Help with ticking
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From: Orange County, CA
Help with ticking
Alright, so I've researched the ticking coming from the 5.4 in my 07. Hoping somebody here can help shed some light before I tear into the motor. Here's some info. Truck has 123xxx miles on it, oil has always been Motorcraft 5w-20 and Motorcraft 820S filter. No codes or check engine light, no loss of power, truck drives as usual. Plugs done about 40000 miles ago by dealer. All coils tested and are good. Coming from passenger side bank, from area of front 2 cylinders is a ticking, similar to a lifter sound. Its not the click of the injectors. Speeds up with RPM, does it at all RPM. Exhaust manifold not cracked or missing bolts. I know I might have to pull the head, kind of counting on it. But any clues how I should proceed? I hate not having my truck, its been sitting now for a couple months because of this issue.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Raleigh USA
It could be a loose spark plug, leaking manifold gasket even though none of the bolts appear broken, or bad cam follower. Pull the coils and if any boots have brown soot on them then that plug is loose. If those are ok then look for black soot around the exhaust manifold gaskets. You may need a mirror and a flashlight to see the whole gasket. Sometimes the studs break and are hanging on by a thread so they are still there just not holding anything. If thats good then pull the valve cover and inspect the cam lobes for any scoring. The rollers can seize and drag on the cam causing a noise and excessive wear.
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From: Orange County, CA
Haven't even gotten started on it. Long hours 6 days at work have been keeping me busy. Was going to start it this Sunday. Im going to start with removal of the passenger side valve cover and see if anything looks abnormal. From what I heard i might have to evacuate the AC to do it, but I'm hoping not. Has anybody here ever removed the valve cover? Any first hand experience hints?
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From: Orange County, CA
Reviving my old thread, but finally tore into the motor a bit to see what is going on. After taking off the Vance cover all looks good...except for a cam lobe with some scoring. Included is a picture. I've never dealt with overhead cam motors, so can anybody she'd some light on what could be the cause here? The scoring is only on that part of the lobe, rest is nice and smooth. I'm thinking I'm looking at having to replace the cam, no saving the cam, correct? Any other help is much appreciated.
After looking close at the damaged area I think I figured the cause. The roller on the follower has failed. The cam lobe is actually touching the follower, not sitting above it slightly, as the others are.
After looking close at the damaged area I think I figured the cause. The roller on the follower has failed. The cam lobe is actually touching the follower, not sitting above it slightly, as the others are.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,899
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From: Raleigh USA
That would be the scored cam lobe I mentioned. Its a good thing you caught it before the follower got thrown off. That can do all kinds of damage like dropping the valve into the cylinder and eating a piston. That cam and follower are done and need to be replaced. If you just replace the follower the damaged lobe will quickly damage the new follower. Ford has a timing chain wedge tool that allows you to remove the phaser without pulling the timing cover or chain. quick fleabay search for the tool Mark the chain and the phaser before you pull it off. Then you loosen each cam cap bolt a few turns at a time until you can remove the caps and cam. Check all of the follower rollers for any play and replace them if play is felt.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Orange County, CA
Thanks, that confirms what I figured. I have so far figured I'll order a new cam and followers for the affected cylinder and then check the other followers for any play. If they are even marginal they will be replaced. It actually wasn't as bad to pull the cover as I have read. I didn't have to drop the engine or anything like that. Most I did was remove wheel well liner to gain access
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