Hi there, we got recently a F150, 2007, 4 doors, fx4, It has a 5.4l and 70k miles.

This week I notice some noise like tipical timing chain noise between 900 and 1000 RPM, but this noise is random, sometimes appears while engine is cold, sometimes while hot, last weekend I drove 1.200 miles and no noise but this morning went to bakery and noise present

It is using 10W30 and motorcraft filter and I'm wondering...

1. maybe it is having low oil pressure problems?
2. is there any plug on engine block to install an oil pressure gauge?
3. What should be the normal readings idling hot and 2000 rpm hot?

Thanks in advanced for your help

Note: Previous owner said he recently installed new tensioners and 2 chain rail

 

No ideas???

 

Start with using the right oil 5w20 then report back.

 

 

Well can you quiz the former owner as to what brand was put in for the tensioners and chain rail/guides? Was the original chain guides/rail broken up?? Did they drop the pan and make sure there was no debris in the pick-up screen of the oil pump?
Was the timing chains replaced as well? What about the phasers, were they changed too? Shucks what about the oil pump, was it changed?? If so, did they put the upgraded oil pump in with a stiffer backing plate?

 

Ok 5W20 on the truck and was on road for 1K miles. Now the ticking noise is continuous while hot idling and the rattling noise is always around 900 rpm. At normal driving RPM no noise is present.

It seems to me I have to read hot oil engine pressure ???

Note: when used oil was removed I notice some metallic color on oil, like steel dust, not big like sand particles or metal shaves

 

Ok previous owner replace just 2 Tensioners and 2 big black chain guides, original ford used he said. No broken guides/tensioners were found. No new oil pump, phaser, chains, nothing else. No oil pan removed.

I assume, had to check oil pressure first before disassembly anything.

What should be the minimum oil pressure at hot idling? at 2000 RPM???

 

It all points to a bad timing chain tensioner, the seal gets compromised, causing low oil pressure on the top end, replace asap with the updated tensioner.

 

Thanks for your help. I assume, had to check oil pressure before any disassembly right?

What should be the minimum oil pressure at hot idling? and at 2000 RPM???

 

not sure of the spec on oil pressure at 2000 RPM...but should be over 30 psi maybe closer to 50

 

This sounds exactly like what I have going on.

Is this a job a novice wrench turner can handle in a shop with basic hand and air tools?

 

It can be done....but....getting your engine in the correct timing position prior to removing the timing chains & making sure that your cams do not rotate while the timing chain is off is most important! There are special tool that help with holding the cam in position.

If things don't got well it can cost more than just some components. pretty sure there is some videos on YouTube....check them out and see if your up for it.

 

Ok guys some more Update...

Today I do an oil pressure test and found this readings:

Cold:
Idle 50 psi << No noise
1K RPM 65 psi << No noise
2K RPM 70 psi << No noise

Hot:
Idle 28 psi <<No noise
1K RPM 40 psi <<Very noisy timing chain
2K RPM 50 psi <<No noise

All those readings using Motorcraft 5W20. It seems to me pressure is enough to hold tensioners and chain in place, isn't it?

Tomorrow I´ll do a quick test using 15W40 and then will see...

 

Everything points to best option get a new full timing kit... I have read something about a improved VCT, oil pump, anything else??? I have read also about a improved melling oil pump???? In your opinion will be better original for Kit? or any aftermarket brand??

Any comment will be appreciated. Thanks !

 

Even with 40 psi if the timing tensioners has a bad enough leak it will cause the chain to slap on the guides.