• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

'04 GT w/ Valve Clatter?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Yellow2004GT
  • Start date Start date Oct 13, 2005
Y

Yellow2004GT

New Member
Oct 11, 2005
5
0
0
Oct 13, 2005
#1
  • Oct 13, 2005
  • #1
Here's the deal. If I'm at low RPMs (~1,100) and I go from barely open throttle to nearly WOT, I hear a pretty loud rattle. I let someone else hear it and he said that it's probably "valve clatter" and that I should run higher octane. Now, I've also heard that these cars come from the factory tuned for 87 octane and that running higher octane can hurt performance. Anyone have any experience with this? It's still under warranty, so I can take it in to the dealership and let them mess with it, but I'd like to hear what y'all think first. My only mods so far are weld-in Flowmasters, CAI, and a Tri-Ax, so I know it's probably not related to them. I appreciate your help. Thanks.
 

1fast03pony

Member
Jul 1, 2003
749
0
17
New york
Oct 13, 2005
#2
  • Oct 13, 2005
  • #2
Its injector noise- I have the same noise and im sure every other 99+ Gt on this board has some type of click clatter under 1000 rpms under throttle.
 

40th GT

New Member
Apr 7, 2004
916
0
0
Lawrenceville, GA
Oct 13, 2005
#3
  • Oct 13, 2005
  • #3
No, you don't run higher octane because you heard valve clatter. Higher octane is used only when you hear spark knock/pre-ignition.

I hope you're using the oil weight that the manual specifies. (5w-20) If you are, this might just be the loud fuel injectors that our engines have.

EDIT: Ah, you beat me to it.
I'll add that this "clatter" sounds sort of like an air leak.
 

1fast03pony

Member
Jul 1, 2003
749
0
17
New york
Oct 13, 2005
#4
  • Oct 13, 2005
  • #4
The bigger question would be do you hear this during normal idle? if so it could be a valve guide and there is a TSB out for Ford Mechanics to check for defective valve guides
 
Y

Yellow2004GT

New Member
Oct 11, 2005
5
0
0
Oct 13, 2005
#5
  • Oct 13, 2005
  • #5
No, I don't hear it during idle or anytime I'm over 1,300 RPM. It just recently started about 500 miles ago. I'm using the 5w20 stated on the oil filler cap. It's a pretty loud rattle, and it only happens when in gear. Has anyone heard whether or not Ford will do anything about this, assuming that they can? Someone mentioned an air leak. Can you be more specific, please? Thanks y'all. I appreciate the help.
 
S

stang96blkgt

New Member
Nov 19, 2003
53
0
0
Oct 13, 2005
#6
  • Oct 13, 2005
  • #6
Yellow2004GT said:
Here's the deal. If I'm at low RPMs (~1,100) and I go from barely open throttle to nearly WOT, I hear a pretty loud rattle. I let someone else hear it and he said that it's probably "valve clatter" and that I should run higher octane. Now, I've also heard that these cars come from the factory tuned for 87 octane and that running higher octane can hurt performance. Anyone have any experience with this? It's still under warranty, so I can take it in to the dealership and let them mess with it, but I'd like to hear what y'all think first. My only mods so far are weld-in Flowmasters, CAI, and a Tri-Ax, so I know it's probably not related to them. I appreciate your help. Thanks.
Click to expand...

93 octane will not hurt performance
 

sgarlic

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2001
3,085
1
56
Oct 14, 2005
#7
  • Oct 14, 2005
  • #7
Take it in.
 
Y

Yellow2004GT

New Member
Oct 11, 2005
5
0
0
Oct 17, 2005
#8
  • Oct 17, 2005
  • #8
Well, I guess it was detonation. I ran Premium on the way home from Austin to Houston and it was immediately better. I had never heard detonation before and just assumed it would be louder. Any-who, it's better now. Thanks for all of the help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
1998 Mustang Gt Rattling sound, cannot locate. Video included
  • studerman1
  • Mar 31, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
219
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 1, 2026
studerman1
S
B
'03 GT Fuel Pump/Pressure/Delivery Issue
  • Brodach
  • Oct 21, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
880
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 31, 2025
gkomo
Progress Thread Progress Thread- From6to8's 95 GT/Saleen Supercharged 331 install
  • from6to8
  • Mar 22, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
880
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 6, 2026
from6to8
A
95 Gt intermittent backfire
  • A_A_Ron
  • May 26, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
421
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 26, 2025
A_A_Ron
A
Drivetrain 83’ Glx convertible C5 Trans help!
  • JacksonJared2113
  • Dec 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
380
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 26, 2025
JacksonJared2113
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?