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I have a 2004 f150 with about 148000 miles on it and when i first start it up the engine has a loud clicking. I know that the 5.4L is known for having a clicking noise but it is louder than most and dies down a bit once it has been running for a bit. Every once in a while when i start it up it has a slight knock like when you start up a diesel but it goes away. It has less power than any other 5.4L that i have driven and it has a programmer on it. It has 3.55 gears in the rear end so I dont know if that could affect the power. My dad said he thinks it sounds like there might be a lifter loose. Could that be the problem or is it likely to be something else? Thanks for your input!
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see if this helps.
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/diagnosing-noises-in-your-car
I assume the engine in your truck is a 3 valve Triton. There are several known problems with that engine. Mostly noises from valve train component wear. Infrequent oil changes
seem to accelerate the problemsExhaust manifolds rot off on those trucks and the bolts break causing an exhaust leak that sometimes goes away when the engine warms up. The drivers side seems to cause the most problem.
Sticking or worn valve lifters, worn timing chains or broken chain guides, and “wonkey” cam phasers are other sources of noise on those engines.
I would get an opinion from a professional who works on those trucks frequently as the noise could be caused by any or all of the above.
ok thanks guys i was planning on taking it in but I was just curious and I have done regular oil changes every about 3000 miles since I got the truck with 115000 on it
There was a problem with the cam phaser going bad.
http://www.justanswer.com/ford/5sc2j-2004-f150-fix-cam-phaser-issue.html
I agree with the problem likely being in the valve train. The truck had 115k miles on it when you got it so maybe the problem was created by the previous owner who was not as diligent as you are with oil changes and it’s just taken this long for the problem to surface.
In addition to proper oil change intervals it’s also equally important to use the correct oil viscosity. If you’re using ‘thicker’ oil you’re not doing the top end of your engine any favors. That said, there are known issues with that engine and it may not have anything to do with anything you did or did not do.
Keep us posted on what you find.
Ive been using the correct viscosity and ive got an appointment for tuesday so thank you for all the input and Ill keep you posted!
The guy said he thought that it was the cam phaser so thank you guys for your input! does anyone have an idea on about how much that’ll cost to be replaced before I go and get a price?
I agree I have 15 fords in the fleet and several have had cam phaser noise,we run mostly highway miles and change the oil at 5k,some made the noise from about 10k miles then after a while the noise went away, other units never made the noise at all.
Ok thank you! can a cam phaser just go out randomly and leave me stranded or will it be alright until I can fix it?
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