Engine 2008 stang gt lifter or rocker arm

[Majestic_3v]

Good evening guys thanks for accepting me to the group. I had a couple questions about my late Mustang. I’ve been trying to figure it out. I have checked the oil. I’ve checked the compression. I’ve checked the coolant. I open up the valve covers a check in sign I’m having kind of loud tick. Sounds like it’s coming from passenger side. If anyone has any suggestions or anyone had an experience with this. https://photos.app.goo.gl/k6DAdCccDVdzwJR79

 

[Noobz347]

I would eliminate the possibility that the "tick" is not an exhaust leak, [first].

Does the tick diminish at all after the car warms up?

 

[Majestic_3v]

I would eliminate the possibility that the "tick" is not an exhaust leak, [first].

Does the tick diminish at all after the car warms up?

I checked exhaust no leak there I even replaced exhaust gasket to be sure. It’s dosent tick/tap to much when cold but ones it’s warm it taps a little louder. https://photos.app.goo.gl/JxGkoLz9L87M8rF87

 

[Noobz347]

Incoming Checklist!

️ S197 Mustang GT (4.6 3V) Tick Diagnosis Flow​

Step 1 — Baseline Check​

• Warm the engine to full operating temp.
• Listen with the hood open.
• Ask: Is the tick uniform across all cylinders?
  
  • Yes → likely injector tick (Step 2).
  • No (localized) → go to Step 3.

Step 2 — Rule Out Normal Injector Tick​

• Place a mechanic’s stethoscope or long screwdriver on the fuel rail/injectors.
• Injector tick = rapid, consistent, metallic clicking, same rhythm across all.
• If it’s clearly loudest at the injectors and uniform → normal injector tick.
• If not, continue to Step 3.

Step 3 — Isolate Accessories​

• Remove the serpentine belt.
• Run the engine for 10–15 seconds max (no water pump).
• If the tick disappears → it’s an accessory (idler pulley, alternator, A/C clutch).
• If it’s still there → go to Step 4.

Step 4 — Localize Tick to a Bank​

• Use stethoscope on each valve cover (front and rear).
• If one bank is louder → suspect lash adjuster/follower on that side.
• If both banks tick front-of-cover → suspect cam phasers.

Step 5 — Test Cam Phasers​

• With the engine idling hot, unplug both VCT solenoids (one per valve cover).
• If tick changes, quiets, or goes away → cam phasers are the culprit.
• If tick remains unchanged → go to Step 6.

Step 6 — Lash Adjuster or Follower​

• If the noise is sharp, single-cylinder, and persistent hot/cold, suspect a lifter (lash adjuster) or roller follower.
• This requires pulling the valve cover to inspect, but you can narrow it to a bank first with a stethoscope.

Step 7 — Consider Piston Slap (Rare)​

• If the tick is only on cold start and fades when warm, and stethoscope doesn’t show valvetrain/fuel, it could be piston slap or carbon buildup.
• Usually harmless unless severe.

Quick Summary​

• Uniform tick → injector tick (normal).
• Tick disappears with belt off → accessory drive.
• Tick changes with VCT unplugged → cam phasers.
• Tick isolated to one bank → lash adjuster or roller follower.
• Cold start only, fades warm → piston slap/carbon.

 

[Majestic_3v]

Incoming Checklist!

️ S197 Mustang GT (4.6 3V) Tick Diagnosis Flow​

Step 1 — Baseline Check​

• Warm the engine to full operating temp.
• Listen with the hood open.
• Ask: Is the tick uniform across all cylinders?
  • Yes → likely injector tick (Step 2).
  • No (localized) → go to Step 3.

Step 2 — Rule Out Normal Injector Tick​

• Place a mechanic’s stethoscope or long screwdriver on the fuel rail/injectors.
• Injector tick = rapid, consistent, metallic clicking, same rhythm across all.
• If it’s clearly loudest at the injectors and uniform → normal injector tick.
• If not, continue to Step 3.

Step 3 — Isolate Accessories​

• Remove the serpentine belt.
• Run the engine for 10–15 seconds max (no water pump).
• If the tick disappears → it’s an accessory (idler pulley, alternator, A/C clutch).
• If it’s still there → go to Step 4.

Step 4 — Localize Tick to a Bank​

• Use stethoscope on each valve cover (front and rear).
• If one bank is louder → suspect lash adjuster/follower on that side.
• If both banks tick front-of-cover → suspect cam phasers.

Step 5 — Test Cam Phasers​

• With the engine idling hot, unplug both VCT solenoids (one per valve cover).
• If tick changes, quiets, or goes away → cam phasers are the culprit.
• If tick remains unchanged → go to Step 6.

Step 6 — Lash Adjuster or Follower​

• If the noise is sharp, single-cylinder, and persistent hot/cold, suspect a lifter (lash adjuster) or roller follower.
• This requires pulling the valve cover to inspect, but you can narrow it to a bank first with a stethoscope.

Step 7 — Consider Piston Slap (Rare)​

• If the tick is only on cold start and fades when warm, and stethoscope doesn’t show valvetrain/fuel, it could be piston slap or carbon buildup.
• Usually harmless unless severe.

Quick Summary​

• Uniform tick → injector tick (normal).
• Tick disappears with belt off → accessory drive.
• Tick changes with VCT unplugged → cam phasers.
• Tick isolated to one bank → lash adjuster or roller follower.
• Cold start only, fades warm → piston slap/carbon.

Oh my thank you so much. I’m gonna try all these steps first and make sure I think I’ve done a few of them already, but I’m definitely gonna go through this list. I will post the updates back here to see what I found. I posted it on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok and no one has had one response so thank you so much.

 

[horse sence]

The 4.6 has very loud injectors ,they sound like a ticking valve . Harbor freight has a stethoscope cheap ,it will let you listen to any spot you think the noise may be coming from

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

Good evening guys thanks for accepting me to the group. I had a couple questions about my late Mustang. I’ve been trying to figure it out. I have checked the oil. I’ve checked the compression. I’ve checked the coolant. I open up the valve covers a check in sign I’m having kind of loud tick. Sounds like it’s coming from passenger side. If anyone has any suggestions or anyone had an experience with this. https://photos.app.goo.gl/k6DAdCccDVdzwJR79

That cam follower looks bad and it's already started to eat into the cam lobe.

 

[Majestic_3v]

I would eliminate the possibility that the "tick" is not an exhaust leak, [first].

Does the tick diminish at all after the car warms up?

It doesn’t take too much during warm-up. It starts much more after warm-up, or rev. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6wkx1tJuAMtRt3BB6