Engine noise

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Oct 27, 2016 | 01:17 PM

flyingtexan

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Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 166

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From: Texas

Engine noise

My 2002 F250 with the 5.4 (215,000 miles) has a loud tap upon start up, only on the passenger side, heard best in the wheel well. It only lasts about 30 seconds to a minute. Any ideas? It occasionally rears it's head driving around town but only intermittently. Just drove it 275 miles, at 13mpg, truck runs fine, just annoying.

Thanks in advance.

Oct 27, 2016 | 03:08 PM

Boaterguy

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Joined: Oct 2014

Posts: 962

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From: Middle TN

High mileage could always be a lifter noise. The 5.4 also had cam phasers. They are driven by oil pressure and when they wear out don't keep the correct tension on the timing chain. Mostly noticed at start up after sitting a while, motor will sound design like a sewing machine until oil pressure is built up. A single tick on one side can also be traced to an exhaust leak at the manifold.

Oct 27, 2016 | 04:36 PM

BigBlockF350

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Joined: Jan 2013

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From: VA

Like the last guy said, it could be a lifter. I would check and see if any of your exhaust manifold bolts are broken though, a very common issue on those engines.

Oct 27, 2016 | 04:40 PM

Mike189677

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 1,841

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Boaterguy

Op's 5.4 is an 02 so no cam phasers those didn't show up till 05

Oct 27, 2016 | 04:44 PM

Boaterguy

Laughing Gas

Joined: Oct 2014

Posts: 962

Likes: 114

From: Middle TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike189677

Op's 5.4 is an 02 so no cam phasers those didn't show up till 05

I was taking a guess, I never owned one. See, you learn something new every day!

Oct 27, 2016 | 07:01 PM

Kdr358

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Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 2,693

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From: West of Chicago

+1 on those pesky exhaust manifold studs... they snap off over time creating a small gap.

Once the engine warms up the metal expands and temporarily closes the gap

Oct 28, 2016 | 05:18 AM

redford

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 23,174

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From: Stephensville WI

Either exhaust manifold studs or a cracked passenger side exhaust manifold.

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Oct 28, 2016 | 05:57 AM

Ron94150

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Joined: Aug 2015

Posts: 3,146

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From: Maryville, TN

You could be on the verge of spitting a spark plug out. My dad had an 02 that developed a tick at @75k miles. It was intermittent at first, then continuous, then one day, it sounded like the right front tire exploded. And the truck started missing with a very loud lick. He thought he had broke a rod or something. It had shot out the passenger rear spark plug. Honestly, that's probably your best case scenario. The repair kit was @ $35 back then and took @ 45 minutes to repair, and some gorilla glue to repair the coil. Sure beats changing lifters or messing with corroded exhaust manifold bolts. But with your mileage, there's a good possibility of the valve train needing some attention somewhere. Could try some thicker oil or STP oil treatment just to see if it helps. That STP is good stuff.