Help with broken truck
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New User
Joined: Sep 2006
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Help with broken truck
Hi folks - newbie here. I am not an experienced mechanic so apologies for the lack of knowledge. I need some help, though. I have a 2004 5.6L 3V triton. The other day it started making a strange clicking noise from the engine area. I dropped it off at the mechanic who proceeded to tell me to trade it in. It seems he has heard all of the stories about the spark plug spitting problem. Since trade in is not an option, I found this site and learned of the possible fixes. The noise I heard sounds quite similiar to the predecessor to the plug spit, so I thought I would try to torque the plugs to see if that helps. So, that is what I did. Or at least thought I did. However, I screwed up something. I put everything back together and now when I connect the battery there is a rapid electrical clicking noise coming from the back of the truck. Perhaps the fuel filter? I don't know what it is. The truck wont start at all (yes the battery is charged). Being the non experienced mechanic, I thought I would check with you more knowledgeable and see if you have thoughts. Since I disconnected the battery do I need to reset something? Any ideas?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,725
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From: Florence,SC
is your pats light flashing?
the clicking noise you hear when it was running was more than likely the cam phaser. not a big deal but a experienced person does need to do the job. no damage is being done to the engine.
the clicking noise you hear when it was running was more than likely the cam phaser. not a big deal but a experienced person does need to do the job. no damage is being done to the engine.
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Thanks for the feedback hllon4whls and bowtiehatr. I was being a bit dumb and did not have a good connection on the battery. It starts fine now. The clicking is still there. Seems louder on the passenger side lower end than anywhere else. I will see if I can research the cam phaser and see if that sounds the same. Any ideas what the cost is to fix something like that? The mechanic I went to said the engine was pretty bad based on all of the service reports he has gotten but I want to get another opinion.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 324
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From: Southern USA
what your hearing may well be the fuel injectors, i've seen lots of posts on the 5.4 injectors clicking, i remember one guy said his almost sounded like a diesel! i know he was exagerating a bit. I dont know about the cam phaser, but if its the injectors, i wouldn't worry about it. just drive it! BTW, the plug spitting was supposedly fixed around 2001-2002. Ford almost doubled the length of the thread engagement of the plugs. If your mechanic is reputable, & experienced, he should already know this.....my .02 ....paul.. and welcome to the forum!
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Florence,SC
with three valve engine the cams are electronically ajusted for optimum timing. these are great engines. i have seen alot of these come in with the phaser making the noise you describe. the phaser is very sensitive and it does not like to be handled roughly because of the way its made. run it by your local dealer, they should recognize the noise right off the bat.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
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Being a 04 it is possible its stillunder warranty. You did'nt mention one way or the other. The dealer will fix the cam phaser under warranty if your still under warranty. The injectors can have a diesel type sound. my wife's o4 sounds like that but my 05 doesnt. Glad to hear you got your truck running again.
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It's not under warranty. About 48k miles. It is a very lound noise. It started one day and was very faint and by the next day it was very loud. I revved the engine some as the notes I have seen say that it will make the noise go away. The problem is that I was alone and the engine was too loud so I dont know if the noise went away or was just masked by other noises. I will drive it down to the dealership and see what they say. It is a 50+ mile drive so hopefully nothing will go wrong between here and there.
Thanks again for the info and help.
Thanks again for the info and help.
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