Truck has approx 90K, no engine or other issues to date. Engine performs well with no issues other than intermittent rattle coming from pass side valve cover- specifically near front of engine. Oil cjanged regularly with 5W-30 oil. Sometimes noise occurs at startup then goes away, other times it starts after driving for a while. Any info appreciated.

 

Welcome to the forum

9 time out of 10 it is actually a broken exhaust manifold stud causing an exhaust leak or possibly the PCV valve.
What year is it?

 

I used an engine stethoscope and the sound is definitely coming from the passenger valve cover near the front. If the problem is a sticking cam chain tensioner, will a detergent additive clean it up? I'm not ready to tear into the engine just yet.

 

Pull the valve cover off and take a look, could be a broken rocker arm

 

Sounds like the cam phaser. (might not have spelled that correctly). Slight noise isn't a huge issue, but a lot of noise can mean trouble.

 

If it's a 3V 5.4L,you'd better yank the cam cover to see if there's a follower that's bad-Or possibly a cam phaser as redford has said.
JL

 

After I remove the valve cover, what do I need to look for/check to know if a cam phaser or follower is bad? Where can I find some pics or diagrams? I'm not even sure what is meant by cam phaser.

Thanks again

 

I took my truck to the Ford dealer today. They said the problem is the cam phaser (pass side) but there was no rush to fix it. The mechanic said the noise is irritating but it won't hurt to keep driving it. The did have a cam phaser in stock so I got to see what the part actually looks like. Mech said the updayed cam phaser has different oil porting to prevent the current problem. The price for the part was quoted as $250 - anybody have any ideas where to get the part any cheaper or is that the going rate? I'm very confident I can install the cam phaser on my own but the part cost is a kicker.


Thanks for the help

 

it will be hard to install the phaser without the proper tools.you will need the wedge that holds the chain tensioner apart to releave thew prssure off the chain and the tool to remove the lash adjusters.the 2 tools can be bought but cost about 3-4 hundred dollars.there is a support pin in the origanal phasers that is just a hollow role pin and the redesigned phaser has a solid pin in it.

 

If it's under warranty, make them fix it!!