I've got a 2003 f150 with the 5.4 and 128,000 miles with an engine tick. Its not an exhaust leak I know that for sure. It has came up in the last 20,000 miles. I've used motorcraft 5 20 w/ motorcraft filter. I've tried a kreen engine treatment with no change. Heres the description/syptoms:

-Slight clatter for 2-3 seconds upon cold startup (happens very rarely)
-top end ticking that is loudest and most noticable when warm (quieter when motors cold)
-not timing chains/tensioners etc because the noise is coming from the top end and most noticeable on the passenger side.
-at idle the tick is present-when you rev at idle, the noise goes away.
-Driving (or having the engine under any load for that matter) the noise gets louder.
-Anytime I accelerate, tow/haul, go up an incline the noise gets worse
-Sounds like a "whirring" sound from within the dash.

With all that said I am thinking the lash adjusters are getting noisy. I had a certified gm tech that has 40 yrs mechanic experience under his belt and builds prostreet muscle cars on the side look at it. He listened to it to it and that was his diagnosis as well as its not that bad so just live with it. The noise at idle doesn't bother me, its when im driving with the windows down. The noise drives me crazy and is a little annoying to me. Any thoughts on what is for sure and if its worth fixing? Heres a link to a video of the sound and keep in mind it is much louder now.
Triton engine noise/tick - YouTube

 

Sounds more like an exhaust leak than a tick? Though video cameras often don't catch the essence of the real sound. Mine has the very same symptoms. I know that extra sound under the wheel well is most likely the AC clutch. It makes a tick/rattle. I'm quite sure the valve train tick is a collapsed lifter. Mine used to do it only at cold start up, but now 30,000 miles latter it does it when warm also, especially when hot and under load.

I've got to put in some new valve cover gaskets before winter and will check and replace as necessary. I bought the lifter removal tool from Summit Racing. It uses the cam as a fulcrum to apply pressure to the valve spring so the follower can be removed and thus the lifter without taking out the camshaft.

 

I know for a fact its not an exhaust leak as I've already had to replace the passenger side manifold (the driver's side is about due up now too). Ill post an updated video tomorrow driving as well as idle and startup since its gotten louder since i posted the first video. Do you think its a repair that is necessary or worth the effort? And i guess tick was the wrong wording. Definately more of the top end clatter you can here in the video

 

Sorry it took so long.. heres a current video. 5.4 engine noise/tick pt 2 - YouTube

If you noticed the tick quiets down during rev (but only at idle). During acceleration (driving/under load) its worse. Definately comes from the top end, not the front cover

 

^^ Bump ^^

 

I know this thread is a few years old, but I have the same issue with my 2004 Expedition 5.4l, 2v. Did you ever narrow down the problem?

 

Very hard to hear anything from that video.

 

Nothing normal about that noise. I have owned 5.4s and now a 6.2. Even though the 5.4 issue was the notorious piston slap, it would quiet when there was some warmth in the engine. That 6.2 has a upper end noise somewhere cam follower or chain tensioning guide IMHO.

 

You know you just bumped a 7 year old thread right?

 

Sorry, my bad.