Good day everyone... I have a few issues that I would like to address with owners of Ford Expeditions. I have a 1997 Expedition XLT 5.4. For about a year, when I start my truck in any type of weather, cold or hot, I get a ticking from the motor. Now, this isn't like a ticking that you have to strain to hear; it can be heard in winter, through closed doors and windows while sitting on the couch in the living room. When it ticks, it starts out quite subtly and grows much louder, than stops abruptly, then does it again, while each duration of ticking getting shorter in time until it stops. This is not normal folks! I have been to the Ford dealer over the past year for other issues and have always included this as a serious concern and at first, they never heard it. I called Ford and told them the problem and was informed that it was normal at 1100 RPMs and while idle. I told the rep that it continues as I drive and she said it doesn't and it would be normal at idle. Well, I videotaped the engine one day and took it to the dealer. There were four service guys looking at the tape and did not know what the noise was from. When I picked the vehicle up I was told that it was low on oil; this was last summer. It didn't tick for about a month after that, but come Sept of 2002, it started again. I have been back to the dealer for other things and have mentioned the ticking and even took a pile of documents from alldata.com. One print out in particular referenced the Timing Chain Tensioner, which is what I was told would more than likely be the problem from an ex-Ford Master Mechanic Service Manager. When I called for the status of my truck, the service manager at Bob Davidson Ford in Towson, Maryland told me that he just rec'd a notice, that day, from Ford regarding that motor and how it will tick until it warms up. Alrighty then, so it has to warm up...the answer right there all this time and it ticks at each start-up after sitting for more than 30 minutes. Two weeks ago I was waxing my truck and started it up. It was 64 degrees on a beautiful and sunny Sunday. I placed the video camera on the driver's side, front tire and hit record. The ticking was there like clock work and it lasted for 20 minutes. I videotaped the temp gauge inside to show that it warmed up and yet was still ticking. How long does it take to warm up, technically? I have no idea. I called Ford again and told a woman on the phone my issue, which she seemed quite clues about, and she thanked me for my input and gave me the number for another dealer to go to, Len Stoler Ford in Owings Mills, Maryland. All I want is to have the problem corrected, that's all I want, but that seems impossible. I will be taking my truck to Len Stoler Ford this Friday, so they can tell me what is wrong with it, before my warranty expires in 800 miles. Of course, if I wait until my warranty expires, I bet they find the problem and fix it pretty damn fast, and charge me 1500.00. The other issue that I have is when I turn the wheel and drive slowly, I get a loud moaning out of the rear end, of course, they didn't hear that either. Dealers are like small children, you have to hold their hand for everything. So, would I recommend a Ford Expedition to anyone?? Sorry to say, but no. If I do not get this fixed the way it should be, it's traded in for a Land Rover. The ironic thing is that I just found out that Ford has a part in or all of Land Rover.. I just cannot win, think I'm going to get a horse. I hope everyone has a great day. Safe driving.

They are Jerking your chain . Im on my 3rd motor . 5.4 had silent recall. Piston Slop is what they call it . I can t see a dealer weazeling there way out of doing it but Ford lol Good luck .I had the same problem with my V-10 Dually replaced the motor also twice . I had the truck 3 months paid over $38,000 for it and on th elemon law they offered me $22,000 on a buy back the truck had less than 800 miles on it . Needless to say my lawyer is busy . So early morning diesleling is PISTON SLOP .

I CAN SAY, AS WELL AS SPEAK FOR A LOT OF OTHERS BY SAYING THAT ALL OF THEM ARE NOT THAT BAD. THE 97'S AND 98'S SEEM TO HAVE HAD A FEW PROBLEMS. MY 99 EB 5.4 IS VIRTUALLY FLAWLESS AT 80,000 MILES. I WOULD SUGGEST TRYING A NEWER MODEL AND CHECK THE ATTENTION PAID TO DETAIL BY PREVIOUS OWNER. HOPE SOMETHING WORKS OUT FOR THE BEST.

Please be advised Both my Expo and F350 Dually are both 99's

Is this ticking sound a borderline "knocking" sound??? I have a 99 XLT with 65K miles and I think I'm having the same problem. Most noticeable in cold weather in the morning, but not limited to warmer weather, just not as consistent as when cold. And, are you finding this is indeed a recall situation???