I just bought a 2002 Ford F150 FX4 with the 5.4L engine. It has 157,000 miles on it and there are several sounds that I need to figure out. The one I am most worried about is a knock or tick that you can hear when you turn the truck on. It is constant but not in all that fast of a beat. If anyone has any ideas of what it could be please post your thoughts. If you need more details to determine the problem, please ask! Thankyou.

 

Where is the noise? Is it a tick (more of a pitter patter) or knock (deeper banging)? Does it goes away when warmed up? Does it get louder with acceleration

 

I would say it is more of a tick. It is loud enough to hear from standing near the truck, but it is not as noticeable inside the cab. I have not noticed whether it goes away or not when warmed up and it does not seem to get louder with acceleration.

 

Could be a lifter or compression tick I'd check plugs to see if ones loose

 

I've got an update- Driving it earlier today, I noticed that the tick seems to go at a faster tempo under acceleration, however it does not get louder. It is sometimes hard to hear over the roar of the 5.4. Let me know if this changes anything. Thanks again!

 

Well the number one issue with ticking in these trucks is broken exhaust manifold studs (mine had it). But exhaust leaks usually quiet up when it warms up. Maybe its a lash adjuster(top end noise usually) or noisy timing equipment (noise from cover)

 

It is making a noise at lower speeds that sounds like some sort of grinding or vibrating. I was thinking that it maybe something to do with the exhaust. Does this sound like it may be related to the ticking?

 

Mine does this too. How can I check to see if its a broken exhaust stud?

 

Look in your wheel well behind the inner fender at the exhaust manifold. In the pic notice the broken one on the left and the intact one on the right

 

It sounds like, after driving it, the tick is a little louder than on initial start up. I can hear it best if I listen under the truck, behind either front wheel. It sounds like it is coming from the bottom center portion of the engine. Thanks for all the suggestions so far, I really appreciate it.