Where is everyone #5

Won't cause an issue for diag purposes. Do you have a scanner or code reader to clear the codes? If you have scanning abilities checking long and short term fuel trims by bank can help narrow it down..

 

Did you not have a student smoking area with an AM and PM break time?

 

It is not uncommon for a Ford to have a bad coil pack, one for each cylinder, and that not hurt anything else. Do not see how unplugging them one at a time would hurt anything. It will log a code for each one no doubt. Unplugging them with the engine turned off and then starting the engine might prevent a voltage spike.

 

I do have a scanner. No codes but its got a ticking noise just off idle to about 1500ish under acceleration. Sounds almost like suspension bushings creaking. Tried to gently rev it up in neutral to eliminate that possibility. Still does it. Sound seems to be coming from the left side. Don't really notice it being down on power.

I can monitor fuel trim with my scanner. What should I be looking for? One bank was running negative in the LTFT I believe. Gas engines aren't something I'm too familiar with.

5.0L V8 Ford.

 

I was thinking of doing that anyways just because I don't like the idea of having my hands that close to the fuel rail. Plus I'm not very tall either so I'd have to climb up on my fender to reach the rear one lol.

Good point about the voltage spikes though.

 

Fords are known to have loud injectors and loud cam phasers.

Unplugging either will cause a noticable difference so you can easily narrow it down with that method, if its got a miss the computer will know it. You'll throw a code for injector or coil open/short when you unplug them.

 

Some of those Fords were bad to eat a cam lobe. Anything late model is overhead cam and the chain set up is not mechanic friendly.
Maybe look at Ford Truck Enthusiast.
You can get by without the tool to hold the cam. Take the cover off and look before you leap. Cover can go back on and ride for a while.

 

I'm familiar with the typical cam phaser/injector noise with this engine. It just started making this new noise this afternoon. Its like a random rattle/knock that resembles a poly suspension bushing creaking. Extremely faint at idle. Have to have my head next to the engine to hear it. Upon accelerating normally with the window down you can hear it randomly pop until it hits around 1500 then I can't hear it.

 

Chain stretch isn't usually an issue on the 5.0 like it is on the ecoboost. Does it sound like an intake backfire pop?

90% of the time any abnormality will get picked up by the ecm, so timing chain issues would throw a code for out of time. I've not heard of it on the 5.0 but a loose or warped exhaust manifold could cause the odd ticking sound as well