hi people...im buying a 2004 ford f-150 .5.4 liter ,,i heard it running. clicking sounds,any known problem?

Question

any known problems with the 5.4's ,,,,, valve or lifters or is this sound norm?

Answer 1

Fix
Or
Repair
Daily

Answer 2

As a Ford technician I can tell you that the 5.4L 3valve has variable cam timing problems, on the front of both cam shafts instead of a timing sprocket, there is what's call a cam phaser, I know that this sounds like a star trek warp engine part but it's not, depending on the mileage of the truck, you may be able to get ford to cover some of the cost of the repair. There is an updated part and when properly repaired this should not happen again, the thing about it is, there are two of them in each engine so you don't necessarily have to replace them both but if you don't there will be a chance that it will happen on the other side. The part number for the cam phaser is 3R2Z-6A257-DA, you will also need valve cover gaskets but I would take it to the dealer because if the job isn't done right there could be SERIOUS engine damage. This repair is only necessary if the ticking noise can be heard from inside the cab. otherwise it's normal injector and valve train noise

Answer 3

Judging by your question you know a little about motors.

My suggestion is as follows.

Ask the owner that you want to come over and see the vehicle early in the morning. Tell him explicitly that you want to start the motor while it is cold.

Have you ever wondered why a used car is usually parked in the driveway when you show up. He will come out and pretend he was doing something else. Grab the keys and guess what, the vehicle starts right up. Then immediately the Temp gauge is at Normal. Hmmmm.... Maybe the car was running thirty seconds before you pulled in.

You get the idea.

Take a long thin screw driver. and take along a piece of garden hose or fuel hose. Roughly 24" long.

Why?

A Doctor uses a stethescope to hear your heart and lungs. You can gently rest a screw driver on the valve cover of a running engine to determine what cylinder the "ticking" is coming from. The hose placed on the engine and just touching your ear will amaze you. You will be able to tell if what you are hearing is "normal fuel injector noise" or if someone was a little laxed in changing the oil.

No perfect answer for this one my friend. Use good common sense and the tools I mentioned above. Good Luck.

Answer 4

I have an 04 F150 SuperCrew. Same motor, had the same noise. Almost sounded like a diesel at idle. Lots of people told me that the injectors were noisy on this particular truck. And I agreed the injectors are noisy. But I was hearing something else. Then I read about the cam phazer problem and called 2 local dealerships. One said they hadn't heard of it and the other said they have done many. So I took it in and they wound up replacing both cam phazers. Truck sounds better, and has better mpg. Got 18mpg with the cruise set on 80mph on a recent trip. Before that the best I could get is 16mpg.

Other than the cam phazer problem its an awesome truck.

Answer 5

The cam phasers are a known problem in some areas more than others but yes it's a problem and more on 04s but usually more on startup for the phasers.. The TSB has you check for other noises as some are common and others aren't.... But most is more noise complaint than quality issue.

Only other known problems is occasional fuel injectors sticking open and changing spark plugs being a mother f***er... Tune up time, is best to bring to Ford dealer as most independants wind up bringing it to them after they crack the spark plugs in the head anyway (there is a special way as described in a TSB to remove and a tool to use if the plug does crack in the head)

But I've seen numerous at 100k miles already with no issues other than the above

Answer 6

hey - i would get a 2005 f-150 as 2004 was the first year of the current style. they are excellent trucks and take a very light weight oil... however the breaking system is weak on the 04 and was beefed up for the 05...

keep on truckin.

Answer 7

i own a repair shop,and when the oil gets a little dirty in the 5.4,s the valves will make a little noise on them,other than that there good vehicles and give pretty good service but i wouldn't worry too much about the small tapping noise on it ,its not a major job even if it had to have lifters put in it,,good luck,i hope this help,s.

Answer 8

Do what we did; park it. in case you have a distinctive automobile you may rigidity or automobile pool with somebody, then do the two of those. shop up the money you would be spending on gas and purchase a affordable older automobile. as long because it gets you the place you're going and is greater valuable on gas than the F-a hundred and fifty, decide for it.

Answer 9

Some of the rocker arm rollers are frozen, if not fix it will wear out the camshaft.

Answer 10

Thats not normal.