im a newbie but understand trucks pretty well, my question is, when my truck idles, it makes a clunk clunk clunk noise. it only does it when im idleing, when i rev it or drive it its fine it only does it when it idles, is this normal or is it a piston problem?

i also have to take my truck into the shope to get the timeing problem fixed, is this what is causing the clunk clunk clunk sound when idleing?
Thanks!

 

Really need more information. How many miles? Yr? Piston slap is very uncommon unless you have severely overheated the engine causing the piston skirts to colapse.

 

05 kingranch supercrew 500 miles

 

Do a search on cam phaser knock bofer and a bunch of stuff will come up.

 

I know the PS since I have had 4 F-150's since 97. It usually only appears at first start for 20 seconds or so until the oil makes it way through the engine. Ford pretty much fixed it since 01.

Mine sounds like a diesel and it is not a PS, it is the valves for the injectors clicking. Some are louder than others. Enjoy your truck.

 

You normally get piston slap with a cold start and then it stops. This is a common problem with the 99+ Chevy V8s and GM says it's "normal".

 

so you dont think it will be the timing issue at all? i still have to take it into the dealer to get the timing fixed on it, something about a recall i guess.

 

There's a handful of 5.4 3Vs running around that may have scuffed pistons or broken piston skirts, causing a noise, but that'll usually make the engine run rough as well.

 

huh, engine runs smooth as butter, its just when i iddle, maybe its just a belt, i will take it in this weekend and see what they say, i have to have some other stuff done as well.