wdgold

I have had a 2006 5.4 with the common ticking noise for years but now since last fall I've been hearing additional loud ticking noise during whenever I step on the gas. Was wandering if this would be a different issue or related to the original ticking issue.

stankyjeans

Hard to say, but my guess is if the noise is louder, it's all related and it's your turn for a timing job.!

If it's been ticking for years, it's a good bet you've got at least one tensioner blown and busted chain guides and it's allowing the chain to slap around. Mine would get louder too as I accelerated and then quieted down while at highway speed.

I haven't tried myself, but if you have a bore scope, maybe you can snake it into the oil fill and take a quick peel to see if your guides are broke and if the timing chain is chewing on your cover. Or if you can get one of the valve covers off (drivers side is MUCH easier than the passenger if you have AC)... you'll have easier access to look down in there.

I waited far too long to fix mine. I was lucky to save the engine but if I could go back in time (and had the money) I would have fixed it right away. And PS: Use OEM timing parts only and upgrade your oil pump.

PS: PS: You're fortunate yours is a 2006. If you need new cams, they are half the cost of my 2004 !

wdgold

Thank you for the info,
I plan on doing it myself so what is your best guess what it would probably cost me?

stankyjeans

I haven't shopped prices since I did my '04, but I'm going to take a guess at around $1000 - $1500 in parts? I took a quick peek at Amazon and they have a timing kit (OEM) for $728. Throw in new VCT's and upgraded Melling oil pump and you're nearing $1000. You might also consider the older-style chain tensioners that don't have gaskets to blow out. Add in special tooling like the spring compressor and misc. stuff.. you are getting near the $1200. This is assuming your cams and heads are OK.

If you're frugal, have the time and shop carefully, you can bring that price down a little. Look for sales, coupon codes, etc. Rock Auto just sent me one of their closeout sales. Sometimes you can save quite a bit on these sales.

https://www.rockauto.com/RSS/vehicle...l=en&html=true

Just remember: Use OEM timing gear ONLY! I know the price tag is gonna hurt, but you don't want to do this again in a few hundred miles. I can't even count how many non-OEM horror stories I've read about. Also considering the price of a new truck today? I'd gladly pay to fix my engine. $40-50 grand for a new truck is just insane. Imagine what a person could do with that much money on an older rig? Hell, what could you do with half that amount?

Keep us updated! There's tons of knowledge on this forum!

Greyhound

I read through the first 30+ pages and decided it would be much quicker to ask my question than to read through the remaining 370 pages looking for answers. I got my 2008 at 150K miles a few years back and now it's sitting just under 200K. It had the famous tick that several have described. About 10K miles ago, it started vibrating badly and sounded like a diesel when I would decelerate and come to an idle. It would only do this after the engine was hot (normal). The only way to get it back to a normal idle was to give it gas and increase the RPM. It's happen much more frequent now and is to the point to where I don't even want to drive it. I've read this is due to low oil psi but not sure if that's accurate or not. Since this seems to be a common issue with the 5.4 engines, what is the cause and what is the fix? I'm fairly competent mechanical wise, so if it's not into the lower end, I'll likely tackle it myself. Thanks for the info!

needsmoarturbo

If the timing has never been done then it's probably time.
You could mess around and try new vct solenoids, but in your 2008 you have to remove the valve covers so you're well on the way to just doing the timing job.
The oil pressure drops when the engine is at full temperature, since the oil thins out. Combine this with worn timing components and it's a recipe for what you describe.

Edit: the easiest non intrusive nothing you can do is try a thicker oil. Many guys report improvement by running 5w40 oil as it helps the pressure once warmed up if tolerances are on the loose side.

Aeromech

if you don’t get your timing chain issue fixed you’ll soon wish you did

stankyjeans

I couldn't agree more! 👍👍👍👍

Pics of my 'waited too long' disaster are on the forum somewhere. You can get a good look at my carnage and exactly what happens if you wait. Like most on here.. waiting is a money issue. I started gather parts as I could afford them. Usually I fix problems ASAP, but it's a long story and I couldn't simply pull that much money out of my back-side.

Unfortunately you just can't wait on the timing parts and expect a happy outcome although there are a few that got lucky (such as myself). Just remember the longer you wait.. the closer the time bomb is ticking down!

Danouell

👋🏻

i just finished my 2010 - 3 valve. I did it all including the dismount of the oil pan. Check engine/misfire and rough idle are gone. Thanks to the help I received here. I learned a lot.

Danouell

Edit: the easiest non intrusive nothing you can do is try a thicker oil. Many guys report improvement by running 5w40 oil as it helps the pressure once warmed up if tolerances are on the loose side.[/QUOTE]

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It does help, but it will comeback. It always did for mine with thicker oil.