Wow! You're extremely lucky the dealership is cutting you slack with labor rates. It could possibly be the VCT solenoids, there has been several revisions done to them, if that isn't the problem after everything you've had changed it might be time to replace the truck.

 

The truck runs great in spite of this tick, I hate to jump from one truck with a problem to another being that I can't afford new. Here is the video of the sound, sorry for the wind noise that the mic. picked up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm9QP...ature=youtu.be

 

Carl,

That doesn't sound like my tick at all. To me, it sounds like your truck is "dieseling". There have been some other threads with guys who said their truck sounded like a diesel. You may want to check them out as well.

 

I gotta say, my truck sounds almost exactly like that ... and I haven't touched my lash adjusters, COPs, sparkplugs or injectors. When I first bought my truck the noise was very, very pronounced and I put in new (later-gen) phasers and replaced all the timing components. The truck quieted quite a lot, but like I said sounds just like yours.

I get 13mpg in town and 17-18 on the highway ... just like advertised. I use no oil and the truck has tons of power. I gotta say (and have said many times on this forum already) ... I really wish I would have avoided the 5.4L 3V Triton ... it is quite a basket case. But I am stuck with this truck for at least 2 or 3 years, so I guess I'll just live with it.

The one thing I did do that makes me feel "better" is I have a mechanical oil PSI gauge tapped-in and monitor my REAL pressures. I have better than spec oil pressure...so I just try not to sweat all that blasted noise.

There is a guy on here ... "5-1-5-0" I think is his profile name ... he totally went thru an '05 or '06, I think. In the end, after chasing the noises on his, he put in a completely new long-block. If I were you, I don't know how much more time/money I'd spend on it...live with it or bite the bullet and start seeking out a good rebuilder that puts out a long block with a 3yr/36K warranty on it.

My .02

 

Even if it is "dieseling" I have changed out all of the possible causes except the valves in the head. I am being quoted from the dealer as low as $1400 to $2000. Only other possibility would be lower end of the motor but they would know once the head is off if the head has problems or not I would think.

 

Just got finished talking to the dealership regarding the ticking noise. If it is NOT the diesel ticking noise, and it is NOT an exhaust leak, it is your fuel injectors. They said the 5.4 L 2004-2008 were notorious for having very loud fuel injectors.

The way you can tell is if it only very noticeable during cold start and acceleration before the engine warms up. After some time once the engine warms up, the ticking noise is still there but very subtle. (Only hear it when you're next to a wall or standing at the front of the truck). They assured it wasn't anything harming the truck or will effect performance.

Keep in mind, this was a dealership telling me this. Hopefully this helps somebody out.

 

U don't have lash adjusters that are adjustable except by fit. Exhaust valves tighten up and intake valves loosen up with miles driven.

 

All of the fuel injectors were replaced as well, noise is only on passenger side. If the valves tighten up and loosen up and this could be the source of the problem how does that translate into the noise that it is making??

 

The lash adjusters are hydraulic, spring-loaded "lifters" for all practical purposes. Look for threads by "Primalurges" as he learned first-hand that his noise was emanating from stuck (open) and/or collapsed lash adjusters. Basically the lash adjusters are the opposite side of the rocker (aka follower) from the valve. If the lash adjusters get stuck/sticky, they will make a LOT of racket. There only has to be a little bit of play for the rocker to "slap" the top of the lash adjuster nipple during every lobe rotation.

At this point, I am almost certain (after Primalurges' write-up) that my remaining noise is from sticky / stuck lash adjusters. I notice on my truck that after I have put about 30 miles / 30-40 minutes drive-time on my truck, my noise gets even quieter. When cold...man oh man is the noise quite noticeable. For example, after driving home last night, I parked my truck had some dinner and had to go back out and run an errand ... the truck was so much quieter than it is in the mornings (even after coming up to full-op temp).

Something about extended drive time seems to "free-up" whatever is clacking around ... and I am about 90% certain it is the lash adjusters.

 

Well for all who are dealing with the tick I would suggest the following; if the parts you replace are not showing any signs of wear than don't close up the truck before you deal into it deeper. I have had my truck torn down 3 times and replaced good parts with good parts but did not get rid of the problem. I should have taken the head off and have it looked at before everything was put back together. Now I have to have a 4th tear down.