3.8 ticking sound

[ninjapark]

I have a ticking sound coming from the driver side of my motor when the engine starts and is cool mostly. For first few seconds does not go away with throttle snap. I don't think this is a lifter tick I've been listening to the valve cover with a stethoscope and does not intensify noise at all. Almost sounds like it could be the exhaust manifold and after it heats up a bit it expands enough to seal the crack (if there is one) maybe? Any tips or suggestions on how to diagnose and pinpoint would be most appreciated thanks in advance

 

[MustangLX-5.0]

Could be an exhaust leak ... which is common on the 3.8s due to cracked header pipes or a crack in the catalytic pipes below it (Which I have on the passenger side of my 96). The noise never gets any quieter though, regardless of how hot it is. Do you smell exhaust up front more than usual?

Check all of your spark plugs. If even one of them is halfway loose, you WILL hear TICKING noises coming from that plug hole. Depending on how loose the plug is, it sometimes does quiet down as the engine warms up (plug threads expand enough if it is close to being tight ... but not quite).

 

[tloughrin]

My girlfriends has the same thing. I asked my mechanic about it and he said it sounded like a valve tap but was not sure.

 

[tinyb99v6]

i have the same problem my lifters and rockers checked out ok, is it a manual or auto tranny? mine is a manual i tapped the clutch pedal and it went away. havnt had time to check my throw out and fork but figured out where it coming from by doing that