5.4L engine is ticking.

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 14, 2010 | 03:18 PM

Stangfire

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 230

Likes: 0

From: Manitoba, Canada

5.4L engine is ticking.

I have an 2003 F150 4x4, 5.4L, Auto with 80,000 kms. The truck is babied and has always had regular oil changes.

I have a ticking sound coming from it that is mostly noticable when the engine is cold. Once the engine warms up it's not really noticable.

One person said it's a lifter, another person said timing chain.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Oct 14, 2010 | 07:45 PM

70f100longbed

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 1,899

Likes: 29

From: Raleigh USA

I would first check all the plugs to make sure they are tight. Then check all the exhaust gaskets and manifold studs. I doubt its a lifter or chain.

Oct 15, 2010 | 08:35 PM

windstar99

New User

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

If everything else checks out, it sounds a lot like Piston Slap. Audible piston slap is typically loudest when the engine is first started up. The pistons then expand with heat reducing the piston to cylinder bore clearance thus, reducing the perpendicular impact of the piston against the cylinder wall and its resulting noise. Piston slap is common with 5.4 engines until 2004 (5.4 was redesigned). As long as there's no metal (or your piston rods) in the oil pan, there's not much that can be done. I live in Northern Ontario, and my truck (2002 Super Crew, 148,000 kms) and I have had it for the last 3 years with no issues. Now that it is getting cold, the noise is coming back. Then goes away once the engine warms up.

Oct 16, 2010 | 12:56 PM

Naviadvi

New User

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

I know the ticking your speaking of. Heard it for a while but couldn't quite figure it out. It's the sound of a plug about to blow. Had it happen twice on my Triton. It was when it happened the second time that I realized that that tick/psst sound was air seeping from the around the spark plug (#4) in the back before it blows out. Hope this helps.