Need help diagnosing engine noise. 2005 5.4L 3V
#1
Need help diagnosing engine noise. 2005 5.4L 3V
I have recently replaced cam phaser and timing components, but I still have a ticking noise that I cannot figure out what it is.
Here are what I have replaced.
I am not sure if the noise I'm hearing is new or present before because the engine was very noisy before.
Following are videos recording of the noise.
This is under the hood. Loudest noise I can hear are the fuel injectors (at least that is what I think it is), but if you listen carefully, there is some tapping noise that gets louder toward rear of driver side engine and can hear more clearly under the driver side.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o3B...ew?usp=sharing
This noise can be heard inside cab with windows closed. It is hard to hear on the video because my phone's mic did not pick it up very well, but it is definitely noticeable when heard in person. The noise gets faster as engine RPM increases, but cannot really hear when over 20+ MPH as the road and wind noise gets louder and frequency of the noise increases.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sxT...ew?usp=sharing
I tried stethoscope in different parts of the engine, but I could not pin point source of the noise.
To me it sounds like the valve or lash adjuster noise, but not so sure. When tried stethoscope on the valve cover, it is very quiet probably because the cover seats on the rubber gasket and rubber grommet. When I try the same on the valve cover bolts or the head I can hear tapping.
If the noise is from lash adjusters, may be I made a mistake when replacing them? Do I have to prime new lash adjusters before installation? All I did was install new lash adjusters as is and the new lash adjusters came lubricated with some thin oil. I did apply some oil over the roller followers and cam lobes, but nothing directly on the lash adjusters.
Other possible suspects were a loose spark plug, bad fuel injector, and exhaust leak.
As for possibility of exhaust leak, the engine was replaced with used engine by previous owner's mechanic and by looking at condition of the studs and nuts, it could not be more than few years ago. Nut and studs has no rust. Also, I do not see any soot marks around manifold or flange. However, I do hear what sounds like a small exhaust leak when I accelerate. Yet to figure out what is leaking.
Checking spark plugs are on my to do list, but did not have a chance yet.
Comparing fuel injector noise with stethoscope sounded about all the same. All loud clicks.
Any ideas? Is this just considered normal noise for this engine?
Here are what I have replaced.
- Cam phasers. Latest Ford genuine parts.
- Roller followers and lash adjusters. Latest Ford genuine parts with smaller oil hole.
- Oil pump. Melling M340
- Timing chain set. Cloyes 9-0391SB
- VCT Solenoids. Latest Ford genuine parts.
- Spark plugs with latest Ford genuine parts.
I am not sure if the noise I'm hearing is new or present before because the engine was very noisy before.
Following are videos recording of the noise.
This is under the hood. Loudest noise I can hear are the fuel injectors (at least that is what I think it is), but if you listen carefully, there is some tapping noise that gets louder toward rear of driver side engine and can hear more clearly under the driver side.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o3B...ew?usp=sharing
This noise can be heard inside cab with windows closed. It is hard to hear on the video because my phone's mic did not pick it up very well, but it is definitely noticeable when heard in person. The noise gets faster as engine RPM increases, but cannot really hear when over 20+ MPH as the road and wind noise gets louder and frequency of the noise increases.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sxT...ew?usp=sharing
I tried stethoscope in different parts of the engine, but I could not pin point source of the noise.
To me it sounds like the valve or lash adjuster noise, but not so sure. When tried stethoscope on the valve cover, it is very quiet probably because the cover seats on the rubber gasket and rubber grommet. When I try the same on the valve cover bolts or the head I can hear tapping.
If the noise is from lash adjusters, may be I made a mistake when replacing them? Do I have to prime new lash adjusters before installation? All I did was install new lash adjusters as is and the new lash adjusters came lubricated with some thin oil. I did apply some oil over the roller followers and cam lobes, but nothing directly on the lash adjusters.
Other possible suspects were a loose spark plug, bad fuel injector, and exhaust leak.
As for possibility of exhaust leak, the engine was replaced with used engine by previous owner's mechanic and by looking at condition of the studs and nuts, it could not be more than few years ago. Nut and studs has no rust. Also, I do not see any soot marks around manifold or flange. However, I do hear what sounds like a small exhaust leak when I accelerate. Yet to figure out what is leaking.
Checking spark plugs are on my to do list, but did not have a chance yet.
Comparing fuel injector noise with stethoscope sounded about all the same. All loud clicks.
Any ideas? Is this just considered normal noise for this engine?
Last edited by lambition; 06-20-2018 at 10:38 PM.
#2
05 5.4l 3v s.crew lariat
Priming and soaking lash's is required ,air prevents good operation
As well as cleaning out lash wells . Torquing in spark plugs to 25- 28 foot pounds a good idea . I think you have a good handle on what to look for .
I rebuilt a 350 buick and I barely noticed 2 lifters a little different than others . It was noisy for days until I remembered that and changed them and then it was fine . My 454 Corvette would lose prime to number one lifters and knock , I had to have dealer drill hole in block but they wouldn't cover it under warranty . .
I would prime them ,look for a bad one after flushing engine, change oil several times ,run some marvel m oil . Use mc filters with good anti drain back valve . Make sure cam journal groove cleaned so oil is getting to valve train properly . Use 5w-30 syn after all flushing done .
You may have to pull oil pan and make sure oil pick up screen clear , the main problem are broken guides plastic jamming screen or some times junk from rebuild . Guides subject to breaking do to blown seal on plastic tensioners causing chain whipping . Fixed by using steel ratcheting tensioners .
I rebuilt a 350 buick and I barely noticed 2 lifters a little different than others . It was noisy for days until I remembered that and changed them and then it was fine . My 454 Corvette would lose prime to number one lifters and knock , I had to have dealer drill hole in block but they wouldn't cover it under warranty . .
I would prime them ,look for a bad one after flushing engine, change oil several times ,run some marvel m oil . Use mc filters with good anti drain back valve . Make sure cam journal groove cleaned so oil is getting to valve train properly . Use 5w-30 syn after all flushing done .
You may have to pull oil pan and make sure oil pick up screen clear , the main problem are broken guides plastic jamming screen or some times junk from rebuild . Guides subject to breaking do to blown seal on plastic tensioners causing chain whipping . Fixed by using steel ratcheting tensioners .
#3
I have recently replaced cam phaser and timing components, but I still have a ticking noise that I cannot figure out what it is.
Here are what I have replaced.
I am not sure if the noise I'm hearing is new or present before because the engine was very noisy before.
Following are videos recording of the noise.
This is under the hood. Loudest noise I can hear are the fuel injectors (at least that is what I think it is), but if you listen carefully, there is some tapping noise that gets louder toward rear of driver side engine and can hear more clearly under the driver side.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o3B...ew?usp=sharing
This noise can be heard inside cab with windows closed. It is hard to hear on the video because my phone's mic did not pick it up very well, but it is definitely noticeable when heard in person. The noise gets faster as engine RPM increases, but cannot really hear when over 20+ MPH as the road and wind noise gets louder and frequency of the noise increases.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sxT...ew?usp=sharing
I tried stethoscope in different parts of the engine, but I could not pin point source of the noise.
To me it sounds like the valve or lash adjuster noise, but not so sure. When tried stethoscope on the valve cover, it is very quiet probably because the cover seats on the rubber gasket and rubber grommet. When I try the same on the valve cover bolts or the head I can hear tapping.
If the noise is from lash adjusters, may be I made a mistake when replacing them? Do I have to prime new lash adjusters before installation? All I did was install new lash adjusters as is and the new lash adjusters came lubricated with some thin oil. I did apply some oil over the roller followers and cam lobes, but nothing directly on the lash adjusters.
Other possible suspects were a loose spark plug, bad fuel injector, and exhaust leak.
As for possibility of exhaust leak, the engine was replaced with used engine by previous owner's mechanic and by looking at condition of the studs and nuts, it could not be more than few years ago. Nut and studs has no rust. Also, I do not see any soot marks around manifold or flange. However, I do hear what sounds like a small exhaust leak when I accelerate. Yet to figure out what is leaking.
Checking spark plugs are on my to do list, but did not have a chance yet.
Comparing fuel injector noise with stethoscope sounded about all the same. All loud clicks.
Any ideas? Is this just considered normal noise for this engine?
Here are what I have replaced.
- Cam phasers. Latest Ford genuine parts.
- Roller followers and lash adjusters. Latest Ford genuine parts with smaller oil hole.
- Oil pump. Melling M340
- Timing chain set. Cloyes 9-0391SB
- VCT Solenoids. Latest Ford genuine parts.
- Spark plugs with latest Ford genuine parts.
I am not sure if the noise I'm hearing is new or present before because the engine was very noisy before.
Following are videos recording of the noise.
This is under the hood. Loudest noise I can hear are the fuel injectors (at least that is what I think it is), but if you listen carefully, there is some tapping noise that gets louder toward rear of driver side engine and can hear more clearly under the driver side.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o3B...ew?usp=sharing
This noise can be heard inside cab with windows closed. It is hard to hear on the video because my phone's mic did not pick it up very well, but it is definitely noticeable when heard in person. The noise gets faster as engine RPM increases, but cannot really hear when over 20+ MPH as the road and wind noise gets louder and frequency of the noise increases.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sxT...ew?usp=sharing
I tried stethoscope in different parts of the engine, but I could not pin point source of the noise.
To me it sounds like the valve or lash adjuster noise, but not so sure. When tried stethoscope on the valve cover, it is very quiet probably because the cover seats on the rubber gasket and rubber grommet. When I try the same on the valve cover bolts or the head I can hear tapping.
If the noise is from lash adjusters, may be I made a mistake when replacing them? Do I have to prime new lash adjusters before installation? All I did was install new lash adjusters as is and the new lash adjusters came lubricated with some thin oil. I did apply some oil over the roller followers and cam lobes, but nothing directly on the lash adjusters.
Other possible suspects were a loose spark plug, bad fuel injector, and exhaust leak.
As for possibility of exhaust leak, the engine was replaced with used engine by previous owner's mechanic and by looking at condition of the studs and nuts, it could not be more than few years ago. Nut and studs has no rust. Also, I do not see any soot marks around manifold or flange. However, I do hear what sounds like a small exhaust leak when I accelerate. Yet to figure out what is leaking.
Checking spark plugs are on my to do list, but did not have a chance yet.
Comparing fuel injector noise with stethoscope sounded about all the same. All loud clicks.
Any ideas? Is this just considered normal noise for this engine?
#4
As well as cleaning out lash wells . Torquing in spark plugs to 25- 28 foot pounds a good idea . I think you have a good handle on what to look for .
I rebuilt a 350 buick and I barely noticed 2 lifters a little different than others . It was noisy for days until I remembered that and changed them and then it was fine . My 454 Corvette would lose prime to number one lifters and knock , I had to have dealer drill hole in block but they wouldn't cover it under warranty . .
I would prime them ,look for a bad one after flushing engine, change oil several times ,run some marvel m oil . Use mc filters with good anti drain back valve . Make sure cam journal groove cleaned so oil is getting to valve train properly . Use 5w-30 syn after all flushing done .
You may have to pull oil pan and make sure oil pick up screen clear , the main problem are broken guides plastic jamming screen or some times junk from rebuild . Guides subject to breaking do to blown seal on plastic tensioners causing chain whipping . Fixed by using steel ratcheting tensioners .
I rebuilt a 350 buick and I barely noticed 2 lifters a little different than others . It was noisy for days until I remembered that and changed them and then it was fine . My 454 Corvette would lose prime to number one lifters and knock , I had to have dealer drill hole in block but they wouldn't cover it under warranty . .
I would prime them ,look for a bad one after flushing engine, change oil several times ,run some marvel m oil . Use mc filters with good anti drain back valve . Make sure cam journal groove cleaned so oil is getting to valve train properly . Use 5w-30 syn after all flushing done .
You may have to pull oil pan and make sure oil pick up screen clear , the main problem are broken guides plastic jamming screen or some times junk from rebuild . Guides subject to breaking do to blown seal on plastic tensioners causing chain whipping . Fixed by using steel ratcheting tensioners .
I really do not want to open valve cover again if I don't have to. So many things in the way. On the bright side driver side is not so bad.
I kinda regret not pulling the oil pan to check pickup screen. I have 4x4 and in order to remove the oil pan, I have to drop the front axle, which I did not want to if I don't have to. My chain guides were broken, but mostly in a big chunks and I found them above and right under the oil pump. I was missing about 3 small pieces probably around 1/8" to 1/4" in side. I figured those probably would have drained out during oil changes. I blew out the oil pickup tube with compressed air when I was changing the oil pump to clean the screen. Not sure if it actually did anything cause the oil I drained out did not have anything out of ordinary.
#5
These engines make lots of noises, can drive you nuts. I think I took my lash adjusters out of the bag of oil they came in and soaked them in a container before install. I don't even think I lubed my new rollers. I have a loud throttle kind of sound that comes and goes intermitantly that makes me wonder. I know what you're going through because you hear every little noise be it background or mixed in with normal noises. I almost think I heard a cat converter noise in there which I think I have even with newer cats. Don't over think it unless its really bad
What is funny is it ran just fine before I worked on the engine then I had rough shifting right after the engine was repaired. I figured the PCM just has to learn shift points. Then suddenly no 1st gear. Don't know if it had anything to do with what I did. I did not touch anything with the transmission other than dip stick tube.
Put remanufactured Jasper transmission, which I kinda regret. I probably should have just put a used transmission on and sell the truck in a year or two.
#6
The noise I'm hearing is something I would ignore in a old used truck. However, still having noise after all the money and work I put into is very discouraging. I worked on the truck for 2.5 days under the sun. What is even worse is the transmission failed a week after.
What is funny is it ran just fine before I worked on the engine then I had rough shifting right after the engine was repaired. I figured the PCM just has to learn shift points. Then suddenly no 1st gear. Don't know if it had anything to do with what I did. I did not touch anything with the transmission other than dip stick tube.
Put remanufactured Jasper transmission, which I kinda regret. I probably should have just put a used transmission on and sell the truck in a year or two.
What is funny is it ran just fine before I worked on the engine then I had rough shifting right after the engine was repaired. I figured the PCM just has to learn shift points. Then suddenly no 1st gear. Don't know if it had anything to do with what I did. I did not touch anything with the transmission other than dip stick tube.
Put remanufactured Jasper transmission, which I kinda regret. I probably should have just put a used transmission on and sell the truck in a year or two.
#7
Driver side with new lash adjusters and roller followers installed.
Made new recording of the noise I hear inside. It feels like the noise is getting worse, but that could be just me.
I just don't seem to be able to find time to do a deeper diagnoses right now. To me it sound very much like a lifter noise if it is, that would mean I made some mistake putting lash adjusters or roller followers back together or have blocked oil passage.
The tapping noise is definitely more pronounced at the driver side.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sCJ...ew?usp=sharing
If there really is problem with lash adjusters, more I drive further damage it will cause.. but removing the cover is a huge task with this engine. Anyway to confirm this without removing the cover?
Below is a picture after I put new lash adjusters and roller followers installed. This doesn't really show anything, but just posting since I have the picture.
Made new recording of the noise I hear inside. It feels like the noise is getting worse, but that could be just me.
I just don't seem to be able to find time to do a deeper diagnoses right now. To me it sound very much like a lifter noise if it is, that would mean I made some mistake putting lash adjusters or roller followers back together or have blocked oil passage.
The tapping noise is definitely more pronounced at the driver side.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sCJ...ew?usp=sharing
If there really is problem with lash adjusters, more I drive further damage it will cause.. but removing the cover is a huge task with this engine. Anyway to confirm this without removing the cover?
Below is a picture after I put new lash adjusters and roller followers installed. This doesn't really show anything, but just posting since I have the picture.
Last edited by lambition; 06-22-2018 at 10:44 PM.
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#8
I have the same noise. It was there before i did timing job including rockers and lifters. All ford parts apart from melling m360hv oil pump and cast tensioners. One thing i will say is pull the pan off and clean out oil pick up. I only had a small part off guide broken but the pick up was half blocked because the broke peace gets chewed up in the chain into smaller peaces.
My noise is worse from under neath the truck.
My noise is worse from under neath the truck.
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redfishtd (06-25-2018)
#10
05 5.4l 3v s.crew lariat
Good points on the oil pu . The chewed up pieces don't come out oil drain .
I have the same noise. It was there before i did timing job including rockers and lifters. All ford parts apart from melling m360hv oil pump and cast tensioners. One thing i will say is pull the pan off and clean out oil pick up. I only had a small part off guide broken but the pick up was half blocked because the broke peace gets chewed up in the chain into smaller peaces.
My noise is worse from under neath the truck.
My noise is worse from under neath the truck.