It runs just fine under about 3k rpm, even with the awful ticking sound. Will the IMRC usually throw a code if it's bad? I still do not have any codes coming up.

 

And even when it does hit 3k rpm, it doesn't necessarily run rough, it just revs slowly and doesn't go anywhere when you floor it. Imagine sprinting, but through water...it's just being held back.

 

That sounds exactly like my old Contour felt when the IMRC failed.

 

Just saw this post. Had a 2011 F150 that something similar occurred. At 4000 rpm it was like the truck was choking out. Literally like it couldn’t go any faster. Went into the dealer under warranty. They found out the fuel pump in the tank was going bad. About 1200 bucks- covered under warranty.

 

Had cats replaced. Problem still there. Zero codes.

Still had the ticking noise so I decided to pull the passenger side valve cover. Found a seized roller follower. Cam lobe is trashed.

I need to replace the cam, roller followers, and possibly the lash adjusters. I know I need the wedge tool, but do I need the special valve compressing tool to remove the followers if I'm going to be removing the cam anyway?

Also, with the valve cover off, I noticed that the timing chain is a bit loose...how loose are they supposed to be? Do they tighten up when the engine is running?

 

I think most of your questions can me answered by this series of videos


If these don't help, search his channel for anything and everything about the 5.4. I don't remember if it is in this series of videos or in one of his other ones, but he shows you how-to pull the followers without any special tools. Can be done with a regular pry bar.

Check it out and see what you find on his channel. You won't find a better set of tutorials on the interwebs.

If you can't find what you need post back and I'll help you looks some more.