Clicking and Rough Idle 2010 5.4

[MichaelH]

Hi friends;

I have a 2010 XLT 5.4 with 120k well maintained miles. The most peculiar thing has been happening - Especially when the truck is at an angle, going up a hill (I live in Colorado), and/or driving slowly for extended periods in traffic... An awful clicking-clacking noise comes from the engine compartment and the idle becomes super rough. Usually, hitting the accelerator will fix this for a bit until the truck is level again. I first noticed this in a driveway and thought it an aberration, but it has continued and the other day I was in traffic on a steep mountain pass and it was so bad I thought I'd be stranded there.

I haven't been able to find anything in the forums on this, although a youtube search tells me that it could be the roller followers, lash adjusters, VCT solenoid... I just want to know who else has encountered this, if its something I can fix on my own, or how much it might cost at a shop.

 

[JExpedition07]

Sounds to me like bad VCT solonoids. Does it only happen as idle or low rpm? That’s usually a tell tale. Solonoids are easy, you have to pull valve covers but they are simple to do yourself.

 

[MichaelH]

Yes, only at idle and low RPM. Watching a YouTube tutorial on VCT solenoids, it does look like removing the valve cover is the most difficult part of the job

 

[deweysmith]

The incline has me thinking… Have you checked the oil level?

 

[MichaelH]

Yes, the oil level is correct and I use only Motorcraft synthetic blend 5w20

 

[gixer2000]

Yes, only at idle and low RPM. Watching a YouTube tutorial on VCT solenoids, it does look like removing the valve cover is the most difficult part of the job

Might be worth checking oil pressure before dropping a few hundred bucks into solenoids. Poor oil pressure can cause issues that look like a bad VTC