Took the truck in yesterday to get my free oil change and diagnose the tick that started last week. I assumed it was the cam phasers and that I'd be spending around $1,500 to get them fixed - Ford Garage confirmed this Only owned the thing for 2 moths. **** happens.

I do have a question though. For all of you who have, or have had, this issue does it always sound similar to a diesel engine? I keep hearing this on all the post on here and other forums as well. The reason I ask is that mine sounds nothing like that. I've listened to clips on Youtube to confirm and the ticking sound that my truck is making is completely different than these "cam phaser" clips I'm hearing. The wrencher at Ford garage said that mine are in the "beginning stages" so this is why it might not sound like these other trucks...

I've read tons of stuff related to these issues. Changing the VCT Solenoid, running a different weight oil, etc etc. I just want to be as sure as possible that it's the cam phasers causing this sound and I'm not getting bent over here.

Also, I see that many folks continue to drive their trucks with this tick. I asked Ford and they said it would not hurt the truck to keep driving it this way either. I'm just not buying it...in my mind I can't see how it's possible to be "ok" to drive with an issue that's going to cost me $1,500 (at least) to repair. Thoughts?

 

Does the noise go away at about 1200 rpm? If so it is phaser related. I bought my 04 with 95k on it and it was ticking then. 107k on it now still ticks the same. A friend of mine has an 04 with 150k he says it was ticking when he got it with only 11k on it. Then again i have seen the phasers come apart on 2 different trucks now. In the end its a judgement call on your part but thats what i have seen (not counting what i have read about on this site). Hope it is of some help to you

 

It's honestly hard to tell if it disappears above 1200, I'm going to have to find someone who can get inside the cab and bring up the Rs while I stand outside. Inside the cab I can't hear it over the exhaust/engine very well. When the RPM is falling though, I can distinctly hear it.

I'm definitely going to get it fixed, if for no other reason than it being embarrassing as hell. I appreciate your input.

 

Well, I can tell you that 3 weeks agon i started my truck, 2005 King Ranch SCrew 5.4, and it started ticking like it had never done before. I took it to dealership for diag and repair, they replaced all 12 lifters on both banks, 4 cam rollers on each side and both cam phasers. Picked it up yesterday...still ticks. They say it is normal, I say riddle me this: I have owned the truck for 3.5 years and never heard that noise, one day it starts, you replace all that crap, it still makes the noise, and you want me to believe it is normal?

Anyone else have this issue and what the hell could it be! I crawl underneath and it seems like I can hear it the loudest directly under the rear of the engine, near the bellhousing. Sound is there at all RPMs and runs with the RPMs, so not an exhaust leak. I am completely baffled...

 

Did they replace the solenoids? Folks have said this is one of the main causes for the ticking sound.

 

No, they didn't replace the VCT solenoids, but the sound is louder when underneath the engine while running. If it was the solenoids, wouldn't the sound be more noticeable above the valve cover where they are located?

 

Tick Tock... it's just the noise that comes from the top end of this block...

 

I cannot tell if I have this issue...but I will listen to some youtube clips. But I think my truck always sounded a bit like diesel truck when idling. I bought the truck with 25000 and now it has 70000. No issues so far. But curious to know what kind of damage are we looking at if the cam phasers does go out? It is better to do a preventive change or wait to see if they blow?