Hey everyone, newbie here. We own a 2004 Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L 2 valve. We purchased it around 5-6 months ago and I have always wondered about this noise it makes at idle. I've done a bit of reading around the web and forums about the 5.4L, 2 valve and 3 valve. Now I first thought it might have been cam phasers but noticed that was only an issue with the 3 valves, not the 2 valves. We also owned a 2000 eddie bauer 5.4 which made the same noise at idle, it had 290,000kms when we got rid of it, this one only has 223,000kms. Last oil change we used conventional valvoline 5w30 with a motorcraft oil filter from the ford dealer. Is this normal? Anything to worry about? Any idea as to what it could be? Thanks a lot guys/gals! Now, the first video is about 5 seconds after a cold start, the noise is audible but more-so towards the end of the video around the 45-50 second mark. It gets quieter when its warmed up and driven for a bit but you can still hear it, not as loud though. Sorry, just realized the files are too big, will have to upload them to youtube and post the links here, will post in a bit

 

Here is right after a cold start:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcW9...ature=youtu.be

 

Video after driving around the block a few times:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RFe...ature=youtu.be

 

So hard to diagnose. I owned a 99, ran it to 250k and it was running great when i sold it. The day i got it i noticed a light tap at idle. My 04 i just got w inky 139k on it? Same exact sound. They have an inherent idle tap noise in all 2V 5.4s (i am GUESSING).
Yours? It's do very tough to tell. Heat will reduced piston "slap" but it sounds a bit deeper. Like a rod knock. Then again, you're not gonna last long if it really is rod knock so i wouldn't assume that's it.
My best guess is that these trucks have an inherent noise in the valve train. Could be chain could be springs getting weaker and causing harder valve closings but I'm really just tossing stuff out.
You'll know if it gets worse, otherwise i would just drive it. Sorry i can't offer more assistance. Use a mechanics stethoscope. They are very handy.

 

I agree that its hard to diagnose. I feel like it may be piston slap or just normal noise from these triton engines, so far every expedition i've seen/heard running of similar years makes a similar noise. I'm starting to think i should just "go with it" and see what happens. If it gets worse i'll look into it more. Thanks!

 

Best thing I can recommend is to get a mechanics stethoscope, then try to pinpoint where the sound is coming from. These are known for developing a leak in the manifold on the passenger but I don't think this sounds like that.

 

Thanks for the replies. Yeah my parents just took the truck on an 800km round trip for 2 weeks, i mean it runs great and everything just hearing that knocking/slapping sound is a bit unsettling as i'm used to hearing engines be nice and quiet! Do you guys think oil weights have anything to do with it? I'm already using genuine ford filters, but we've only had it long enough to change the oil once. Synthetic or conventional? I guess i can try and pinpoint the noise once they get back. We bought the thing for $900 and have only spent $400 on tires and $20 on an air filter so i mean its not like we have thousands invested in it, so if the engine does die in won't be a huge huge loss, but i'd still like to know why it makes that noise!

I came across this video on youtube: You can hear the exact same noise at the 5:55 mark when the song stops, kind of glad our trucks not the only one haha.

 

Honestly, I think this is a Ford 5.4 noise. I swear, I hear a Ford idling or starting, and I don't have to even see it... I just know it's a Ford, because they have a very distinctive sound. Especially starting.

 

Yeah I agree that it sounds like a 5.4 noise, I swear every time i hear a similar noise its always from an expedition. Every other f150 i hear either has a cam phaser tick or an exhaust manifold tick haha. I guess only time will tell. One last question of mine would be if 5w20 oil should be used only or is 5w30 okay? I guess I will do further research in the forums and see if I can find an answer to that. Thanks guys!

 

I've been using 5-30 conventional in mine pretty much since I got it. I tried high mileage a few times, but it actually burned more oil than the conventional.

 

I have an '02 Navigator which is pretty much the same engine; besides different heads. It makes the same noise on startup for 10-20 seconds, a bit longer when it's colder out. Once it's warm the noise is gone. I use synthetic 5w-30 and always a Motorcraft filter, so it's not an oil drain back issue.
I just live with it and assume it's some kind of tolerance issue that some engines have.

Strange enough I never heard a 4.6 make this noise though.

 

So, I think I may possibly have found a solution from a gentleman on youtube. His truck has the exact same noise as our vehicle, shown here in his first video

He then found the solution to the problem here in his 2nd video


He didn't show the truck running after his fix, but I will have to check our expedition with a stethescope once my parents are back from their trip. I guess we shall see if the catalytic converter is the source of this noise. Thanks