I have a 2003 F150 4.6 romeo with 115k that has ticking noise after warming up. It will also kick the oil light on as well. However, i can turn it off, start it back up and the light will stay off for a period of time, then trip back on. No loss of power, no increase in ticking noise, no oil in water and no water in oil. Now i have resigned myself to the fact that it is most likely ready for a rebuild. My question is what engines are interchangable or is there an on line reference to what can be put in there. Ford says that only a 4.6 romeo from 2002-2003.....from what i am reading and finding out is this wasn t the best engine on a good day. I can get a used 5.4 about 400 cheaper than a 4.6. Any help is greatly appreciated. DV

 

You've been reading wrong.
The 4.6L is a tough small V-8 that'll do alot more than it's given credit for.
At 115K miles, unless you've run it low or dry on oil, there's no reason it needs a rebuild.
JL

 

Seems there is very little info on the romeo engine that i can find. As far as running low on oil, not done, have followed Ford's recommended service regime very closely. Once in a while when out on road between jobs may have had 4000 miles instead of 3k between oil changes. Have always used Motorcraft filters and Castrol oil. Thanks for your insight. DV

 

Then barring a defective mechanical parts failure-that engine is in great shape. There are only minute differences in the Romeo and Windsor engines,nothing related to reliability or toughness at all. It's probably a valve lash adjuster ticking a bit, or a chain tensioner loosening up a bit at low RPM and lower oil pressures. Nothing I'd worry about unless it got progressively louder over time.
JL

 

Johnny,
any idea about the oil light? should i put a mechanical gauge on it? Driving me crazy! I am big ole boy riding around in toyota tacoma and i miss my space. Thanks, Darrell

 

It probably need a new sending unit.But,if you're concerned about it-grab a cheapie mechanical gauge,and install in temporarily(just run the oil pressure supply line up over the engine,out the back of the hood and stick the gauge on the wiper arm) just so you can see the pressure. Hot idle should be 12-25 psi,and hot cruising speed (~2K rpms) should be 40-50 psi.
JL

 

i'll try that this afternoon. Thanks for the insight! I'll post back what i come up with. dv

 

well follow up isn't pretty. I put a mechanical gauge on and on cold crank registered between 16-20 psi and no rattle. Once rpms were increased psi increased to 48-52. I let the truck sit idling until oil got warmed and lo and behold oil gauge dropped to 4 psi and it rattled like a singer sewing machine. I immediately turned it off. I now realize that i will need to replace it or rebuild it. While researching replacements i find that only 2002 and 2003 4.6 Vin W is all listed for this truck. I have my eye on a 2006 4.6 Vin W with low milage. What is the chance this will work? any help is most welcome. Thanks, Darrell