gatkins94

that's what I notice most on mine....I was thinking the same thing.

billyjo

i hope this helps you all, this is the tsb from ford, print it out and use at the dealerships. It shows them that you know that they know of the problem

TICKING AND/OR KNOCKING NOISE FROM TSB 05-15-8
ENGINE—4.6L/5.4L 3V
FORD: LINCOLN:
2005 Mustang 2005 Navigator
2004-2005 F-150
2005 Expedition, F-250, F-350

PRE-CHECKSISSUE
Some vehicles equipped with a 4.6L 3-valve or 5.4L

1. Make sure you have a detailed description of
3-valve engine may exhibit a ticking and/or knocking
the noise the customer is concerned with,
noise after reaching normal operating temperature.
including whether the noise is occurring at idle
The noise may be described as “ticks”, “taps”,
or above idle speed (does it disappear above
“knocks”, or “thumps”. In some cases the noise may
1200 RPM), and if the engine is cold, hot, or
be a normal characteristic of these engines. In other
both when the noise is occurring. These
cases the noise may require further investigation.
engines generate a lot of “normal” noises, so it
Sorting out and defining the noise as reported by
is critical to confirm the noise the customer is
the customer is important to successfully diagnose
concerned with.
and/or repair the condition.

2. Determine what environment the customer is in
ACTION when the noise is most noticeable to them
Before starting diagnosis, it is critical to determine (inside passenger compartment, next to building
the specific engine noise the customer is concerned with/without the driver and/or passenger window
with. The customer should be interviewed to get open, or beside the wheel well). Validate by
their detailed perception and description of the using your own perception.
noise, and to determine if the noise occurs at idle

3. Compare the noise generated with a newor above idle speed, and if the engine is cold, hot,
vehicle, if available, with an ENGINE build dateor both. Attempt to duplicate the noise, and
of 3/30/2005 or later on Mustang and 4/18/2005determine the source of the symptom. Refer to the
or later on F-150 to F-350, Expedition andfollowing Service Procedure to help determine the
Navigator vehicles.source of the noise and if a repair is needed.

4. Diagnose noise when engine is at normalSERVICE PROCEDURE
operating temperature (Oil at 160° F (71° C) or
NOTE above). Verify oil temperature by using a
READ THIS SECTION IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE diagnostic scan tool and monitoring the engine
BEGINNING. oil temperature (EOT) PID.
NOTE

5. Check the type of oil filter installed on the
THE 4.6L 3V AND 5.4L 3V ENGINES ARE vehicle. A dirty or clogged filter may cause a
INSTALLED IN SEVERAL VEHICLE PLATFORMS, pressure drop. Look for aftermarket brands not
WHICH MAY INFLUENCE THE INTENSITY OF recognized in the market or a production filter
NOISE DUE TO VEHICLE DIFFERENCES IN that has gone beyond the standard Ford
SOUND TRANSMISSION PATHS, HOOD AND recommended change interval.
BODY INSULATION PACKAGES, AND ROOT

6. Check for signs of oil brand used and viscosity
CAUSE OF THE COMPONENT(S) CAUSING THE
(interview customer if needed). Motorcraft SAE
NOISE.
5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil or
equivalent is recommended.
NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do
the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper
vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers”. Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a
Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation
determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article.The information in this Technical Service Bulletin
(TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this information with updates.The most recent information is
available through Ford Motor Company’s on-line technical resources.
Copyright  2005 Ford Motor Company PAGE 1

TSB 05-15-8 (Continued)
Once the above pre-checks are complete, check for VCT phasers may knock at hot idle. It may be
sound level from the following components, in the heard inside the passenger compartment, or the
order listed. Compare the sound from these wheel well area. Some light noise is normal. The
components to the noise the customer is concerned engine may require a cold soak overnight for a full
with, to determine the source of the noise. diagnosis to effectively be made at hot idle,
particularly when a VCT phaser is suspected.

The INJECTION / FUEL SYSTEM
knock is not prevalent at cold temperature.
Injector noise (ticking) is considered normal. Noise

To test for VCT noise:
increases with RPM hot or cold and is recognized
at the top of the engine.

1. Place the transmission in park or neutral.
VALVE TRAIN

2. Bring engine oil temperature to 160° F (71° C)
or above as indicated by the scan tool “EOT”
Lash adjusters can make a ticking/tapping noise
PID. noticeable at any engine RPM/temperature and is
audible through the wheel well or an open hood.

3. Allow engine to idle, and determine if noise is
However, with the hood down, lash adjuster noise noticeable.
can be heard as a light tapping noise through the

4. Set engine speed to over 1200 RPM (if noise is
wheel well and is considered normal.
a VCT knock, the noise should disappear).
Tracing this noise must be isolated to a cylinder

5. Return engine speed to idle (verify knock
bank. If one bank is louder than the other bank,
returns). focus the diagnostic to the loud bank. If both banks
seem loud with the hood down, compare wheel well
If the noise intensity is more than a lightly audible
sound level to another comparable vehicle.
knock at hot idle under 1200 RPM at engine
operating temperature, replace the cam phaser
Use a stethoscope on the top of the cam cover bolt
using the camshaft “In-Vehicle Repair” procedure
heads to confirm which bank is affected. Move the
found in the Workshop Manual.
probe from front to rear if necessary.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
If isolated, replace all the lifters, intake and exhaust,
only on the affected cylinder bank. 5L1Z-6500-AA Lash Adjuster (2005 Vehicles)
3L3Z-6500-BA Lash Adjuster (2004 Vehicles)

VARIABLE CAM TIMING 3R2Z-6A257-DA VCT Phaser & Bolt
The 4.6L 3V and 5.4L 3V variable cam timing
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of
(VCT) feature may emit a light knock in normal
New Vehicle Limited
operation and is audible only at idle speed, with a
Warranty Coverage
hot engine (gear selector in park/neutral). However,
DEALER CODING
it may be masked by or mistaken for other noises
CONDITION
generated from either injector firing or a
BASIC PART NO. CODE
malfunctioning valve train as described above. The
6007 42
noise does not affect performance or durability of
the part.