I have an 01 f150 5.4. This is the newest gas truck I've ever owned. So I'm still getting familiar with it. The problem I'm having is intermittent valve chatter. The motor has 230k on it. It was regularly maintained by the previous owner. I get what I think is a valve tapping sometimes. The cluster oil gage shows good pressure. But I've never had a valve tap and just stop for no reason. Is this common? Or do I have a bigger issue at hand

 

Does it happen only when under load i.e going up a grade, pulling a load or wot? You may have a bad knock sensor.

 

When it happens it's consistent. It's up and down. And stays with the idle. Would a bad knock sensor throw a code.?

 

are you sure its not injector sounds?
preignition causes rattle, but usually only under heavy acceleration.

carbon in combustion chamber on high mile engine can raise compression and cause preignition. Again, under heavy acceleration usually.

 

Only when it's cold? Or worse when cold?

 

timing chain slap?

 

No its a valve. It's got wrose as I drove to work and drove home. Are these adjustable valves?

 

can you post a video on YouTube? And no I don't think they are.

 

I can try to post a video in the morning. It sounds like the 3rd cylinder on the drivers side.

 

could it be an exhaust manifold tick?