Stanley_Wilson

I have a 2010 F150 Lariat with the 5.4 engine. it is pretty much all stock except the tires and exhaust. I went to a 275-70 tire and I had a flow master 10 series exhaust installed.
1. When my truck is at idle, hot or cold, I hear a ticking sound like a valve tapping or something similar. I have heard of the tapping valve problem with some fords but what can I do to fix it? I hate sitting at a drive thru and hearing that sound and thinking someone inside is laughing at my beautiful truck. My truck is too well kept to be tapping.
2. Why have I lost so much gas millage here lately? I was getting around 18-20 last winter and then at some point through summer it dropped to 13-14. I was getting the 18-20 with the exhaust I have on there now and the tires that were on there were only 1" shorter. I have been told to clean the MAS but would that make this much of a difference or would it be something different also.
Thanks for the help in advance,

Stanley_Wilson

Anyone able to help with this?

alsatropine

iTrader: (2)

You could also clean the throthrottle body. You need to get the throttle body cleaner than is safe for the Teflon coating. Also cleaning the MAF will help as well. As far as the ticking sound, more than likely it is an exhaust manifold gasket, or you could have a broken stud on the manifold itself. it could be a lifter ticking, but that involves pulling the valve covers and visually and manually checking for bleed down. Have you changed your oil regularly? What type oil, weight, and brand filter are you using? Can u pinpoint where the tapping is coming from? Is it more pronounced in the wheelwell? Is it more pronounced under the hood on top of the valve cocover?

alsatropine

iTrader: (2)

I see you're in Brookhaven missiMississippi. If you would like to discuss this in more detail, PM me and I'll send ya my phone number. its way to much to type on a cell phone lol

Stanley_Wilson

I do change my oil about every 3500 miles. I am using all Mobile 1 oil and filters. I'm not at home for another two weeks to see exactly where the sound is coming from. I know it goes away when you rev it or start driving. To me I would think a valve or lifter would get louder the higher the rpm but I might be wrong on that. I will check the manifold when I get home though.

JCR 56

Just to be safe, make sure you don't have a loose spark plug.

alsatropine

iTrader: (2)

What's your mileage ?

Stanley_Wilson

Back in the spring I was getting 18-20. Now I'm getting 13-14.