Engine noise during idle PLEASE HELP!

[Sehnsee]

I have a 01 expedition 5.4 Engine with 140k miles.

A few weeks ago it started making a sound that sounds like a loose belt or engine rattle. I took it to a local mechanic and he removed the belt and tensioner but the sound was still there, meaning it was coming from the engine.

He said it could be that I have the wrong type of oil in there causing low oil pressure or that the engine is going bad.

The sound is only noticeable when I'm idling. When I drive slow about 5mph with the windows down I can't hear it.

Does anyone have any idea what this is?

Should I drain the oil and refill ? If so what type of oil is best for 140k mile engine? And should I add an oil treatment? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

 

[Sehnsee]

I forgot to mention the check engine light is NOT on and it's NOT leaking oil.

 

[bcmaxx]

I have same year same size engine same noise. You can try 5w20 oil swap with an oem ford filter.

 

[01yellerCobra]

Sounds like the timing chain tensioner. At idle they're may not be enough oil pressure to keep it tight.

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[Sehnsee]

I thought it was the tensioner, but the mechanic looked at it and said the sound was coming from inside the engine

 

[FordandPolaris]

I thought it was the tensioner, but the mechanic looked at it and said the sound was coming from inside the engine

Timing chain tensioner is different from the belt tensioner. The timing chain is on the front of the motor and below a cover. It is pretty much "inside" the motor, though not technically.

 

[bcmaxx]

Does it go away randomly? Ours is there some times cold and doesn't go away. Sometines only happens when warm. Or sometimes not at all. Its a 10+ yr old beast so I've just decided to live with it. And install a replacement engine if it ever gets worse or causes a failure. Listen closely to thr passenger bank where the hesd meets the intake on the front cylinder. That's the are the noise seems to come from on ours and many others