Recently did a timing job ~1k miles ago. Truck ran quietly. Had an oil leak from the passenger valve cover but I fixed that and it ran super quietly for 750 miles. Well after that it developed a slight tick that seems to be on drivers side. Can’t hear it much when driving but when idling it’s pretty noticeable even inside the cab. Doesn’t go away when engine is hot and increases frequency of “ticks” when RPMs increase. Tick sounds louder when I get by the drivers side tire, and especially when under the truck. Upgraded to melling oil pump and now run 5w-30. I did NOT replace lash adjusters when I originally did the timing job, just replaced roller followers ( I know this was dumb of me I should’ve researched a little more thoroughly). Everything was Ford OEM none of that crap after market stuff. I attached a video of the noise. So I guess I just have a couple questions:

1. Is this probably a lash adjuster that is going bad, or does it sound more like an exhaust leak? Possibly something else?

2. if it is a lash adjuster, am I able to use a wedge and keep the timing chain in place and then remove cam shaft without needing to tear into front cover? If this is possible, how would I go about doing this? I have a spring compressor tool.

Thanks for your time, any help would be greatly appreciated. As a college student I’m so close to just selling this truck and buying something reliable but would hate to have a car payment.

 

The engine has trouble, yes, possibly a hydraulic lash adjuster
It does not sound like an exhaust leak
Purchase a cheap Craftsman et al. mechanics stethoscope
The HLA's are replaceable once the roller followers are removed and you do not need a spring compressor
Not sure what I'd do in your shoes
I think you should concentrate on school and possibly get another truck or vehicle
I also think you should see the dealer or a tech about the noise
If a lifter tick HLA in your case, they will run indefinitely ticking
If a bottom end noise or something heavy, the engine might not last the summer
Get several second opinions
007

 

Doesn't sound terrible, IMO. I would check that all the spark plugs are properly tight, and look for an exhaust leak. Sometimes sounds don't translate in video the same way they are in real life but thats what I hear.

 

Doesn’t sound heavy I’m fairly confident it’s a HLA. Hoping to trade it in and let it be a dealerships problem. Lol, thanks for the reply.

 

Yeah it really doesn’t sound horrible. I did tighten spark plugs. Thanks for the reply.