I have a 2004 ford F150 4x4 with a 5.4L in it, I t has a loud ticking sound at idle ( sounds like a exhaust leak) It now has that same ticking noise when the engine is at low rpms and is under load, anyone have any suggestions to what it might be, I checked for exhaust leaks and ruled it out.
thnks

 

my 2004 ford f150 has a loud ticking sound on idle, It seems to get worse when the engine in under load, There is no exhaust leaks anywhere, anyone have any suggestions to point me in the right direction

 

the 04 has a problem with the cam phasers. it takes a special tool from ford to change them.