Lenn

2004 5.4L, 119k miles. Pretty sure it's not the phasers since from most of what I've read, they predominantly quiet down when it's warmed up (right?). Mine never gets louder or quiets down. Always present. Someone mentioned having a persistent tick in their 2004 5.4 (161k miles) and it was diagnosed as a failed lifter so he used Rotella T 15W-40 oil and it quieted it down a lot until he traded it in.

Anything I should check?

nrivera04

Doesnit change with engine speed? I'd be suspect of a loose spark plug. They need to be torqued to 28 ft lbs. Exhaust manifold could be another possibility. I wouldn't put 15-40 in these motors under any circumstance, but that's just me.

powerranger262

I have to agree about the manifold.

Lenn

I will check the plugs but I don't think it's the manifold. I've had bad manifolds on another vehicle (Xterra) and it sounded different.

I seem to remember reading here about some type of valve on the engine that makes a tick if it goes bad. Not internal to the engine, but it was an external device. Anyone remember that?

SCORGE

Do a torque check on all plugs.
Look for black soot on manifolds (though I don't think it's a manifold leak)
Could be a noisy injector(s)
last option IMO, bad lifter

LariatDude

Would a loose plug make a quiet knocking sound after reaching operating temp? For example, I hear no knock at cold idle but after it warms up you can hear it. Like the TSB they have for it. Saw a youtube vid on a loose plug making this sound. And if it speed up with RPM is that a likely indicator?

650NutKase

I did 30 ftlbs on my plugs. Does it change above 1200ish rpm? VCT solenoids?

LariatDude

Would you trust a Pittsburgh Pro wrench on it? That's all I have

650NutKase

hahaha yeah I would. I use that on my lugs. I used a 20 dollar beam style tq wrench when I did the plugs. So far so good.

LariatDude

Thank you sir!