagle Eye Off road lights
Ford Insignia mud flaps
Flowmaster Cat-Back Duals w/2 chamber mufflers
GTS Headlight & Taillight Covers
Ventvisors
Hella Dual Trumpet horns
6-disc CD changer
Red interior lights
Uniden 40 Ch. CB Radio
"Her name is Jasmine!"

 

The S/C is worth the cost; I'm disappointed I have a problem with the motor. It's a low pressure S/C, probably adding 50 BHP. Ford called this morning and said it sounds like a lifter or a rocker, and the S/C voids your warranty. I said how does a S/C affect the lifters. Ford rep responds with, I don't know, I just know your warranty is voided. I found a good link here, and will try to use it if I can. If the S/C screwed something up I'm willing to pay for it. But, I'm having a hard time understanding how a lifter or rocker is affected. I did not change the RPM.
Here's the link http://www.ericsrv.com/images/Banks/warranty.htm

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99 SC 4X4 5.4 ORP 3.73LS Lariat Black over Gold on Tan.
Mods-Powerdyne Supercharged,Superchip,Dual Flowmasters,Westin Nerf Bars, 305/70/16 GY M/T's, Extang Black Max Tonneau

 

I can tell the service department at your dealer doesn't know what they are talking about because:

The 5.4 doesn't have lifters or rockers. It's an overhead cam engine, and the 5.4 from a Navigator is a double overhead cam. If you look at the front of the valve cover you see a half round cover, thats the timing gear.

Spec sheet: http://www.fordvehicles.com/common/popup.asp?pid=689

As for the tapping it might be a broken valve stem or cam lobe. I can see the blower having effect on them if cylinder pressure was to much.

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<A HREF="http://www.firezap.url4life.com" TARGET=_blank> </A>


GOLD RUSH

'99 F150 XLT SC SB 4x2 Harvest Gold
Factory
5.4 - 3.55 limited slip - Trailer towing package - In-dash CD player

Aftermarket
Ford Beanie bear - Slip on extender mirrors - Powerstop brake controller - Covermaster C1000 topper with wing - BugflectorII Ventvisors (front&rear) - Ford Lumi Logo (Front & Rear)- Steelhorse Billet grill - Ford hitch cover - Yellow wire loom - Hyper White head light bulb - Painted to match AVS slotted taillight covers - Ford system 4 alarm - Clear turn signals - "Blazer" strip reflectors under tailgate - FORD script antenna painted to match - Cup holder courtesy lights - IonOptics driving lights as reverse lights - 12 Volt power outlet in bed - Power port/Cigarette lighter courtesy light - K&N filter W/ Airbox removed) - Matching steering wheel cover - Painted engine compartment -Airhorn (Compressor and 1 gallon tank) - 1 set 6" 150 watt sealed beam offroad lights (Black) - 1 set 5" 100 watt offroad lights (Black) - 1 set Rally 35 watt driving lights (used as DRL) - 55 watt curb side courtesy lights - White face gauge kit - Door sill protector (4 color matched)

On Order
1 set oval fog lights

Next who knows???

<A HREF="http://njf150truckclub.homestead.com" TARGET=_blank> </A>
firezapper@f150world.net

[This message has been edited by Firezap (edited 06-27-2001).]

 

B Johnston, I take it you have a Banks S/C? Did you have a qualified Banks dealer put it on or did you do iy yourself?
Dogcam

 

Banks is mostly diesel stuff( to my knowledge). They did not install the S/C. I did it myself. There is nothing wrong with the S/C, in fact there's nothing wrong with the truck other thn this tick. I don't know what's causing it and do not want to grenade the motor if it's serious.

 

You may find that the noise is nothing more than the injectors. My ranger did that and I though it was a lifter as well. Maybe a cleaning would help.



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99 F-150 XL 4x4. Reg Cab Flareside 4.6 5spd, 3.55LS. gibson 3" cat-back, K&N Gen ll.Westin step bars.Ventshade window deflectors and bug deflector. rhino liner and a cool white shifter ball.

 

Who did you have clean the injectors?
I talked to the service manager this afternoon and he said he was waiting on a response from the zone rep. He said it wasn't his call, but even if the damage wasn't caused by the s/c Ford will void the warranty. That doesn't make sense to me. Before I get all excited I have to find out how much it will cost to tear into the motor. I do think its interesting that the Ford dealer knows what the problem is and will not cover it based on how it "sounds” Anyone else have any good "sound" based examinations???? I started telling him about my information regarding Magnusson Moss and Banks. He said Banks is full of BS and Banks just bought two motors. He said they are also voiding warranties on anyone running chips!!!


[This message has been edited by BJohnston (edited 06-27-2001).]

 

I am not too familiar with the position in the truck on a 5.4..can you pull the valve covers and run it to see if it is the valve train? You may be able to turn it to each cylinder and check the lash...I know it is overhead cam, however there has to be some hydraulic's to take up the lash, unless it has solids...If it is solid then it may just be a loose valve adjustment.

Anyone out there know if the valve train is hydraulic or solid?????

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2000 F250 PSD Auto 19+mpg PIII propane exhaust Ramair ThermoWrapped
2001 SuperCrew 4.6 auto 19+mpg K&N
1969 Mach1 351C 4spd 3.50 LS Autocrosser

 

On the V-8 's , there are hydraulic lash adjusters as you can see on page 2B-10 in the 97-99 Haines Ford pu manual

 

Anyone had the heads off for repair? How much was it. Ford is still declining any responsibility, regardless of cause. I have to see how much it costs to determine problem vs. seeking legal advice.

 

Ford has said they will not cover any engine damage whether the super charger is at fault or not. I told them to go in and find out what the problem is. I still have not seen where in our warranty manuals it specifies that a S/C can void the engine warranty? I'll keep you posted.

 

I just got my truck back from the dealer. No more tick, not lifters and not rods. The super charger kit had the wrong washer included for the crank pulley. This left about an 1/8" gap between the end of the crank and the two gears that drive the camshafts. This allowed them and the exciter ring to smack back and forth. This also cured a problem I had with engine cut out at high rpm. (The exciter ring detrmines spark).

 

I'm glad you found the trouble,I imagine your quite relieved as well. Just for future reference,one of the best dealers in Houston is Tommie Vaughn Ford.
They are at Shepherd and eleventh,and they never have treated me badly at all. They also have a phenomenal parts dept. All you can see is performance parts when you walk in the door. I recently met a guy at a gas station with a 5.0 Mustang,and he is sponsored by them. The car runs high elevens,and is street driven. Very performance oriented dealer if you ask me.,,,,,98