Hi, i have an 04 f150 with ticking sound when running. not sure what it is or if it should be fixed?

 

what engine

 

its the 5.4

 

is it worse on cold start up or after the engine is hot?

 

neither it just has this ticking sound all the time.. and i cant tell if it speeds up as i speed up or not

 

Does it sound like a diesel when you are going through a drive thru or drive next to a high wall? What kind and weight of oil and what oil filter are you using, how long since the last change? If it goes away when the engine is warmed up, I would suspect a exhaust manifold. If it sounds like a diesel in a drive thru, I would think phasers are starting to go. If it only lasts for a few seconds upon start up, I would think your timing tensioners are bleeding down, that why I asked about the oil filter. Use motorcraft filters, they have a drainback valve to help prevent this. If it goes away over 1500-1600 rpms, then look into your VCT Solenoids. And finally, they may just be your fuel injectors, they are noisy anyway. Get a mechanics stethoscope for a few dollars at Harbor Freight or your local parts store and see if you can pinpoint the noise. Check each fuel injector and you will hear what I'm talking about. Probe near the front of you valve covers and you can listen to the phasers. Get back with your results so we can help more.

Tom