Noisy Ford 5.4

[Taildragger]

I have a 'noisy' Ford 5.4. Well,,, kinda noisy. Tried Pennzoil Ultra 5W30 and no cam phaser noise. Switched to a major brand 5W30 conventional and it was immediately noisy again. Just for giggles I poured Pennzoil Conventional 10w40 at the next change and guess what? Quiet again. I live in a warm climate (SW Florida) so I'm not worried about cold starts. Specs call for 5W20, is the 10W40 too viscous? Is Pennzoil just 'quiet'?

 

[gregk24]

Dont use 10w40 if it calls for 5w20...Stick with 5w20! Next OCI use either Pennzoil Conventional 5w20 or Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 and see how that goes. Just because its "noisy" doesn't necessarily mean that something bad is going on. And yes Pennzoil oils have been well regarded for being "quiet". The most viscous oil I would go with would be a 5w30, and for that I would use Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 because its one of the thinnest 5w30's on the market.

 

[901Memphis]

Realistically the 5.4 will run on anything, so if your 10w40 makes you happy why not.

 

[Klutch9]

IIRC, there was a TSB from Ford regarding the cam phasing noise on the 5.4s. The solution? 10w40 oil. Search the internet, you will find it.

 

[salv]

If running a 5w30 cut your noise, didn't change fuel economy, and offered proper drivability, then stick with it.
Go with the oil that has the highest film strength while allowing acceptable fuel economy. In a warm climate that could even be a 10w40.

 

[901Memphis]

Might as well give Mobil 1 0w40 a shot while your at it.

 

[tomcat27]

I, too, would use 5w30 pp

 

[QuietPortage]

That 10w-40 won't hurt a thing. Go for it!

Rotella T Triple 15w40 or T6 5w-40 are fine choices too.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: Klutch9
IIRC, there was a TSB from Ford regarding the cam phasing noise on the 5.4s. The solution? 10w40 oil. Search the internet, you will find it.


^^yep

 

[panthermike]

+2 on the Ford TSB, totally fine to use 40 weight in the 5.4. I would personally use a 0/5w40 or a thick 30 weight rather than 10w40. If the Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 quieted it down, that's a good choice to.

 

[crazyoildude]

you said it calls for 5w20 so that is what i would use..if it is high mileage and you are in florida 5w30 would be the thickest i would use

 

[901Memphis]

Rotella T6 or Mobil 1 0w40 are the top two recommendations for gas 40 weights.

 

[justinh384]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
Dont use 10w40 if it calls for 5w20...Stick with 5w20!
Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
you said it calls for 5w20 so that is what i would use.

I personally don't think that 10w40 would do any harm. Go ahead and run it if it solves the noise problem. I have heard many Ford 5.4s that are "ticking". The Ford 5.4 can probably run on about anything.

 

[BISCUT]

These 5.4's were never meant to be quiet in the first place. Mine has been great, no Cam Phaser issue for me to date. I changed the VCT Solenoids on each bank. I've only used 5-20 but I'm in a much colder climate. Ford's handling of the cam phaser issue negates the TSB mentioned but that's just my opinion. I'd go to 5-30 but unless I'm putting a big ol band-aid on an an issue 40wt might be a little thick.

A lot of people have gotten crazy paranoid thinking their 5.4 has bad cam phasers due to noise.

I can tell you even the fuel injectors are loud on the 5.4's.

 

[demarpaint]

Yes 10W40 was Ford's fix. Having said that if Pennzoil Ultra 5W30 is keeping it quiet, I'd stick with it.

 

[UNC151]

Originally Posted By: BISCUT
I can tell you even the fuel injectors are loud on the 5.4's.

+1 - and sometimes it is hard to differentiate between the various noises.

 

[Cujet]

My 09 5.4L was spec'd for 5w-20. UOA and noise were not all that great on Motorcraft 5W-20 or Mobil 1 5W-20.

A switch to standard Mobil 1, 10w30 has made all the difference. UOA results are now superb, extended drain intervals are possible based on UOA and the engine is totally quiet.

This parallels my previous truck (gave to my brother) , a 4.6L, that simply had far better UOA results on Mobil 1, 10w30. At nearly 300,000 miles now (still running perfectly BTW) , I guess the use of Mobil 1 10w30 was a complete success. I can't wait to borescope the cylinders again. I'll bet they are perfect, just like at 225,000 miles!

So, you know my suggestion! BTW, I'm in South Florida.

 

[UNC151]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
My 09 5.4L was spec'd for 5w-20. UOA and noise were not all that great on Motorcraft 5W-20 or Mobil 1 5W-20.

My best (and longest) UOA on my 2010 5.4L was on Mobil 1 0W-20; it just goes to show that engines (even those in the same family) all have differences and do not always react to oils in the same way.

 

[Taildragger]

I can hear the injectors now.

 

[tig1]

A friend has that engine in his Ford, and had to have the cam phaser replaced on the warranty for excess noise. No oil will stop the noise.