I am the same way when it comes to changing oil.. I do it 98% of the time befor i reach 3000 miles.. I use 5-20 mc oil and the 820 O/F I tow alot with my truck and i use it like a truck but my truck is kept very well there are no dings or scratches in it... As long as i keep up on my maintenance . Great trucks...

Mark

 

I found this thread while desperately looking for an answer to my own ticking problem. My 04 5.4L ticks only when warm and only below 1000-1200 rpm. I bought this truck 5 weeks ago with 68000 miles and thought I got a decent deal. Now I wonder. This is the cleanest best cared for 5 year old truck I have ever seen. I have never seen a cleaner dip stick on a used truck. the previous owner was OCD about changing the oil every 2500 miles. I swear I didn't hear the tick when I test drove it but it came on shortly after I bought it...
Looks like I will be looking at replacing the heads or at least the cam phasers. Sure hate to tell the wife I am going to sink more of our kids' college money into my dream truck, but I can't afford to use my engine as an oil viscosity guinea pig. When it comes to trucks, I only buy fords and that has not been that often. My last one, a '98 Expy is still running smooth at 250000 miles. Never had to tear into the motor or trans...yet. always followed manufacturers specs for oil and filter, plugs etc. I expected the same from this one... Wish I had checked with you guys 6 weeks ago.

 

Don't beat yourself up about it. I bought my 04 just like you w/ 66k on it, and i didn't notice the tick until a few days after i got it. I figured it just needed an oil change,( it did, but didn't stop the tick). I now have 108K on it, runs fine, still ticks, and is still the best truck i've ever had. If you read more of these 'ticking' threads, you'll see that some have had it fixed, only for it to come back, and others only got it fixed if they had the extended warranty. But seems that most that just put up with it have had health lives with them, and I have only read two threads, out of all the people complaining, that have had a 'tick' related breakage.

 

i'm the exact same way, bought mine 3weeks ago, and it ticked when warm, after a couple 90mph runs to and from cleve/cols, it ticks all the time, luckily the bank talked me into a warranty, so i only have to pay the $100 deductible. it also has funny throttle respoinse, i think it needs a pcm update

 

I can hear a tick coming from the passenger side when driving beside a hard surface with the window down. Sounds exactly like an exhaust leak. Can't hear anything with the windows up. Doesn't matter what temperature it is, and I can't hear it outside the truck with the hood open, even revving. Maybe it is an exhaust leak

 

I also have a ticking motor. 06 F350. But my story is the engine has over 5000 hrs, truck has 62,500 miles. No warranty, just a beat up xl. Ill change it up here though, I HATE THIS TRUCK! What a joke this thing is. No power, pulling my jet ski I have to kick it down to hit 60 mph, and sometimes keeping it there will require the same. The evap system is shot, cel never goes away, 2 cracked manifolds replaced now, tranny does not enjoy going into gear the same day it was placed there. Like I mean, I dont care about your experiences but I will never buy or recommend anyone to buy a 250/350 with the 5.4. Although the f150s were awesome that I had with a 5.4.

Anyway, my question is could the cam phaser be a reason my truck is slower than a geo?

And I will definately be trying at least 10w30 as I want the engine to go. Legit reason to dump this thing!

 

Ok I will add to this thread.
Mine is in the shop as i type although i have noticed some other issues along with the tick.
52,000 on my 07 fx4, the ticking problem started about a month ago when pulling my trailer in 90 degree weather; but prior to the tick was a lag under acceleration (only sometime) with a load explosion noise from the exhaust like a nascar cup car going into a turn, sometimes it pops out of the air filter with enough force to move the filter off the cold air intake pipe. Then there is this problem at start up, if it does not idle for a couple minutes like, you just start and drive it seems like it runs a couple cylinders off, then they kick in. you can actually feel the power come on.

i'll repost after the dealer calls

 

Exactly what happens to me on start up. Lookin forward to hearing the results

 

I had this same problem with my '08. I took it to the dealer and it originally told me something bogus he did. I drove it literally 2 miles before turning around and taking it back. Next, they did the cam phaser job. I drove it for about 2 weeks and the problem came back. I had to drive the truck for a little while before it would do it. It wasn't quite as much or loud but it was still there.

The problem has been fixed now. I took it to the same dealer and left it for nearly 3 weeks. They removed the engine and took the head to a local machine shop. The repaired it and everything was covered under warranty. I don't recall exactly what they did but could certainly find out.

If you are experiencing this problem and the vehicle is under warranty, stay on your dealer's butt. They sent me home knowing the problem was still there. It took me getting both the sales and service/parts manager out to listen to it but they agreed it was annoying and promised me they would fix it. Luckily they did. Also, if you want them to hear the problem, do not shut off the engine. This would cause mine to stop briefly and was quite annoying when trying to get them to hear it.

 

well we will see what they say. this is the dealer that i purchased the truck from, and had every service, recall and 3000 mile oil change done by.
they have been into it since 8 this morning and have not called with their discovery yet.
and yes, its still under warranty.

 

I bought my 04 5.4 at 50k and it was ticking

 

Dealer says the right side exhaust manifold needs to be replaced and they are waiting for the part. I think they will out differently when they get it back together.

 

I did my left side manifold gasket and new manifold back in Jan. My right side has a very small tick to it enough to bother me.... Anyone eles probly not...lol... My truck has been bullet proof and i'm very happy for it. As i type this my 30 foot toy hauler is hooked up to it ready for my 4:30 departure tomorrow morning.

Mark

 

Many fleets use 15W40 in everything from small engines to large trucks. This includes the Ford modular engines, in police cars and pickups. This would also include those ran in warm and cool climates.

When people start discussing 15W40...they think its some kind of thick heavy nasty oil that will clog up the oiling system of a gas engine. This is simply not true. 15W40 has "S" ratings for spark ignition engines and prevents sludge buildup and oil foaming unlike many oils.

I just looked on the back of a spare bottle of Motorcraft 5W20 I had and its API rated SM and SL on the back. I also have a gallon jug of Mobil Delvac 15W40. It too is marked for SM and SL for gasoline engines. The API ratings are important information.

My highway department uses it exclusively and sees well over 200K in all light trucks and cars. The newer 15W40s have excellent cold weather properties and outstanding hot weather characteristics. They lubricate very well and we have never had a lube oil related failure in ANY engine whether it be Cat Excavator, Dump Truck, Ford Modular or lawn mower engine.

We get 2000 hours out of Kohler engines (and still going) using 15W40. And the insides are spotless. Our Dodge 4.7L Magnum engines do not "foam" up 15W40 as they do using typical quality 5W30's. They run clean and just fine.

I wouldn't hesitate to use a high quality 15W40 in any typical automotive application. Those who think it will "ruin" an engine need to do some real intensive research on exactly what 15W40 is and what it is capable of doing.

Just because its what is typically called for in a diesel doesn't mean its harmful for gasoline engines. Its not.

 

Well I just joined this forum to post my expierence with this ticking noise. I took my 06 F-150 with 75,000 miles to the dealership to find out the ticking problem and about 3 hours later they call me and tell me my motor locked up. I drove it in with the noise and told them that you can hear it when you start the truck. Well come to find out they took it for a test drive when the motor locked up and now they want $7,000 for a new motor. The problem was the bearing in one of the rockers froze which push the valve through the piston which locked the motor. I have talked to other dealerships and other mechanics and they all say the same thing "why would they take it for a test drive whenits making a noise." So now I'm battling with them about this and am not happy!!