Ticking
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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Ticking
Hey guys I have a 2004 F 150 supercrew 5.4 with a programmer and dual exhaust. It makes a ticking sound when I press on the gas going down the road though. When I have the windows down and driving about 30 I can hear it the best. It seems to be more towards the passenger side of the pickup because I can hear it better out that side. Just wondering what you guys think may be the problem? Or anything to try that may take the ticking away. Thanks alot
Moderator (Ret.)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 9,460
Likes: 486
From: Lake Mary Florida
An exhaust manafold gasket leak, exhaust manafold to down tube "donut gasket" leak, cam phasers (if 5.4), or other exhaust leak.
Who installed the exhaust? Take it to an exhaust shop, have them put it on a lift; they can check for leaks.
Who installed the exhaust? Take it to an exhaust shop, have them put it on a lift; they can check for leaks.
Something
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 215
Likes: 3
From: Sussex Co. Delaware
what kind of tick???
Like a really loud ticking or is it the same ticking you would hear with your truck idling with the hood opened???
Go to this website and watch episode 22 "5.4 VCT operation and theory:"
http://www.flatratetech.com/index.php?categoryid=4
I know this video can be a little boring at times, but try to watch the whole thing.
And... I say this to everyone complaining about a "tick" so please forgive me if you are talking about something completely different; a lot of people do not understand the VCT operation as such:
When my engine is idling or I am driving down the road without creating much manifold pressure (not flooring it) my 5.4 makes a tick as well, but this is a "normal" tick. It happens when the engine is carrying the truck forward without a high amount of internal (intake) manifold pressure. The variable cam-timing phasers will advance the cam timing to a certain amount and the tick is the lash adjusters opening the intake valves into that advanced mode of operation (I believe I have that right, but would love it if someone corrected me if I was wrong). I have watched that episode so many times, I'm pretty sure I have it right.
If your tick is something completely different, more like a tapping on metal sound, check your engine and transmission oil dipstick holder tubes (I don't know the actual names of these parts, I am horrible with names). Sometimes those tubes can come a little loose and cause a tapping sound, especially when you are giving the engine a lot of gas such as going up a steep hill.
As well the exhaust manifold could be loose like Bucko says if it is a louder ticking sound. But like I said before, my 5.4 makes the tick, and it is kind of loud (not a BANG BANG BANG!!!! loud, but a constant ticking, like if someone was tapping 2 wrenches together).
Go to this website and watch episode 22 "5.4 VCT operation and theory:"
http://www.flatratetech.com/index.php?categoryid=4
I know this video can be a little boring at times, but try to watch the whole thing.
And... I say this to everyone complaining about a "tick" so please forgive me if you are talking about something completely different; a lot of people do not understand the VCT operation as such:
When my engine is idling or I am driving down the road without creating much manifold pressure (not flooring it) my 5.4 makes a tick as well, but this is a "normal" tick. It happens when the engine is carrying the truck forward without a high amount of internal (intake) manifold pressure. The variable cam-timing phasers will advance the cam timing to a certain amount and the tick is the lash adjusters opening the intake valves into that advanced mode of operation (I believe I have that right, but would love it if someone corrected me if I was wrong). I have watched that episode so many times, I'm pretty sure I have it right.
If your tick is something completely different, more like a tapping on metal sound, check your engine and transmission oil dipstick holder tubes (I don't know the actual names of these parts, I am horrible with names). Sometimes those tubes can come a little loose and cause a tapping sound, especially when you are giving the engine a lot of gas such as going up a steep hill.
As well the exhaust manifold could be loose like Bucko says if it is a louder ticking sound. But like I said before, my 5.4 makes the tick, and it is kind of loud (not a BANG BANG BANG!!!! loud, but a constant ticking, like if someone was tapping 2 wrenches together).