5.4 3v ticking noise heard from driver side wheel well

[BigBoots]

I started hearing a ticking from the driver side of the truck and it can just barely be heard from on top of the engine, it is heard most from the driver side wheel well and especially heard behind the driver door where all the engine noises are suppressed. The point of noise sounds to be coming from either the exhaust manifold or a lifter idk. But I drained some oil (1/2 quart) about 100 or less miles after hearing and replaced the 1/2 quart will a half quart of marvel mystery oil. The ticking didn’t suppress and I’m having no power issues whatsoever, idles great, runs great, perfect oil pressure, I do oil changes under every 3,500 miles always topped off. I also thought it to be a loose spark plug but all I have done for that was spray some soapy water on the coil pack seals and none of them bubbled but it could’ve been minor when I did that idk. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
https://youtube.com/shorts/qW7jcv5mGi0?si=iYxo8vOnGf9HZT4l here’s a video of the ticking and the stuff running down the flange is burnt off soap water.

 

[BigBoots]

Also it speeds up with RPMs and it doesn’t go away

 

[DieselMonk]

Well… to me it sounds like a small exhaust manifold leak.

 

[BigBoots]

Ok thank you cuz that’s what I have been thinking this whole time but I haven’t found it yet, must be a small crack or gap in the gasket

 

[DieselMonk]

Ok thank you cuz that’s what I have been thinking this whole time but I haven’t found it yet, must be a small crack or gap in the gasket

That’s all it takes sometimes.

 

[Sylvan_Librarian]

I have the EXACT same issue. Inspecting things with a scope, revealed a sheared exhaust manifold bolt on the rear-most, driver-side. (5.4 2v)

 

[pitdexion]

Ditto.

 

[GaryH]

Or...possibly

Ford 5.4L 3v Triton Engine Tick Tap Diagnosis and Fix!

In this video we show you what a loose spark plug looks, smells and sounds like. This issue is more common than you would think. These early M16 thread Motor...

www.youtube.com

 

[2010ELExpy4x4]

Our 2010 has sheared stud rear passenger side is really noisy on start-up lessens when hot.

 

[KOTU]

Welcome to the 5.4L 3V club. It sounds like a lash adjuster. The dome-shaped adjuster's plunger head freezes and does not give when it rises to hit the roller/rocker's cup, resulting in no oil lubricating the contact area. The sound is a hard impact. The lash adjuster on the right is the worst-case scenario. On the left is a new lash adjuster. The dome with the hole on top plunges up and down to bring oil up from the crank case. Here is where oil spurts out to lubricate the rocker/roller cup. At this point, depending on your finances, you could only replace the lash adjuster or go ahead and do a full timing job like I did. Either way, you need to increase your knowledge by watching some how-to YouTube videos.

 

[BigBoots]

Every person I take it to says it sounds like a small exhaust leak, it is very loud when standing behind your driver door and can’t be heard almost at all from up top at the engine bay

 

[BigBoots]

Or...possibly

Ford 5.4L 3v Triton Engine Tick Tap Diagnosis and Fix!

In this video we show you what a loose spark plug looks, smells and sounds like. This issue is more common than you would think. These early M16 thread Motor...

www.youtube.com

I sprayed water on the coil packs and none bubbled and there’s no gas smell up top

 

[BigBoots]

Welcome to the 5.4L 3V club. It sounds like a lash adjuster. The dome-shaped adjuster's plunger head freezes and does not give when it rises to hit the roller/rocker's cup, resulting in no oil lubricating the contact area. The sound is a hard impact. The lash adjuster on the right is the worst-case scenario. On the left is a new lash adjuster. The dome with the hole on top plunges up and down to bring oil up from the crank case. Here is where oil spurts out to lubricate the rocker/roller cup. At this point, depending on your finances, you could only replace the lash adjuster or go ahead and do a full timing job like I did. Either way, you need to increase your knowledge by watching some how-to YouTube videos.View attachment 84461

This is it I just got it diagnosed by a professional

 

[danimerciss22]

Well… to me it sounds like a small exhaust manifold leak.