So for the past few months, my truck has developed a rough idle combined with a louder than normal ticking sound (maybe). It's the worst when in park but still very noticeable in drive. I just switched out the spark plugs and ignition coils so that may be the issue. I've also read online that the cam phasers are pretty bad on this model.

I'm lost on how to diagnose the real issue though. If anyone could point me in the right direction that would be much appreciated! The video is below, let me know what you think.

It's a 2006 F150 5.4l V8.

 

Ok so I checked the spark plugs and I think one of them must have been loose because that fixed the ticking but the rough idle is still there. Its now the worst in park and lets up a little bit when shifted out of park

 

What brand plugs and COP's were used.. I assume the new COP's came with new boots and springs. Any DTC's..

 

If you didn't do so, you need torque the plugs in on these motors. If you already had one loose, I suspect it'll only be a matter of time before it happens again. OE spec is 25-28ft lbs.

 

They are the Accel 140033 coils. And I just re-torqued the plugs to 27 when I checked them. But there are no codes, I've pulled the plugs on the VTCs to no change, the air filter is new, the fuel filter was changed around 10k miles ago. The mpgs are not getting any worse. It seems like the only issue with the truck is the rough idle which is what is so tough to diagnose.

 

Found the problem. Get those out of there.

 

Really? If you don't mind explaining to a hack like me, what about them causes issues?

 

Specifically? Dunno. But coils are simple devices. They either provide adequate voltage or they don't, so that's where I'd say they fail. Search this site. Their failure is oh so common, and I myself have worked on vehicles with the 5.4L and Accels whose issues were resolved with a $50 set of Chinese coils.

 

So I'm reading some reviews on the Chinese ones and it seems to be pretty hit or miss. Would it be worth it just to buck up and get the oem replacements?

 

Not really. You should be looking at the Amazon reviews. Yes, there will be the occasional dud. So, worst case scenario, you buy two sets for $100 or so and you have spares, vs. the $80 each for OEM.