I own a 1999Ford Expidition 5.4 L engine, and when i start it up and drive wile the engin is cold it make a ticking sound in the left hand section of the motor, looking at it from the front, and i think it is a sticky valvebut im not sure any help is very appreciated.

 

Does the Ticking noise go away when warmed up? If so look at the Exhaust manifold bolts, they rust out and break, causing a leak that goes away after warming up. You can look through the inner fender well to inspect. If not,I know Ford had Wrist pin Noise on a cold engine when starting out.

 

i had the exact same problem, see my post 5.4l to 4.6l swap

 

Does the noise get louder with an increase in RPMs. If so it could be a main or rod bearing. That is what happened to me and over time it just got worse until it locked up one day.

 

Try this bro because I had a ticking noise coming from the same place it seem's and I bought the expedition from my brother and he was in it on day when it was making the ticking noise and he reached up under the passenger floor board (under the glove compartment) and flipped a switch and I haven't heard the noise since. The truck needs so much work done I didnt bother to look in to that problem but it has a body lift and air bags under the chasis so I figured it was for the air bags but just look for a switch under the glove compartment by the inside of the fender and this might help you out. P.S. Do you know how to disconect the fuel lines from the furl filter, i cant figure it out,YET.

 

Try changing the oil filter the a Ford OEM filter. I bet the noise goes away.

 

joleo5757- "Does the Ticking noise go away when warmed up? If so look at the Exhaust manifold bolts, they rust out and break, causing a leak that goes away after warming up. You can look through the inner fender well to inspect. If not,I know Ford had Wrist pin Noise on a cold engine when starting out."
if this is the case the bolts can be a real pita because they will have to be removed and replaced. i took my expedition to a local exhaust repair shop and they used a "hush studfix". they fixed it within a matter of minutes and it turned out to be a very easy job that i could have done myself. apparently the part is for sale online.
http://the-hush.com/
definitely check it out.