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

98 Mustang GT Ticking/Clatter noise at Low RPM

  • Thread starter Thread starter Iceman1987
  • Start date Start date Jan 17, 2012
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

Iceman1987

New Member
Jan 17, 2012
16
0
1
Jan 17, 2012
#1
  • Jan 17, 2012
  • #1
Im about done with this car. Noticed ticking noise in engine around 1500- 2500 rpms while accelerating, deceleration and at idle. Took to a shop said it was rod bearings. Then other place said possible bad lifter. Car runs fine just that darn noise is getting worse. Took valve cover off on drivers side, turn car on and no noise. Put new lifters in put cover back on with new gasket. Car make noise still. Im so pissed. People tellin me different things, bad rod bearings, well it would sound different and it tick would come from the bottom. Changed oil no metal shavings that i could see. Again acceleration deceleration and reving it in neutral makes noise. I dont know what to do. Any suggestions?
 

5.0Droptop

...all those nights we shared, and you're a dude??
Special Agent Mukity-Muck Whats in Charge Round Here
May 15, 2002
1,785
1,130
233
Indiana
Jan 17, 2012
#2
  • Jan 17, 2012
  • #2
I have a rattle noise. My ac compressor locked up and when it did it damaged the clutch pulley. Now it makes a intermittant knocking sound. I thought I had a rod knocking at first then I found it.

Try removing your belt and start it up see if the sound disappears.
 
Reactions: 02gtwife

Iceman1987

New Member
Jan 17, 2012
16
0
1
Jan 17, 2012
#3
  • Jan 17, 2012
  • #3
Well its really noticable trough low rpms then goes away above 4000 rpms. Maybe a exhaust leak? I really cant stand this sounds. I got its loudest is at 2500 rpms. It sounds like a penny stuck in a vaccum cleaner...
 

5.0Droptop

...all those nights we shared, and you're a dude??
Special Agent Mukity-Muck Whats in Charge Round Here
May 15, 2002
1,785
1,130
233
Indiana
Jan 17, 2012
#4
  • Jan 17, 2012
  • #4
Not sure. Id take the belt off and see if it goes away, If not then you know its not a belt driven part.
 
Reactions: 02gtwife

Iceman1987

New Member
Jan 17, 2012
16
0
1
Jan 17, 2012
#5
  • Jan 17, 2012
  • #5
Gotcha. But the sound def comes from drivers side near valve cover ;/
 

Iceman1987

New Member
Jan 17, 2012
16
0
1
Jan 17, 2012
#6
  • Jan 17, 2012
  • #6
Gunna look under car tomorrow and see whats up
 

5.0Droptop

...all those nights we shared, and you're a dude??
Special Agent Mukity-Muck Whats in Charge Round Here
May 15, 2002
1,785
1,130
233
Indiana
Jan 17, 2012
#7
  • Jan 17, 2012
  • #7
Ok. Is it running ok? Missing out or anything?
 
Reactions: 02gtwife

5.0Droptop

...all those nights we shared, and you're a dude??
Special Agent Mukity-Muck Whats in Charge Round Here
May 15, 2002
1,785
1,130
233
Indiana
Jan 17, 2012
#8
  • Jan 17, 2012
  • #8
Maybe a timing chain tensioner loose?
 
Reactions: 02gtwife

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
9,392
3,539
233
Jan 17, 2012
#9
  • Jan 17, 2012
  • #9
This is a common 4v issue. The dreaded "head tick". I dont have a ton of 2V experience but looking at friends cars it appears Ford didnt put a cooling return on the back of the heads to crossover. The water in the #7&#8 combustion chambers and cylinders gets hot and valve guides wear out. I am sure there is a way to have a machine shop repair the head but everyone I know thats had the issue just replaced the head.



EDIT: read some more and the "pennys in vac" line isnt what the head tick sounds like. That sound description indicates spun bearings.
Now there is another thing that makes that sound. Its bad rails or tensioners on the timing chain. You can check that by removing the acc bolted to the timing cover and the crank pulley and inspect it.
I have had a similar sound and this is what I found:


 

Attachments

  • IMGP1675.webp
    43.1 KB · Views: 897

trombonedemon

Well-Known Member
Jun 25, 2009
1,962
39
59
U.S.A, U.S.A., U.S.A.!
Jan 18, 2012
#10
  • Jan 18, 2012
  • #10
Or the dreaded squeal coming from inside the engine either indicates a bad rod-bearing or water-pump. Similar to when you had your beloved Land Scarab, I think it was called; Super-Charged was a sick idea for that sleeper looking car.

How many miles on the Mod Motor? Might time for a rebuild, short of changing the timing tensioners, if that is the ticking noise. You could probaly do the rebuild, short of the machining.
 

trinity_gt

10 Year Member
Jan 31, 2003
3,125
81
99
Canada
Jan 18, 2012
#11
  • Jan 18, 2012
  • #11
Google vids for spun rod bearings. They have a very specific characteristic and you'll be able to tell if that's what you've got.

IMO, "pennies in a can" doesn't sound like a rod bearing. I tend to agree with those above suggesting timing belt tensioner/arms/guides problem(s).

Can you post a decent quality vid of the sound?
 

trombonedemon

Well-Known Member
Jun 25, 2009
1,962
39
59
U.S.A, U.S.A., U.S.A.!
Jan 18, 2012
#12
  • Jan 18, 2012
  • #12
trinity_gt said:
Google vids for spun rod bearings. They have a very specific characteristic and you'll be able to tell if that's what you've got.

IMO, "pennies in a can" doesn't sound like a rod bearing. I tend to agree with those above suggesting timing belt tensioner/arms/guides problem(s).

Can you post a decent quality vid of the sound?
Click to expand...

Correct me If I am wrong but squealing from the bottom end, near the oil pan, means the beginning of the end of rod bearings, especially if dirt gets in the journals.
 

TylerByers18

Member
Jan 4, 2012
110
5
18
Grand Prairie, TX
Jan 18, 2012
#13
  • Jan 18, 2012
  • #13
Could be lash adjusters or valve guides like said above, oil level ok and doesnt burn oil?is it a 2v motor or a 4v above post said 4v? one of the lash adjuster could be stuck down and the lifter could be hitting it i would check heads if possible
 

Iceman1987

New Member
Jan 17, 2012
16
0
1
Jan 18, 2012
#14
  • Jan 18, 2012
  • #14
Ok i just watched that video and my car sounds nothing like that. Mine sounds much lower in sound and does not do it at idle. Only between 1500 to 2500 rpms. No sound in higher revs. Lifters replaced and just took it to a shop. They say sound is coming from tranny area. My clutch is new, about 5 months. Stock ford racing clutch. They said nothing with the engine. My car runs great just have the damn noise....what the hell is it?????? Rod bearings sound morr like a constant knocking noise mine is more of a tick and only low rpm....
 

5.0Droptop

...all those nights we shared, and you're a dude??
Special Agent Mukity-Muck Whats in Charge Round Here
May 15, 2002
1,785
1,130
233
Indiana
Jan 18, 2012
#15
  • Jan 18, 2012
  • #15
Maybe the throw out bearing is jacked up.
 
Reactions: 02gtwife

TylerByers18

Member
Jan 4, 2012
110
5
18
Grand Prairie, TX
Jan 18, 2012
#16
  • Jan 18, 2012
  • #16
post a vid of it if you can or put it on youtube and put the link on here
 

Iceman1987

New Member
Jan 17, 2012
16
0
1
Jan 18, 2012
#17
  • Jan 18, 2012
  • #17
Well im tired of takin it to all these shops ans each one says somethin diff. Is it a bad chain? Bad bearing in tranny ? Im gunna be broke lol
 

Iceman1987

New Member
Jan 17, 2012
16
0
1
Jan 18, 2012
#18
  • Jan 18, 2012
  • #18
I will try to post a video tomorrow. Gotta be something stupid...
 

5.0Droptop

...all those nights we shared, and you're a dude??
Special Agent Mukity-Muck Whats in Charge Round Here
May 15, 2002
1,785
1,130
233
Indiana
Jan 18, 2012
#19
  • Jan 18, 2012
  • #19
I have heard throw out bearings rattle if the clutch cable is too loose. Also did you replace the pilot bearing in the fly wheel?
 
Reactions: 02gtwife

TylerByers18

Member
Jan 4, 2012
110
5
18
Grand Prairie, TX
Jan 18, 2012
#20
  • Jan 18, 2012
  • #20
Iceman1987 said:
I will try to post a video tomorrow. Gotta be something stupid...
Click to expand...
I bet it will help alot if we can hear the noise
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Y
2004 Mustang GT AUTO (4R70W) Grinding noise when going in R or Drive does it as I put it into park too
  • yellowandblack
  • Dec 12, 2024
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
326
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Dec 21, 2024
89ripper
Y
Engine 1994 Ford Mustang Gt Rod Knock/Stuck Lifter
  • yaboity
  • Jun 7, 2025
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
2
Views
279
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech Jun 8, 2025
AeroCoupe
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
977
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
gray owl
G
J
Progress Thread Family member 1989 GT- Backstory and updates
  • JRC99
  • Apr 19, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
15
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 26, 2025
JRC99
J
New daily driver help needed.....not a mustang but mustang drivetrain.
  • Wayne Waldrep
  • Jun 17, 2024
  • Other Auto Tech
  • 3 4 5
Replies
80
Views
6K
Other Auto Tech Jul 28, 2024
manicmechanic007
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?