I just bought a used 2004 F150 FX4 with the 5.4 lier engine. The truck appears to have been pampered with only 35k miles. Runs great but has a loud ticking noise on the passenger side of the engine that kinda sounds like an exhaust leak. Ive looked and its not the exhaust. Is this noise normal on these trucks? Any idea what it is? I was a diesel SuperDuty guy before do the F-150s are foreign to me.

Thanks,

Flash

 

If it sounds like a "little diesel" after engine is up to operating temp and knocks at 800 to 1500 rpm it is the cam phasers, very common on this engine, especially 04/05

 

No it's a loud tick. Sounds like exhaust but I dont think it is.

Flash

 

If you only hear it after the engine is warm it is cam phasers, the injectors do make noise also. If you do not hear it when engine is cold it is phasers.

 

Manifolds also crack... could be a good time for headers