Loud diesel sound on gas engine

Tiny
CBFREEMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 FORD F-150
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 67,865 MILES
I'm hoping someone can help me out here. I've been reading through all sorts of forums and I'm not sure if this is the same as what everybody is describing. I have the truck listed above Super Crew with a 5.4 liter 3 valve engine. The truck has 68,000 miles on it and it's still under extended warranty from Ford.

So here's the situation. For about the past 10,000 to 15,000 miles or two years. I've had this noise and is getting progressively worse. When the air conditioning is on it is much much worse. It basically sounds like a diesel firing up it's driving me crazy. Along with that I'm getting a smell of oil burning so I cannot run my air conditioning with the fresh air vent, only on recirculate. They have been several instances also where I've had loss of power when I go to push down on the throttle to the point I almost got in an accident before. The engine seems excessively hot but when I hook up the OBD2 reader it is showing the coolant temperature at 196 -205 degrees. I live in Las Vegas.

Here is a video I shot tonight after doing about 35 minutes of driving around my neighborhood. Outside air was 89 degrees that evening.

https://youtu.be/El0qVKXqtKY.

The plugs were changed at 50,000 miles. All fluids, filters, major services were done at 55,000 miles. First 7 years oil changes we're done every 5,000 miles by Ford using full synthetic. After that I did it or had it done every 5,000 still with full synthetic.
Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 8:50 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
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Hello, I'm Danny.

Tried your link and didn't work. Can you upload the video here so we can hear the problem?Hope to hear back and thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 9:01 PM
Tiny
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Unfortunately the video file size is too large and the website will not allow me to upload it.

Here is a link to my YouTube account which lists the one video:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC90AEhrs-BaQ7c4NG9_3lzA
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
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Hello again.

That is bizarre! A gas truck that wants to be a diesel. So you went to Ford and they said this is normal? From your video clip it does sound valve train related. You say it's still under warranty and they're not willing to fix?

Danny-
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 10:23 PM
Tiny
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I went to two different Ford dealerships here in Las Vegas. The first one was trying to tell me that it was carbon build-up and it was normal. The second dealership again play with carbon build-up and or bad fuel that is not talk to you. They both stated that it is spark knock and the manual even says that an occasional spark knock is normal. I contacted Ford corporate and they are siding with the dealership at this point. They are going back again, or so they say, to talk to the dealership one last time. This is the second case I have opened with Ford. The last time I was at the dealership they made sure to put the canned response ". Is a characteristic of three valve designs. No concerns found with the drivability of the vehicle. No DTCs present.".
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 10:30 PM
Tiny
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To be clear, in that video the vehicle is in drive with the emergency brake set. I was told by another technician who used to work for Ford that his how they test to see if there is some type of cam phaser, VCT solenoid or timing system problem. He said the sound would present itself when not in park at idle. One of the technical service bulletins I read indicates that same process but says to bring the RPMs up to 1500.
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 10:33 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
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Hello again.

Is this the Flex or non Flex fuel 5.4L? I'm going to look up some TSB's.

Danny-
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 10:52 PM
Tiny
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Also, the last service manager said there is no fix for my problem. When I asked if it is due only to carbon build up couldn't the carbon be removed? I stated the heads could be rebuilt and pistons replaced. That would technically remove all carbon from the combustion chamber correcting any compression issues, hot spots leading to pre detonation and correct spark ignition. He told me I didn't know what I was talking about. I've built/rebuilt several older engines and 2 strokes. I'm pretty sure the basic principles are the same even with a 3v ECU engine unless there is a different problem they are running/hiding from.
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 10:53 PM
Tiny
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5.4 3v 87 Octane. Non-Flex. After the one dealer a year ago I tried several tanks of both 89 and 91 fuel. No change.
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 10:54 PM
Tiny
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The TSB I found were 14-0114 and I believe it's predecessor 12-7-10. I had also asked the service manager if they pull the plug on any of the cylinders to check for any kind of fouling or carbon buildup oh, he indicated now. I also asked if he follows any of the procedures in the mentioned technical service bulletins and he had no response.

BTW, thank you for taking the time on this. I am at my wit's end I cannot believe how bad for it is treating me at this point. This truck has been the only new vehicle I have ever purchased and I have done my very best to take care of it. It's the 60th anniversary super Crew that was done in limited numbers for 2008. Mine is #256. Because of this I take exceptional care of the vehicle.
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 11:04 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
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Hello again.

I've found this Ford TSB dated 6/3/2014 I've attached three pictures below describing the condition. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 11:05 PM
Tiny
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Yes, that is the same one that I had found. They seem to be avoiding that TSB for some reason. They will not confirm or deny if they've actually ran the testing for it.
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 11:07 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
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Hello again.

Sounds like they didn't. The majority of auto techs that work at dealerships are paid commission. Recall/warranty work is paid less than half of a normal ticket. Techs given recall/warranty either use short cuts to save time or avoid it altogether. Your issue is pretty involved (10 hours). So it sounds like they are just passing the buck and shining you on.

Danny-
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 11:16 PM
Tiny
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That was my thoughts but wasn't sure how it works. They still haven't corrected an issue with my vent mix door they replaced. On mix (floor/vent) the floor vents are about 90/10. Basically no air one the drivers side floor. Last visit it was on the service ticket to check but not addressed. Guess the techs there are lazy and the big bosses know it and try to cover for them.
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 11:28 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
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Yes, It makes me mad when this crap happens because it gives us legit techs a bad rap. This September marks my 30 years as a certified tech (started really young) and I've always stayed away from a commission job for that reason. Only hourly for me. Also, don't even get me started when idiot techs/service writers see a single women come through the doors. Grrr ! As far as your situation it is most definitely in the VCT (variable cam timing) system.I just think whatever Ford dealer you went to gave you a raw deal. Hope this helps and again thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 11:43 PM

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