Hi guys, I have a minor problem and need some input. January of last year I bought a 2004 f250 (5.4). Like most other 5.4's similar to mine, it had developed an exhaust leak on both the driver and passenger side manifolds. Anyways, this weekend I spent 8 hours and cleaned up the manifolds (they were still in good shape) and installed new studs and gaskets. It made the exhaust leak go away, but I can still here a very small "ticking"/"pinging" noise almost like there is still an exhaust leak (and yes, the manifolds are tightened down correctly with the new gaskets and studs). The noise seems to be coming from the passenger side around the valve cover. The only reason I am concerned is I have to tow 6,000 lbs 350 miles this weekend and don't want any issues with my engine. I haven't checked for a loose spark plug yet, and it doesn't sound like a valve issue. Any ideas????

 

Sounds like it could be the all to common cam phaser noise. Its like a tick but not as eeek sounding. Mine has made that noise since I bought it with 70K she now has 212K and runs awesome. Check oil pressure with an external gauge. If its good and not a lighfter id suggest cam phasers

 

2 valve 5.4's do not have cam phasers

 

I have a 98 5.4 that makes that noise and was always told that's what it is. I know my 98 makes that noise maybe it isn't but its made a ticking for 100+K now. I have a 99 SD with a 5.4 and its quiet as a mouse. This makes me want to look into that 98 5.4 now.

 

Correct, 2v's dont have phasers. They do however, have lash adjusters in the heads that love to make noise. Does the noise go away when the engine revs up? How many miles does it have and what oil are you using?

 

Inspect the spark plugs in that area. You may have one that is getting ready to depart. Sometimes they can make a noise that sounds like an exhaust leak.

Make sure they are tightened down to the correct setting, which I think is 10ft/lbs.

 

So my 03' 5.4 doesn't have cam phasers, it has lash adjusters? These lash adjusters are for the valves?

Newest engine I've had is a 95' 5.8L so I'm kind of ignorant with these newer motors.

 

My dads 02 5.4 developed a hissing type tick just before it blew out the passenger rear sparkplug at 75k.

 

How loud was the noise from your dads truck before it blew out?

 

That's been about 10 years ago, so it's not fresh on my mind, but I do remember it being very noticeable. There is a long story behind it with the dealer screwing him and not covering it under an extended warranty then ford denying it. He didn't drive the truck for almost 2 weeks because the dealer said that was as soon as they could get to it and give him a loaner. We got there that morning and the dealer said they didn't have a loaner available. He had to have his tools for work so he drove the truck to the job sight and it rolled over 75k on the way. That afternoon it blew the spark plug out. Sounded like a grenade went off under the hood. He took it back to the dealer, dropped it off and they called him the next day with an ungodly repair bill for new heads. Told him it was out of warranty and nothing they could do. He drove it out of the service building and stopped right in front of the showroom and got out to let every customer around know how he had been treated. The truck sounded awful. A year later, that dealer was shut down. I glued the coil it snapped back together, and bought a heli kit for $30 something dollars from auto zone. Was fixed in 45 minutes and he traded the truck in at just under 100k with no more issues.

 

The "lash adjusters" are basically just hydraulic lifters on valve rocker. I'm not sure exactly what happens to them when they start making noise but my '04 does it too.

 

Yes, they are basically lifters. I will try to get a picture and post it to illustrate everything. The lash adjuster are pumped up with oil pressure through very tiny orifices. Any small piece of trash or thicker weight oil can cause these lashers to lock out and make noise, or they can collapse and not pump up and make noise.

 

I just took out all the spark plugs and cleaned them. None of them seemed to be loose. I torqued them to 18lbs when I put them back in.

 

That should give you some peace of mind! Mine has had a lash adjuster tick for over 20,000 miles and it doesn't affect anything other than being a little noisy at idle.

 

28 ft lbs is what your torqued the spark plug to?