My 2004 5.4 sounds like a diesel!
 

Ok I read through all the ford TSBs on the cam phaser and injecter noise ETC ETC. I have a 2004 ford F150 Fx4 with 180000Kms (114000 miles) On it, When i Start it up in the mornign I get a dieseling noise that sounds a lot like a old 7.3 diesel. When it is warm the noise goes away or at least it is quieter. I checked for exhaust leaks or loose plugs, I found a broken bolt on the exhaust manifold but when I used the thesoscope could not find any noise ommiting from it. Also the plugs are all tight ,I just changed them and just doubled check the recomended torque today they are good. The injectors sounds noise but it is hard to troubleshoot the noise when the hood is up, If you grab the injector or listen with the thesoscope it seems to be the same frequency of the noise, also the noise increases with rpm, but does not clear over 2000 Rpm. just gets flooded out by the engine noise. also if you through the truck in nuetral and unload the engine the noise is barely audible, If you hook up a camper and tow it it seems to greatly increase and sound like a diesel.
The truck runs great besides this noise, Any hints tricks or anything that might point me in the right direction as this dieseling is driving me nuts and I just dont want to bring it too the dealer and get drug over the coals!!!

Piston slap? I sure hope not.

Something to do with the VCT, there's a TSB and a few training vids on it from ford. Mine does it too... If I remember right, it doesn't hurt anything...

What oil filter are you using? Since the noise seems to get quieter after you start, I'm wondering if you're not using the Motorcraft filter with the check valve. Without the check valve, the oil leaks out thus making the dieseling sound. Between that and having the phasers changed, that's all but eliminated the issue in my 04.

What is involved to change the phaser, I have a ford oil filter in it.

Could also be the Lashers !

Spatts,

Is that Coeur d'Alene Lake in the back ground? Is your truck sitting on Hagadons property? LOL...looks like it.

My 2004 Does This Too. It Is Especially Noticeable Outside The Truck. But I Notice It The Most When Going Through A Drive-thru Service Window, When The Sound Bounces Of The Building. Not Sure What To Do Because The Truck Drives Great, And The Dealer Told Me This Version Of Engine Is, "a Noisy Engine."

I also have the same noise on my 04. I was thinking the same thing with the oil filter. I was planning on using a K&N (with check valve). Reguardless, when troubleshooting or randomly changing parts to cure a problem always start with the cheepest first. You'll be glad you didn't spend hundreds on a $10 problem.

I had an upper engine knock on my 05 with 5.4 the dealer replaced my cam phasers and lash adjusters on both sides of the motor have not had the sound ever since they did this under warranty. my personal opinion is any knocking noise coming from the motor can't be good or ok. the knock was only coming from the passenger side when I had this done.

My warranty has expired. Too bad for me....

anyone off-hand no volt head size? 14 mm?

bolt head size, for the exh. manifold/header...

how on earth can you see the bolts through the fender opening? I can't see much of anything.

My 04 5.4L runs a little noisy, it is not a knock, or a ping, just a noisy idle. Like the guy said before, more noticeable when it is bouncing off a building, like in a drive thru. In fact my wife even asked me at the Dairy Queen drive thru: "why is your truck clicking?" I told her that's just how it runs. It has done it ever since I had it, never gotten any worse. Most of you guys with this motor will know exactly what I am talking about. Yours sounds like a problem though. If is worse in the cold and then gets better as it warms up, plus the noises you described sound much worse than normal chatter.