2004 F150 5.4 Cam Phaser issue?
 

Hi everyone, I recently bought this truck and noticed an interesting noise when it warm idles. I took a video of it below. The noise goes away over 1200 RPMs, but the video shows what it sounds like at idle. Does it sound like the cam phaser going bad?

https://drive.google.com/open?id=18D...6KdRyNXN6-3q7N

That is the CLASSIC phaser knock. Mine sounded like that for YEARS and TENS of thousands of miles before I did my timing job at 212,000 miles --- _because of_ P0022 code and chain slap at startup.

Guess it all begs the question(s). How many miles? Any codes or other symptoms or driveabiility problems (Rough idle when warm) Do you have misfires or bucking at 40-50 mph light load. If not, keep misfires at bay with frequent oil changes, GOOD ignition maintenance, and plug changes (at 60K intervals) - and drive the thing. Just tell friends who ask "What's wrong with your truck??" that its "NOTHING, its a diesel!".

It has 140,000 miles on it. No codes or symptoms. Truck runs great, idles great, no bucking or misfires. I just noticed the sound when I brought the truck home and started looking up things about that noise and found some references to the cam phaser. I've read multiple things about getting it replaced vs not getting it replaced. Some people say it's fine, but others say it caused more issues. I'm not sure how long it has been doing this, so I'm not really sure if I should just drive it or have someone look at it.

that definitely sounds like a phaser knock. you are looking at a phaser and possibly a timing job real soon

If you're so inclined, I'd suggest pulling the VCT solenoids and inspecting/cleaning them.

Like @F150Torqued stated, that's phaser knock. You have a timing job in your future.

Also, it does sound like it's a little starved for oil. Double check your oil level and maybe run a bottle of MMO and do an oil/filter change within 600 miles.

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W30 with a Motorcraft FL820S filter.

Phaser knock
It's the locking pins inside the phasers that now have a small amount of play. Not detrimental to your engine.
Keep your oil changed. Use Motorcraft filters only. Maybe a little MMO. I personally use 10w-30

That's interesting. Before I drove it off the lot, the dealership changed the oil and put 5W-20 in it and I'm not sure what filter brand they used. I don't think I noticed the sound before the oil change when I was test driving it. I guess I'll change to 5W-30 and make sure to get a Motorcraft filter. I verified the oil level last night and it was at the correct level, but I will check again. When switching oil weights do I just do a normal oil change, nothing special?

Don't exceed 5k.
Preload the filter a little if you're feeling froggy (not too much, it'll just pour out on you)

Nothing special is required. Several good suggestions that have been made is replacing VCT solenoids, running some Marvel Mystery Oil, keeping oil changes at or below 5k miles. Although, as @SCORGE noted, the noise is coming from some slop / slack in the little locking pins inside the phaser. I doubt heaver oil will cure that. But if you can stand the dreadful sound - I firmly believe it has NO detrimental effect on your engine. If the timing system deteriorates to the point of failure - it will give startup chain slap, or codes in the 034x range, or the P001x or 002x range.

----------Edit

Something special you can do relating to this issue during ANY oil change. Sludge or gum buildup is killer on these phasers / VCT solenoids. I advocate occasional engine flush (just my opinion) by putting a can of engine flush in (Motor Mechanic, Kreen, or equiv.) at the end of the day - circulate it good and let set overnight. The next morning warm up and change. (The Phasers can be exercised -flushed- by torquing up above 1200 RPM against breaks in second gear. That makes PCM call for maximum retard, then return to base upon idle down. I do this repeatedly, then shut her down for the night)

Thanks for all of the info everyone. Really appreciate it.