Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

4.6 is tapping!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 13, 2014 | 10:54 AM
  #1  
tylerz71's Avatar
tylerz71
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
4.6 is tapping!

2000 F150 4x4 with the good ol 4.6. Just bought the truck from a mostly-hearing impaired man for $1250. runs good but truck has what seems to be an upper engine tapping/slapping noise. previous owner was told it was manifold gasket and has been driving it for 20k+ like this. removed belt to verify not a pulley. tone does not change hot-cold but does of course with rpm. Im thinking broken timing chain guides, mostly passenger side. Have not had time to pull valve cover to check tension. To me it is not worth putting new guides on because at 200K the rear end and master cyl are also going bad. Here is my question; how lon do these engines usually last like this? debating on parting out or selling as is OR replacing rear end and riding it till the Triton calls it quits. thoughts?
 
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2014 | 11:13 AM
  #2  
David7.3's Avatar
David7.3
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,206
Likes: 3
From: Oakhust NJ Jersey Shore
Hey, you didn't pay that much, I think this motor was pre cam phasers right, there is no solenoids on the front of the valve covers right? Rear end is cheap, you could swap out the hole thing with one from the bone yard, or rebuild it, its mostly spider gears, the axles will be fine worst case ring and pinion. $500 bucks. You could have a stretched timing chain, there are 2 on this motor, 1 per side, Take a long screwdriver 24" and put the handle to your ear and place the other end around were you hear the noise, they are machined surfaces, they dont use cam bearings. Just please be careful you have a serp belt spinning and the fan, take your time and hold the screwdriver in different places till you find the noise. Could be a stuck lifter or bad lifter, even a timing chain job is not that bad. could be worth holding on too.
 
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2014 | 11:23 AM
  #3  
tylerz71's Avatar
tylerz71
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Yes this is pre cam phasers. I didn't know if a lifter would be this audible on the modular but that is another thing to check I guess. Tried using pry bar as stethoscope and couldn't pinpoint but does sound like passenger side front cover middle area. Only code in truck is egr and o2 no misfire so I figure it hasn't jumped time or anything. The oil was nasty I put new 5w20 and motorcraft filter but noise didnt change at all
 
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2014 | 02:26 PM
  #4  
tylerz71's Avatar
tylerz71
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
No more input? I've been driving the truck all day today and really like it. Planning on a used rear end and keeping it. Engine is strong to be making noise too and still hits 60 in about 10 sec lol
 
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2014 | 10:20 PM
  #5  
F91's Avatar
F91
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Port Orchard, WA
Mine has 244K. I just changed the oil yesterday to a 5w30. Noticed a little more noise on startup this morning, but went away after a few minutes warming up. I love this truck, If I were you, I'd definitely keep it. Great truck and you've got very little in it.
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2014 | 09:36 AM
  #6  
z 97ford1's Avatar
z 97ford1
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 12
From: arizona
Mine had a tapping as well but only on start up. Went away after a couple of min. Now it's on the bench (rebuild) and What I see is stuck "OIL RINGS", in the compressed position.
Carbon build up. Everything else perfect.
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2014 | 02:11 PM
  #7  
tylerz71's Avatar
tylerz71
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Mine never stops lol I wish I could post a video it sounds a lot like a diesel especially from the cab. If it'll make it to 250k like this it'll have paid for itself
 
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2014 | 08:21 PM
  #8  
tylerz71's Avatar
tylerz71
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Since nobody had had this exact scenario I guess ill be the test dummy. Lol it's at 215,200 let's see how long it'll go. I will keep updated every now and then
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Sep 21, 2014 | 08:24 PM
  #9  
tylerz71's Avatar
tylerz71
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Also a local ford mechanic agreed with me on it being a timing chain noise via a stethoscope. So either it's gonna jump time, break or eat thru the front cover we will see
 
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2014 | 10:04 PM
  #10  
F91's Avatar
F91
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Port Orchard, WA
If that's the only noise, I'd really think about making repairs. Like others have said, a rear end and a master cylinder are cheap fixes. Sure , other stuff may go, but you are still in it really cheap.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jwcanter
2004 - 2008 F150
5
Apr 2, 2016 07:44 AM
TritonPower
1997 - 2003 F150
8
Sep 24, 2015 06:02 AM
Driftboat
1997 - 2003 F150
12
Feb 14, 2008 01:51 AM
mf13368
Modular V8 (4.6L, 5.4L)
2
Jul 3, 2003 07:34 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:53 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE