I have a 2005 f-150. At startup it has a deisel sound kinda like noisey lifers. I bought the truck with 12000 miles and it only has 31000 now and it has done it since i bought it. I was talking to my cousin who also has a 2004 f150. He says his does the same thing but got worst over the years. He has 140k on his. Any ideas. Also you dont notice it unless at idle...mike

 

Mine was noisy at 60 KMs. Dread variable cam gear noise if it is the same as mine. Sometimes it is quiet at idle and other times sounds like a diesel. Bring the rpms up a few hun and the noise ticking stops.

If you have extended warranty take it in. I switched to synthetic oil and it "seems" to be getting quieter but then again winter is here. A mechanic where my Son paints is going to fix it up for me one-of these-days. Not too worried about it as had the same problem in my Mercury Mistake with it's VCT

 

The way to tell the cam phaser from other drivetrain noise is the fact that the phaser noise disappears above 1200rpm. If you hear something else, it may be just valvetrain noise, which these engines have also, some louder than other.

Oh, when it's cold out, you won't here the phasers until the motor is at operating temps.

good luck getting warranty to fix it. Others have reported mixed success. Most dealers seem to use the excuse 'it's normal, sorry'.

 

Mine does it a few seconds after I start it up after an oil change. Scared me to death. It hasnt done it during day to day start up.

 

I have a 2005 F-150 with the 5.4. I had a ticking and when the motor was warm a knocking noise. It sounded like a little dissel motor. I had to replace both cam phasers. So far the dissel noise is gone and the motor has never sounded better. Ford put a bulletin out about this problem, and has put out an update part kit for it. If you have the cam phasers replaced they do not put the same junk they put in the engine when it was built. If you have this work done I hope you have a warnty, or it will cost around 1200.00.

 

try doing a search on this subject i have seen about 5-6 of them

 

On your 04 F150 you can prime the oil system to prevent dry start up after an oil change by holding the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor with the ignition in the OFF position and while still holding the pedal to the floor turn it to the start position and crank the engine for about 6 or 8 seconds. Turn the ignition OFF and release the accelerator. The PCM will not allow the engine to start if the accelerator is in the WOT position when the ignition is turned on. Now you can start the engine normally and check for any leaks.