Engine Ticking

[BrinkExpo]

My 06 Expedition with 150k miles runs great. However if I rev the motor quick in neutral or if I give it a quick acceleration in drive or reverse, the motor makes a ticking/rattling sound like something is loose in there. It only does this at the lower RPMs and then goes away at higher RPMs.

If you just drive it slowly around town and don't hit the throttle too fast, you never hear it.

Sometime it makes a similar noise when starting it up but only for about 2 seconds and then goes away

Any of you guys know what this could be? Any advice is much appreciated

 

[ChrisOIFdoc]

Cam phaser issue.

 

[docraymund]

Check the timing chain. It may be loose or the guides are worn.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

The cam phasers are controlled by solenoids. Low oil pressure will cause the cam phaser to wear and get lose. At low RPMs they are locked by the solenoids and if there is any, wear in the cam phaser itself, slop in the chain, or a weak chain tensioner you will hear a ticking sound. As the rpm comes up the computer controls the advancing or the retarding of the timing. Typically you will not hear the ticking at higher RPMs.

The start up noise often called marbles in a can it what you hear before the oil pressure builds up. It is worse right after you change the oil and filter because it takes longer to build pressure.

The rattling sound could be because the chain guides have deteriorated and the chain his hitting the cover.

There is a set of 4 of these videos, here is the first one.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Also ensure you have the correct volume and viscosity motor oil, and a quality filter such as Motorcraft.

 

[BrinkExpo]

Thanks, I have Ford semi synthetic 5w20 oil with Ford oil filter. Is that pretty spendy labor to do the timing chain or cam phasers? Looks like parts are around $200 for each kit.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Thanks, I have Ford semi synthetic 5w20 oil with Ford oil filter. Is that a pretty spendy fix to do the timing chain or cam phasers?

Not if you can do it yourself. the dealer is going to charge $2500-$3000 an independent shop will charge less. If you are going to tear the front of the engine off you might as well do it all, timing chain, tensioners, and guides, cam phasers, oil pump, solenoids Then you won't have to worry about it for 150K miles. Probably $900-$1200 in parts depending on how far you go.

 

[ChrisOIFdoc]

Cam phaser issue. The problem won't go away until it's been locked out.

 

[Hugh Janus]

Keep an eye on those cam phasers - they'll likely wear out in the next 200,000 miles.

Seriously, ticking phasers is a design defect that is "normal" - so don't worry about it. However, pay attention to the "rattle" noise and if it gets to the point where it sounds like a diesel when you accelerate - time for timing chains & tensioners.

 

[BrinkExpo]

At how many miles are guys usually having to do this? My old man has a 3v 5.4 with 250k on his and has never done cam phasers or timing chain

 

[ChrisOIFdoc]

At how many miles are guys usually having to do this? My old man has a 3v 5.4 with 250k on his and has never done cam phasers or timing chain

What year is his? Did he buy it new, or did he buy it with some miles on it and the previous owner had the lockout installed? Sell it now and don't look back. I don't care what anyone else tells you. Sell it.

 

[BrinkExpo]

What year is his? Did he buy it new, or did he buy it with some miles on it and the previous owner had the lockout installed? Sell it now and don't look back. I don't care what anyone else tells you. Sell it.

He had a 2004 with 395,000 miles on it and to my knowledge he never had to do cam phasers or timing chain. Now he has a 2010 that he bought with very low miles on it.

I am having a hard time selling it because of the work I have done recently. Transmission, $1,500 in body work(including core support), brakes and rotors, plugs, tensioner, idler pulleys, serpentine belt, etc.

I don't want to lose so much money on this truck, I just bought it in January. I was just hoping to have a good running truck for another 5 years or so after fixing all this stuff.

 

[ChrisOIFdoc]

He had a 2004 with 395,000 miles on it and to my knowledge he never had to do cam phasers or timing chain. Now he has a 2010 that he bought with very low miles on it.

I am having a hard time selling it because of the work I have done recently. Transmission, $1,500 in body work(including core support), brakes and rotors, plugs, tensioner, idler pulleys, serpentine belt, etc.

I don't want to lose so much money on this truck, I just bought it in January. I was just hoping to have a good running truck for another 5 years or so after fixing all this stuff.

Ok...then I highly highly recommend you have the cam phaser lockout kit installed. If you want to find out for sure if your cam phasers are the issue, then go out to your truck and disconnect the harness from the sensor and see if the noise goes away. I just tried helping a guy on this forum and he ignored what I said and he's 6k into a lawn ornament. Good luck.

 

[BrinkExpo]

Thanks a lot for your help, I'll definitely do the lockout. Does anyone on the forum have the tune for the cam phaser lockout? I have the SCT tuner. Just need the tune.

Also is there a way on the forum to find people in the twin cities that work on these Expeditions?

 

[ChrisOIFdoc]

Thanks a lot for your help, I'll definitely do the lockout. Does anyone on the forum have the tune for the cam phaser lockout? I have the SCT tuner. Just need the tune.

Also is there a way on the forum to find people in the twin cities that work on these Expeditions?

Watch This video

 

[Hugh Janus]

I'm missing something - why do you think you need to do the lock out?

Is there some sort of urgency? Do you know of cases of motors self-destructing because of the "tick"?

I thought I was following this thread but I must've missed something.

 

[the bus]

My 2 cents, use a long screwdriver to determine location of tick. I had a cam hold down cracking giving me a tick.

 

[BrinkExpo]

My 2 cents, use a long screwdriver to determine location of tick. I had a cam hold down cracking giving me a tick.

The tick/rattle is coming from inside the motor.

I'm missing something - why do you think you need to do the lock out?

Is there some sort of urgency? Do you know of cases of motors self-destructing because of the "tick"?

I thought I was following this thread but I must've missed something.

I figured if I am hearing the timing chain or cam phaser rattle or both it is probably a good thing to fix so it doesn't cause any damage.

Don't you guys agree?

 

[ChrisOIFdoc]

The tick/rattle is coming from inside the motor.



I figured if I am hearing the timing chain or cam phaser rattle or both it is probably a good thing to fix so it doesn't cause any damage.

Don't you guys agree?

Yes. I gave you advice based on experience.

 

[ChrisOIFdoc]

One more thing about your dad's 2004. It my have been the 2 valve and not the 3 valve like yours.