Alright guys and gals, I have been trolling this forum for months and decided it was time to join. What better way to throw my hat in the ring than to ask a phaser/VCT question. Don't be too hard me though, as I have searched and searched for my specific situation that I am experiencing and have yet to really find a solution. So I have an 07 Screw FX4 42k miles and it is my first Ford vehicle. The problem I am having is when the motor is at normal operating temp., and the rpms are held between 700 and 1100 there is a loud clacking noise coming form the motor. I don't really get the "deisel" sound from the phasers, it's just the clack at this certain rpm range. I have taken it by 2 different trusted mechanics that said it sounds like a stuck lifter to them. I have also taken it to 2 different Ford dealerships and one said it was normal injector noise. Now granted I am not mechanic, but I am also not an idiot (could be wrong) but there is no way this noise is normal. The other dealership said that it was the VCT in between "retard" and "advance" and that was creating the noise. That at least makes some sense. I know that StuckZipper replaced the VCT solenoid and had some great results with the change, but does anyone think that would be my solution as well? I am reaching out to anyone with some advice or even an opinion. My apoligies for the long explanation, and any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Anyone??

 

Yes I think it is the VCT also.

 

welcome (from the other new guy) and I admire your optimism that there's some way to definitely tell what's wrong by the sound of the noise.

Maybe if you got one of those cheap automotive stethescopes you could hold it around the VCT and see if the noise is loudest there?

Mine has several clicking noises. It's like the story of the eskimos who have 100 words for "snow".

My philosophy at this point is that at $87 apiece (tasca), it's a relatively cheap try at what could be a much more expensive problem. And one of my noises HAS to be the VCTs (surely .... come on... I'm just asking for one)

I'm trying auto-rx first (hoping for a stuck lifter)
Then the VCT and the spark plugs
Then I'll DIY the phasers and look for whatever a lash adjuster is.

Good luck whateer you try and let us know how it works out.

Island Truck
2004 F-150 XLT 5.4 4x4 136,000 miles

 

If its a clicking, its noisy injectors. I can't remember if the 07 have the same noisy ones as my 04 does. VCT will be a pretty solid knock. There's a video on youtube somewhere that separates the sounds from each other.

 

Yea , it is not the clicking of the injectors. It s more of a clacking (the best way I know how to describe it). It sounds like a can of spray paint when you shake it, but I only hear it between 700 and 1100 rpms when engine is warm. I am leaning toward the VCT solenoids, but I just want to see if anyone else has/had the same situation. I have checked all over youtube and different Ford forums but to no avail.
Thanks again.

 

there's been several members on here who've had the luck of just changing out the solenoids and everything being perfect. I haven't tried the solenoids just yet because I haven't had any major issues yet. Eventually, I will, but until its broke, I won't fix it

 

Hey Jorge, what if it sounds broke?

 

^haha, i have an 04 fx4 and from inside the truck, there is a kinda dull deep knock that sounds like its coming from the passenger floor board. its only at idle though. when i rev it to about 1000 all i have is the chatter/ticking from injectors. is that described more as vct's? where are the vct's? or is it single as in one vct? solenoid of course.

 

The VCT solenoids are on top of both valve covers towards the front. The noise I am getting is vastly different from the injectors ticking. I can hear the "sewing machine" tick of the injectors. But the noise I am after is a loud clacking sound. I am going to try and get a short video clip up to try and clarify the sound.