When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've been watching this thread waiting to learn about swirl flaps. It appears you are referring to the intake manifold runner control. I had an issue with that on my 2000 Contour (2.5L V6). When the IMRC was malfunctioning there was a noticeable difference in engine power.
What it does is change the airflow in such a way to increase power at certain RPM's. If you disable/override yours, you will be disappointed.
Your photo is the first indication so far that the 5.4 does have swirlflaps.
No unfortunately it isn't, that photo is something I pulled off the web and it is the intake off a 4-cyl Ford motor which has these swirl flaps obviously, I couldn't find any pictures of them on a V8 motor so I'm still in doubt that this is your problem.
I pulled that component above. I'll try to explain how this lower intake works (please excuse any/all assumptions!), then post a couple pics.
So, from the throttle body above, air enters this lower intake. The lower portion is split into two compartments - so half the air goes to the right compartment, half goes to the left. There are then runners that go from this lower intake back up into the upper intake. Each runner connects to a runner that leads directly to each cylinder. From the lower intake, 2 runners feed the left bank of cylinders and two feed the right.
The valve in the picture seems to be an equalizer or something between the two compartments in the lower intake. Not sure what it does other than that. It certainly couldn't be making the noise described by the OP, and it sits at the front of the engine, behind the alternator. In fact, I don't see anything intake related that could be making a noise described by the OP. I wish we could get a listen to it.
Anyway, here are the pics:
The valve. It's solid. Not obvious due to the lighting in the pic.
Looking into the lower intake from the valve mounting location.
Well based on those pics I'd say the possibilities are limited to just a couple things for Stucky, either that valve has become disconnect and is rattling around inside the intake or there is some other foreign material in there that is also too big to get sucked into the engine.
Well based on those pics I'd say the possibilities are limited to just a couple things for Stucky, either that valve has become disconnect and is rattling around inside the intake or there is some other foreign material in there that is also too big to get sucked into the engine.
Still here guys I had to stop work on the van and replace a hot water heater which included new floor painting etc. You might be on to something with the front control valve rattling around inside the intake manifold. How ever even with the rattling the van is running fine. I can't get you an audio but will get a pic of the area of all the noise soon.
Maybe the valve isn't broken it's just worn and wobbling around, the good news is you may not have to remove the intake to find out, just remove the alternator and then pull that device off the lower intake.
It has taken a bit to get back to my intake manifold so here is where I am at. I have removed the intake manifold. There is an upper and lower manifold. The lower manifold at the forward end right behind the alternater has an intake runner control valve, there lies the problem. Once removed the valve has a flap that rotates 90 degrees on command from what I understand at 3000 RPM to change the air flow inside the lower manifold plennum. That runner valve is the problem it has failed and is clattering. My problem now is finding another valve. I have checked out local parts houses and been all over the internet with no luck. Finding any information about this particular valve has been little to none. Once again I have a 1997 E250 Econoline Tritton 5.4. Does anyone have helpfull information?
02-25-2017, 12:13 PM
