2001 f150 5.4

JD2ACWD

Member
truck makes a rattling noise when idling and in gear but stops as soon as i start to accelerate.seems like the tensioner,everything seems tight. any ideas
 
sometime a person has to have a visual eye approach on the problem... this is shooting in the dark. and i know exactly what the dealer would tell you... bring it in we will have a look.
 
And while the belt is "off", start the engine and see if anything still rattles.
 
also look close at the AC clutch pulley , the bearings go bad in them and make noise, usually see a lot of rust thrown out around AC and easy to tell with belt released , spin by hand.
 
Does it sound like a "lifter" type noise ? Do a 5.4 cam chain tensioner
search. Hope that's not it.
 
Just curious, how many miles on that engine? I have an 08 and have learned a few problems those have.
 
those 5.4's have cam tensioners and guides. There is actually a special oil filter that has a baffle type check on it that retains oil when not running so that as soon as it starts you have oil pressure sooner than the others that require it to fill before you have pressure. When the tensioners get weak or the chain stretches a little you hear that rattle at idle. eventually the chain will eat up the guides and get into the aluminum cover causing your oil to have that special metallic sparkle. Its not a bad job changing the tensioners and guides, but do yourself a favor and change the chains as well. You will have to loosen the valve covers a little and drop the oil pan a bit so plan on draining the oil first.
There is also a special tool that goes on the crank to keep anything from moving when you go to change the chains. Or go to a trusted mechanic. Dont ask me how i know....
 
Actually every quality oil filter on the market has a check valve on it to keep the oil in the filter - common practice for over 30 years. The 5.4 and 4.6 have a long timing chain that can stretch and the timing chain tensioners are hydraulic.

Step by step video on how to change the timing chain tensioner - its for a 4.6 but the 5.4 is very similar (same?).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLtNZbTwMtc
 

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