I'll start by saying that the only truck I've ever owned has been an F150. Originally, in High School, a 1998 Ext Cab that I ran to 200,000 miles with no major problems. Now, I have a 2009 lariat that I bought in 2014 with 80,000 miles on it and I absolutely love it. I've got it up to about 110,000 miles and want to do whatever I can to get it well past 200k miles.

I've noticed that there is a slight "knocking" noise specifically while idling and going through a drive through (or next to a wall where you can hear the echo) and made worse after there is a sharp turn through a drive through. It gets so bad that the entire truck will rock and even "jump." Normally I can just turn the truck off and restart it and the jumping will stop but the knocking sound will continue.

I've taken it to Ford, Firestone, Meineke, and damn near every local mechanic around me and they all say "Your truck is in excellent condition and we can tell that all maintenance has been completed."

To date the truck has never failed me (even after semi-regular 3+ hour drives), I don't have any check engine lights or any other notifications of failure, and I don't know where to go from here. All mechanics can hear the sound and tell me that it doesn't sound good but cannot tell me what is causing it or how to resolve it.

Build Date: 10.06.2009
Vehicle Line: F150
Body Style: Double Cab (3/4 Door)
Version: 150
Engine: 5.4L 3V V8
Transmission: 6 Speed Automatic Trans (6R80)
Drive: LHD 4WD (PTD)
Axle Ratio: 3.55

 

The exhaust manifolds have a tendency to crack, normally gets quieter as engin warms up; although drive through boosts any noise to higher level.

Nasty awkward job, some studs can break off. Either one or both sides might need doing.

Mine need doing right now, manifolds sitting on my bench.

 

It could be your cam phasers. They can cause a knock and make the engine have a rough idle. It goes away once your rpms go back up. Dig around the forum, tons of info about it. They can be a costly job.

 

Both problems listed above could be the issue. Cam phasers are a big sore spot for the 2010 and lower engines. Phasers is more of a tick than a knock though and goes away when above about 1500 rpm. Its my understanding that if the cam phaser goes bad to the point that it cases the engine to run bad its all the time when under 1500 rpm.

You may also have 2 different problems. A ticking cam phaser that you hear from the engine and something else. Sometimes the phasers will only start to tick after the oil has warmed up.

Do some reading in the 2008 section as that is the engine you have in your 09 and I have in my 2010. Watch some videos on the ticking and see if that is the sound you hear. Good luck

 

His engine is the newer 3v design. Used in 2009-10 f150 and the explorer and Mustang.

Mine has over 200k miles and goes full oil change on 5w30 mobil1 without top ups.

Not original owner, pretty sure original cam phasers.

 

Mine has this same "ticking" sound I can hear echoing when going through a drive thru or by a building. Only does it with the transmission in gear though. Same for you?

 

Cam phasers, get the lock out kit and you'll never hear them again.

 

Yeah same, I think being in drive puts a bit of load on engine.The ticking is normally exhaust manifold, they crack and or studs break which creates a leak.

There are a few posts on site about it. Parts cheap, labor not.

Cam phasers is more of an issue on the older 5.4's, I believe codes turn up along with the idle and knock.

 

Yeah no codes for me.

One of these days I'll get underneath and listen. I found out I'm able to make it knock pretty loudly when it's in gear with the brake pressed and giving it just a little gas.

I'm going to have to get brave enough to get underneath with it in gear! (obviously with someone in the driver's seat holding the brake down)

 

VCT solenoids, cam phasers, or both. Valve covers have to come off for the solenoids. You can try unplugging them (electrical connector at the front of each valve cover, solenoids are inside valve cover) and see if the noise goes away, then you'll know that's your problem. About a 100 each plus labor that you might be able to do yourself if you're handy. Certainly much easier than cam phaser replacement.