I have a 2004 ford f150 making a tapping noies can it be the cam phasers going bad

2 things. The most simple is an air leak in the intake. The engine is getting the same fuel as always, but the additional air is giving you a higher air/fuel ratio. Start the engine, use a pump spray water bottle and mist the intake manifold and any vacuum lines. A change in rpm will reveal a leak. You have a lean knock.

Next, more intense. Look up "Cam Phasers" The knock is a typical clue for this problem. But since the water test above does not cost you anything to try, I mentioned it. I bet the knock disappears around 2000rpm.

What is happening inside your engine is one side is out of time or synch with the other. This is because each "Cam Phaser" sets timing separately for each bank. After 2000rpm the parts are fully extended and the noise disappears.

There are just 2 ways to fix this. Clean the "Cam Phaser" with a solvent that degunks the block or change the Phaser and assume that the bad bank is the one showing lean.

The replacement can be done with a Cheater method or complete frontal disassembly of the engine. A specialty tool is needed for the cheater method(buy, beg, borrow) and one side will probably cost $800. A frontal job, both Phasers is easily $2400.

You might try Risolone, or go to Ford for a Factory chemical. There are also 15 minute cleaners. Replacing oil, filter, and chemical cleaner will be in the $50 range. Might save $800 repair.

Have your engine checked at a Dealer for "Cam Phasers". There is a recall for these motors and an extended Warranty.

In a summary, each side of the motor has a Cam phaser. Its job is too regulate Cam timing. When one side does not set the Cams to match, you get stalling.

You need to use a Ford brand oil filter and Ford spec oil to minimize the problem. I said minimize, not prevent this problem. There are other symptoms like a Diesel sound that fades above 2000RPM.

The repairs can be anywhere from $1400 to $2400 to fix, so it is in your best interest to have the truck checked at a Dealer to prevent paying later for something you could get for free.

The other Expert could be correct about a minor repair, but I am letting you know that this also could be the problem.

it sounds like a broken exhaust manifold stud. But cam phasers can be noisy.

there is also a small valve body you are supposed to replace when replaceing the phasers... also there is a ssm for replacing the valve lash adjusters. alot of time the small engine tick you hear can be a cracked exhaust manifold too so checking those really close is heavily advised because the cracks are really hard to see sometimes. i have seen broken push rods on these engines and they can be a pain to pinpoint where the noise is comming from. hope this helps

The clicking noise could be the cam phasers, there was a TSB on repalcing them.

The popping noise from the intake, did you have the recall done ? This is recall 08S05 - Brake Booster vacuum hose replacement.

Check for a Vacuum leak, Then go to Autozone or Oreillys for a free scan. You did not mention any other noises, but if you have something like a light "tap" similar to a Diesel, see if that noise goes away above 2000RPM. The engines with the DOHC emblem have a problem with "Cam Phasers" and Ford has an extended Warranty for that defect. 7 years plus limited miles, at least 75,000 to 85,000.

The popping through the Intake sounds like early valve timing. The Phasers are used to synchronize the valves on each cylinder bank. One bank may be "out of time". The repairs are expensive, but some shops have found shortcuts for replacement. The 2 Phasers alone total $500.

I hope your troubles are small. With the DOHC motors it is important to keep the oil clean and consider using a Detergent additive to protect the Phasers.

Try a TPS, Throttle position sensor. Its job is to send a signal to the vehicles computer to advance timing and fuel for the throttle position.

If you have the Double Overhead Cam engine DOHC V-8, there is a problem with the engine. A part called a "Cam Phaser" now has an extended Warranty. The Phasers are a variable valve timing device. The engine will make a Tapping noise until 2000RPM and then the noise will go away.

In any case, go to Autozone or Oreillys for a FREE scan of your engine. This scan can also identify Transmission problems too.

If it has a problem bad enough to stall, it should record something on the computer. Autozone or Oreillys will scan for free. You should have a circuit or sensor to speed up the idle or at least turn on a cooling fan to bring down the engine temperature.

Some of the DOHC engines use a part called a "Cam Phaser" to adjust the variable cam timing. You may want to have the Dealer run your VIN for a Recall. Ford was extending the Years and Mileage coverage and it can be a $2400 repair. If you hear a "tapping" noise that disappears after 2000RPM, thats another symptom.

Tell them you heard about a recall for the CAM PHASERS. When the noise is present and you rev the engine to 2000RPM the noise will fade away. This verifys the CAM PHASERS are acting up.

Usually the sound progresses to the DIESEL level. Further use can damage the engine. There is a service bulletin for this problem. Yours must be an early 2009, last I heard the problem was for 2004-2008 models with dual cams.

Having just making a repair at Ford for the same sound. I have a 04 Lariat with a 5.4 3 valve, and the repair started at a cam phaser on the passenger side, at a cost of $1200.00 t0 $1500.00. Still having some lifter noise we then aggreed for a change out ot the driver side cam phaser, and found in addition to both cam phaser change out the cam and lifters on the driver bank had to be changed as the cam lobes had worn down. After the repair of approx $3k we ended up with another $600.00 for a bad injector in the 8 cylinder and a wire harness defect for the 6 cylinder, interestingly these were on the driver side. lots of luck to you it can be somwhat expensive once you sign on for the repair