Ticking in '07 w/48k miles

[LiverpoolFC]

Since I got the SSV back in October I have not driven it too much due to me gutting the interior and redoing it for more mere human comfort. But I knew since I got it that there was that ticking noise in the engine. This past week I drove it for some time, mostly to enable the monitors for smog. On Friday night I poured some Seafoam in the crankcase then I took out the air intake and sprayed an entire can of Seafoam through the throttle body, which was pretty clean. Let it hot soak. No white smoke during the spraying, no white smoke after the soak and start. Ticking noise remained. During the spraying the wrench appeared and a check engine light with a code. Did't pay much mind to it, cleared it and forgot about it. Drove the car on Sat for a while, enabled all monitors again, changed oil on Sun with 5w20 as per Ford's recommendations and smogged it. All is well... but the ticking is still there. I've been reading this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/772197-to-those-of-you-with-ticking-5-4l-motors.html and it seems there may be multiple fixes and possibilities. I am planning to change the oil again with 10w40 and see what happens. Anyone tried Lucas? Any other suggestions/ideas?

 

[JExpedition07]

I would not use 10-40 in that you’ll stave your top end. Modular engines have always ticked, brand new or 300,000 miles. Is it an unusual tick or a Normal tick your overreacting to? These motors had a tick from the factory as do any modern engines with variable cam timing.

 

[LiverpoolFC]

I'll take a video and post it later on today. As a Ford TBS I read on the subject noted, it is more noticeable in a confined area such as a drive through, or while driving with windows down next to a barrier or something that can reflect sound. Can't hear it too much if I'm in a wide open road or while idling from inside the car. Can hear it a little from outside the car.

On the oil matter, it seems that one of the reasons for this is that the top end isn't getting enough oil to begin with. A few fingers were pointed to the oil pump and suggested a Melling oil pump as a possible remedy.

 

[LiverpoolFC]

Video of ticking.
As I've read in other places, it seems this is the standard. Noise comes form driver side towards the back of the engine.

 

[mbtech2003]

Replace both phasers and bolts. That’s what mine sounded like. (Hard to tell from video). http://www.freedomracing.com/ford-parts.html
Has oem parts cheep. Count the valve cover bolts to get the right gasket. They sell the tools for it too. If you want to get into it, replace the chain tensioners at the same time. They are prone to leak. And will save the cost of doing the chains and guides.

 

[joey13olive]

I have a 2008 Expedition EL which I bought used in 2012 with 53,000. I started to notice hee cam phazer noise around 90,000 miles and currenly have 155,000. Other than the noise I do not seem to have issues. I noticed a slight hesitation at times when first accelerating but do not know if related. Based on research I decided against replacing and will drive til it dies.

 

[JExpedition07]

Hold your horses do NOT replace your phasers! First pull your valve covers and replace your VCT solonoids. It is a phaser tick but no experienced mechanic would ever throw phasers at it without trying the solonoids first. You still can if you want to they aren’t too pricey if YOU do it. At 48,000 miles I seriously doubt your cam phasers are bad and it’s more likely your VCT solonoids are clogged shut with sludge. That top end tick with the little “click click click click” is normal and is the one i was referring to, every 5.4 I’ve heard has it from new. The lower noise you can hear further away when you back out is not normal and is caused by a phased tick.

 

[jac21]

I had that same Noise when I got my 2007 used expy, do yourself a favor and replace the spark plugs, the ones towards the rear have a tendency to get loose and you get that noise,it sounds like the phasers but it's not. i went with the champions that don't break when you remove them but that's a personal preference, my noise is gone and shes running fine since.