I have a '97 F150 5.4 liter (automatic) with 36,000 miles. I am hearing what appears to be lifer noise on the right side of the motor while accelerating from a stop or at any speed. Also can duplicate the sound if apply brake while in "drive" and load motor. The noise is more pronounced during acceleration but remains at a lower level afterwards. It sounds like a low level tick from a single head source.

Anyone experience this sound or problem and know of some potential causes?

Thanks.

 

I have a 98 4.6 F-150 with 70K miles. I am also hearing a ticking noise coming from the right side when the engine is under load. Mine doesnt start until the engine warms up. You can't hear it as well from under the hood, but if you stick your head under the right fender, right above the tire, you can hear it well. It's loud enough that it worries me. If anybody knows what this is, I would appreciate some info.

 

The 4.6 and 5.4 are overhead cam engines and do not require lifters, therefore the noise has to be something like valve lash settings or in the case of the 4.6 where you have to listen for noise in the wheel well it is more than likely exhaust noise. I had a 4.6 with similar slight noise and after installing headers the ticking got more pronounced to the point of bothersome at first. Drove the truck for well over 100,000 miles before selling it and never had problems other than exhaust ticking although there was no leaks. If the ticking noise is related to valve lash settings the noise should be mostly on top of the engine, maybe due to milege on the engine, etc.

 

Please refer to WWWES message. I believe he has the answer - exhaust noise. I took my truck to the dealer this week. The mechanic said it definitely wasn't a lifter noise. He suspected an exhaust leak in the manifold/head area, after listening in the wheel well area. To do the job right according to his standards, he wanted to replace header and gasket ($500). I decided to hold off on the repair and inspected the area later that evening at home. I found that the upper stud holding the manifold at the rear most exhaust port was broken off. This is probably the cause of my noise. I will attempt to replace the stud and gasket shortly.