So my 1998 f-150 with 5.4 had a lifter issue, went out to start it one morning and it started, then ran like crap and then would not run worth a crap. after lots of cussing and swearing removed the valve covers, and found that the drivers bank some how spit out two roller fingers to the side and thus the intake valves would not open anymore causing the (almost no run) condition. I didn't notice anything wrong with either part, lifter, or roller finger but a ford tech suggested replacement anyway. installed new lifters (hvla) and roller fingers and motor was perfect after that.


so now my 2000 V10 is starting to give me what sounds like a lifter tick when I start it cold. I have checked the studs on the exhaust manifolds and the tick is very lifter like and after a bit it instantly stops. This leads me to believe its not a exhaust leak. some times the tick will last 10 sec some times it will continue to tick for several min. then like I said instantly stop, not gradually stop like an exhaust leak but almost as if someone flips a switch.


sorry for the long description but I believe the lifters (hvla's) and roller fingers are the same on both v10 and 5.4 engines.


anyone else have this problem. I just don't want this thing kicking a foller finger off and stranding me some where.

 

so an update, today at lunch I went out and started truck to warm it up while I was making some phone calls. it was ticking very very loudly, I reved it a few times no higher than 2k and then instantly the noise stopped.


no one has any info on this.. other times when I start it there is no ticking at all on cold starts.

 

How much aggravation is it to remove the valve covers and check things out?

If its sounds and acts similar to your other problem and cure a bit of investigation might save you down time later on.

Hope its nothing expensive or labor intensive.

 

Sounds like (pardon the pun), it could be a timing chain tension-er not tightening the chain in the cold, then when you rev the engine the oil pressure increases and tightens the chain. Are you running 5W-20 motor oil?

 

I know the 5.4 are known to have cam phaser issues on higher mileage engines. which I have heard to be a knocking sound. I assume the v10 could be suspect to the same problem. Just a thought.

 

I think someone had trouble with the valve cover on the pcv valve side, like the inside was broken off, not sure the sound symptoms (like whether rpm related) , but if the noise sounds like its near the pcv valve, it might be worthwhile to pull it and see

 

how many miles?

 

Only the 3V 5.4l has cam phasers for the VVT. The V10 never got VVT thus no cam phasers.

 

the truck has 184k on it. no leaks, noting, motor looks like its new ha ha. I run bmw 5w30 engine oil in this vehicle. in my opinion its the best oil you can buy period. but that is just me.


its a 2000 so that year called for 5w30 originally and was changed to 5w20 in 2001. I ran 5w20 in my truck for one oil change and I noticed increased oil consumption. changed back to 5w30 and no more oil consumption. but for cold starts they are the same hence the 5w part of the rating.


I will pull the valve covers off this next weekend and take a look. the problem is that its not 100 percent of the time that this happens. it seems to do it every other day or so. like something sticking or such. (chain tensioner comes to mind) who knows.