Ok, so a couple months ago I was idling on the boat ramp trying to load the boat and my 2001 F150 4.6 starts ticking. I got it to level ground to find I was 1 1/2 quarts low on oil. I added oil but it still ticks.

Later I removed the right hand valve cover to check the valve lifters and found a loose timing chain.

I have now replaced both tensioners and guides. (The chain was replaced about 2 years ago, 20K miles, while replacing the cyl. head due to a plug blowout repaire gone wrong) It still ticks. Now I'm thinking it has to be oil pressure. I added Seafoam and drove it about 100 miles with no change.

An engine guy told me I'll never get the tick out of it without a motor swap.

I haven't checked the oil pressure yet but I was thinking about maybe a new oil pump? Maybe a motor flush? Any ideas?

 

I can point some things out for ytuh, -

Your engine doesn't have lifters.

NEVER use additives in the crankcase unless you absolutely without out a doubt know what your doing. Since 9 times out of ten you make matters worse as it wasn't the problem in the first place.

First I've heard of anyone removing a head after an insert has gone bad. Was it a Time sert BIG sert or something ? If so, yea, if one of those went bad, - that's a first.

Change the PCV valve to a correct Motorcraft part. Confirm your not hearing injector noise, they can get very loud and tick. Personally I've never heard a two valve modular tic internally....since they use lash adjusters. They will tic externally from loose plugs and exhaust manifold leaks or like I said, the wrong PCV valve.

 

I forgot one. If the pulleys get wet on the front of the engine, they can tick like crazy. It may stop after awhile and it may not. I mention that because it sounds exactly like chains hitting the front cover. That's fooled me more than once lol.

 

When the plug blew out of the head, the dealership "repaired" it NOT according to the TSB, when the "repair" blew out, I changed the head.

Ok, lash adjusters...I changed the lash adjusters on cyl 1-2 as that was all Autozone had in stock. That is when I noticed the chain. I can lift it with my finger.

I have started the engine with the valve cover off and the chain is real loose.

 

The belt pulleys? I only back the truck to the rear wheels.

 

I unplugged each injector with no change. Also, today I got a P0171. Maybe due to the timing being slightly off because of the loose chain?

 

All your answers don't make sense to me. I mean, well, -I guess you didn't understand or I don't ...iduno lol.

Good Luck all the same.