TedK

Thanks Lewissa81 for the good information, I'm taking my truck to an actual Ford garage this Wednesday for an official diagnosis. Just pulling the sources of knowledge here, but I've been reading up on these 4.6 liter engines, (it's in a 2002 F150, just hit 100K miles, well maintained, 2wd), that Ford says a certain sound is "normal", my sound begins precisely after 8-9 seconds after start up, I'm kind of hoping they say it's "normal." Any thoughts? Some days the noise seems louder, and when you're coasting down the road the sound is very muffled unless your along side a median barrier or something like that, which according to Ford's Oasis report, this may be the sound they say is normal. Just curious to what you all think, sorry for the rambling. I will post after Wednesday to let you know what Ford garage says.

TedK

Hello, everyone.
Just took my 2002 F150 4.6 liter 100K 2wd supercab nicely maintained truck to Ford garage for official diagnoses of the slapping/diesely sound from the motor. The service tech said that it was either the tensioner guides or something plugging oil to the camshaft, which I don't understand why they can't pinpoint this with a mechanic's stethoscope, but anyway, he said they can put new tensioners in but that the problem will come back anywhere from six days to six months later. Like a previous post, says that it isn't worth repairing. (told me to put something into oil to quiet it down and sell it, which shows the integrity we're dealing with).
I thought the new tensioner guides are redesigned? Am I wasting my time putting 1400 dollars into it? The truck is only worth 5000 repaired, but it is my truck, and to replace it is a lot more than 1400 dollars. I just don't get why the "repair" will only last up to six months, and I feel real hesitant telling them to do the work if his mechanics have a past pattern of their repairs not lasting.
I am going to take it to an engine shop, get a second opinion, but I just wanted to see what you all thought.