kpmiller

Hey, I have a 98 F-150 with a 5.4. L V8, and it makes this ticking noise when my rpms rise. It quites down when it changes gears and the rpms drop, but as I put my foot into it it gets louder and faster up to when it shifts, then it goes soft again untill the rpms rise towards the next gear. When I idle the sound is soft and fairly quiet. I have put around 1000 miles on since I got the truck and it has made this sound since I have owned it. Under the hood with a stethiscope the noise seemed to be coming from the drivers side of the engine back towards the firewall. I have pulled all the plug wires one at a time trying to narrow down a cylinder but the noise stays even throught that process. I am real confused because the truck still runs great aside from this obnoxious noise, something is not ok. I am wondering if anyone has any similar symptoms or some clue as to what this could be. Thank you

Ty

exhaust leak or something with the timing chain? (I belive it uses a chain, not a belt right?)

LovetheTide

Im would check the tranny and the clutch... both very expensive.

hope this helps.

kpmiller

This problem is definetly in the engine, I have a hunch that its a broken valve spring. My exhaust is ok, I just had a flow master exhaust put on. The truck has 120,000 miles on it and I bought it knowing it had this noise, (who can pass it up for $3000 dollars. It was a repo vehicle) I have put a lot of work into fixing it up, and now my last part is this noise. I am just curious to know if this is a freak problem or if my symptoms are notorious for this model. Its not an easy engine to work on, so I seek knowledge. Thanks

Ty

no, a exhaust leak at the back of the exhaust manifold, your new exhaust system only goeg from the cat back.

whitecrystal1

When you pulled the plug wires did you check the torque on the plugs. Just a thought, you have the engine that likes to spit out the plugs. Everyone that has had it happen has said it made a ticking sound before dislodging the plug. Like Pro-x-144 said you should also check the exhaust manifolds and make sure you don't have a leak. btw, welcome to the site

Ty

I thought that was the 4.6?

whitecrystal1

Both do but the 5.4 is worse about it. http://www.topix.net/forum/autos/for...HFU0VD0N2U9KPD
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...ark_plugs.html

kpmiller

I knew of that plug blowing problem I just never heard that symptom of the ticking before. I read about 200 of those threads and that seems to be the same noise I hear. Thanks so much, very helpful. Now I have to look forward to that tomorrow.

whitecrystal1

Don't rule out a leaky exhaust either. You could have a loose manifold.