TStarling

We purchased a 2008 lariot 5.4 triton w/ 70,000 miles. Changed oil at 75254 miles. Started knocking at idle. Took it to Ford. they said it was the variable timing cam phasers and that we needed an entire new engine to the tune of $ 8K. No help from Ford Customer Service.

s_vares

Ouch, Read my post also called the final repair guide. Its fun!

florida2020

I just went through this 6 months ago and all is perfect now.

1st T Starling - DO NOT GO BACK TO THAT DEALER even for a tire plug!
Let me tell you that you have a fine engine, engine replacement or rebuilds are for shot rings, etc. but NOT IN YOUR CASE HERE. I capitalize because I am mad at how brazen these mechanics are offering to far over fix a problem and take your money.

Here is your fix: Replace the oil again with 5W20 Synthetic - full synthetic and drive for 1,000 miles. the knocking is more of a tick I suppose and it should reduce or completely eliminate this. The reason is, that the fine screen in the 2 VCT solenoids are very fine mesh and require this thin oil-I repeat this below-important!

Now the only other thing you would need to do is buy 2 Variable Cam Timing solenoids for about $125 each. These are easy installs - one on each valve cover. (I'll walk you through this if needed and even provide you the part #)
When you buy one notice the very fine screen at the bottom. Oil MUST flow through this perfectly for the upper engine to not starve for oil, thus cause a knock or tick. The thin oil is required for these to work correctly. They (solenoids) seem small but are very important for the TRITON specifically. The worse case scenario is that after steps 1 and 2 above, you would replace the variable cam timing sensor which times both of these solenoids. That is about $600 with labor. I have 167,000 on mine now and no ticks, knocks and certainly no motor replacement.
I just happen to see this email by accident this morning as I am traveling for business but I hope to save you $8,000. Chris

Masi1926

My 05, 5.4 has been noisy since I bought it new in 05. Nothing has changed sound wise and still runs great.

Trey K

I had a 2005 5.4 and it also ticked, but it was normal. Also, I heavily modified the engine, cams, phaser lockouts, valve springs, ported heads, headers, air tumbler delete, custom tuning... ran like a champ for about 130k miles when I traded it in. I wouldn't be too worried about the ticking unless it was abnormally loud. Even with the lockouts there was still ticking.

Here is a video with the mods and it still ticked but I never had an issue with the motor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29lj...e_gdata_player

Richard75013

Quote:

Originally Posted by florida2020

I just went through this 6 months ago and all is perfect now.

1st T Starling - DO NOT GO BACK TO THAT DEALER even for a tire plug!
Let me tell you that you have a fine engine, engine replacement or rebuilds are for shot rings, etc. but NOT IN YOUR CASE HERE. I capitalize because I am mad at how brazen these mechanics are offering to far over fix a problem and take your money.

Here is your fix: Replace the oil again with 5W20 Synthetic - full synthetic and drive for 1,000 miles. the knocking is more of a tick I suppose and it should reduce or completely eliminate this. The reason is, that the fine screen in the 2 VCT solenoids are very fine mesh and require this thin oil-I repeat this below-important!

Now the only other thing you would need to do is buy 2 Variable Cam Timing solenoids for about $125 each. These are easy installs - one on each valve cover. (I'll walk you through this if needed and even provide you the part #)
When you buy one notice the very fine screen at the bottom. Oil MUST flow through this perfectly for the upper engine to not starve for oil, thus cause a knock or tick. The thin oil is required for these to work correctly. They (solenoids) seem small but are very important for the TRITON specifically. The worse case scenario is that after steps 1 and 2 above, you would replace the variable cam timing sensor which times both of these solenoids. That is about $600 with labor. I have 167,000 on mine now and no ticks, knocks and certainly no motor replacement.
I just happen to see this email by accident this morning as I am traveling for business but I hope to save you $8,000. Chris

What he said and I'll add "use a Motorcraft filter" of which you will understand why if you read the TSB because they are looking for that. Never mind the Magnusson-Moss Act because at this point you want to coach them into your corner. There are 2 TSBs, one for the 11th Gen F150s and 1 for the 12th Gens, see below. I read a write up from Mobil that full synthetic is a little thinner than non-syn so try that 1st but be sure to use 5w20 only as they are looking for that to. If it still knocks then take the TSB to the dealer so they cant BS you.

11th Gen TSB: Google "TSB 06-19-08" w/o the quotes The Ford Title of this one is TICKING AND / OR KNOCKING NOISE / STARTUP RATTLE FROM ENGINE—4.6L / 5.4L 3V

12th Gen TSB: Google "TSB 09-23-7" w/o the quotes The Ford Title of this one is "LOW FREQUENCY ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE AT HOT IDLE"

Best of luck, hope this helps.

allinon72

Do not overlook an exhaust manifold leak, especially if it's on the p/s.