2008 Ford F-150: Exhaust manifold bolts
2008 Ford F-150 · 11th (2004-2008 redesigned, not Heritage) · 5.4 3V Triton, 4.6 3V Triton
What this is
Broken exhaust manifold bolts are a known job on this generation. The tick is easy to confuse with cam phasers. Cost is usually lower than a timing job — still not pocket change, and the shop has to get in there.
How you’d notice
- Tick that people confuse with cam phasers
- Exhaust smell in the cab or at idle
- Tick louder on the passenger side
- Tick on a cold engine that may change when hot
Typical shop cost
| Repair | CAD | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Independent shop, parts and labour, before tax | $800–$2,000 | US shop quotes vary |
As of 2026. Ballpark, not a quote for the vehicle in the ad. CAD figures are Vancouver Island independent-shop ranges. USD is only printed when we’ve entered a US shop range — we don’t invent one.
A hoist, not a driveway glance. You pay the shop. First appointment of the morning so the engine is cold.
Mechanic’s tip: spot it before you buy
Passenger-side tick is a common tell. Do not let a seller call every tick “just the exhaust” without a cold start and a look underneath.
The bigger picture on this listing
This page is the year and model. The report is the vehicle in the ad. We do not publish, for this listing:
- whether these photos hide this job
- whether the asking price already assumes it
- tax on this price
- a named shop in this city — we only print phones we’ve checked
That’s the $34.99 document. Homework, not an inspection.
Questions people actually ask
Can I ignore a manifold tick?
You can drive it. You should not ignore it in the asking price. Repair is real money, and a cracked manifold is a shop job, not a driveway glance.
How do I tell this from cam phasers?
You probably cannot from a video. A cold-start listen at a shop, on a hoist, is the point of the inspection.
More on this 2008 Ford F-150
- A/C evaporator$1,200–$2,000 CAD
- Automatic transmission 4R75E$3,000–$5,500 CAD
- Cam phasers / timing chains$2,500–$5,000 CAD
- Frame / cab mount rustOften not worth repairing CAD
- Front end (ball joints, tie rods)$400–$1,500 CAD
- Fuel pump / module on frame$600–$1,200 CAD
- HVAC blend door$400–$1,200 CAD
- IWE / 4x4 vacuum hubs$150–$1,200 CAD
- Power window regulators$250–$450 CAD
- Rear axle / pinion seal$300–$1,800 CAD
- Two-piece spark plugs$400–$2,000 CAD
The same problem on other cars
No other models in the knowledge base share this job yet. When they do, they land here.