I'm needing advise on where to start looking for this ticking noise coming from my 2010 F150 with the 5.4 3V.

At idle I only hear what sounds like fuel injector ticks, nothing outside of the ordinary to my knowledge. But while accelerating and at RPMs under around 1500 I hear a ticking inside the cab that comes from the passenger side. It is only heard when accelerating or when I give it gas and goes away once over roughly 1500RPM. Once I let up off the gas it goes away until I accelerate again. Ticks with both a hot/cold engine.

I thought it may be a exhaust manifold leak so I hooked up a Shop-Vac and sprayed around it with some soap and water along the exhaust system and did not see any bubbling. It would also seem that I would hear the tick from an exhaust no matter what the RPM though and at idle. It's not a knocking or anything that would sound like the cam phasers I don't think. I also wouldn't think it would be a broken tensioner or chain guide since it is quite at start up and at idle. It may just be the lash adjusters or injectors are that loud. This is my first 5.4 3V so I have nothing to compare it to. I've tried running some seafoam through the last couple tanks of gas but it hasn't helped. I plan on putting some motor flush in my oil when I'm due my next oil change. I'm running Motorcraft 5w20 with a Motorcraft filter.

I'm no mechanic though so any advise on where you would start looking would be appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

 

Sounds like the phasers to me. Mine are being replaced a the next week or so. At least that is what the mechanic says it is.

I couldn't hear anything from inside with the windows up. Only time I heard it was with the windows down, going 30 mph or less, going by something that would echo the sound back and accelerating or going up a hill. Also could get it to do the exact same sound with it in drive, foot on brake and slowly giving it gas. Apparently, mine is very loud as the mechanic said he has heard louder ones.

So, maybe yours is loud enough to hear inside.

 

Sound like it could be vct solenoids. Try unplugging the connector and see if the tick quiets down.

 

Start with confirming your VCT solenoids. They are the easiest part of the “cam phaser tick issue� to replace and around $100 for the VCT and a new valve cover gasket, replacing both solenoids and gaskets would equal $200.
I start to notice a slight “tick� when my vehicle nears 3,000 miles; I replace oil and tick is gone for another 3,000 miles.

 

Thank you all for the advise. I will try and unplug the VCT solenoids and see if that helps the ticking go away. If I only notice the ticking while driving would it be safe to drive the vehicle for a couple hundred feet with them unplugged?

Secondly, if the phaser or VCT is ultimately the issue wouldn't I hear these noises at idle as well? Ticking speed increased with RPM.

This truck is new to me with 86k miles. It seems to run strong and smooth so far. I just want to make sure this truck lasts me at least another 100k miles if possible and I hate just driving it knowing there could be an issue.

 

You could set the parking brake and hold the brake pedal firmly. Bring the rpm to 1500 to hear the ticking, after that do the same with the vct disconnected.

 

From your description, I'd say its the passenger side manifold. It's a common issue. I went through this with the '05 last fall. If the noise is basically linear to throttle position it's probably the manifold. I can do the job but would rather not scatter the truck all over the garage, so I took it to a shop that I THOUGHT I trusted. They tried to selll me everything from a complete replacement of the valvetrain components to a new engine. I then went to another shop where I have some history with the owner and he confirmed it was the manifold. They can be a rotten job if you break studs. I got lucky, the nuts came off clean and all the studs came out also. If you need a new man. (probably do) pay up and get it from Ford. The aftermarket replacements have a reputation for poor metal quality and relatively rapid failure.

 

My old 2010 was quiet after replacing the passenger manifold.

 

My Mustang is making a slight ticking noise under acceleration. I did just change the oil to synthetic 5w20. I wonder if a change in oil weight will make a difference. I am pretty sure I have a 5.4 2v though.

I just put on a new cat back exhaust so mine could be exhaust related as well.

 

i'm going to start looking at the easiest stuff first. Hopefully it's just a VCT or exhaust leak but I'm starting to believe it's the RH phaser. I got out of my truck today and heard the ticking coming from the passenger side wheel well at idle.