Common Cobra Problem?

varad · Jan 12, 2008

I was looking into a 1997 SVT Cobra from a dealership. However, the dealer's mechanic told me that there is a ticking from the heads. He said that this has to do with the camshaft housing/mount clearance and that is a common problem on this motor. Is this true and is it an easy fix?

Thanks

cobranator · Jan 12, 2008

The tick is not a particular problem to the 96-98 Cobras although it may happen, it was more prevalent on the early 03 Cobras and the problem was the valve guides IIRC.

If this 97 you're looking at has a tick it may be the hydraulic lash adjuster that's making itself known and relatively easy to change, I doubt it would be the camshaft housing/mount clearance.

LaserSVT · Jan 12, 2008

cobranator said:
The tick is not a particular problem to the 96-98 Cobras although it may happen, it was more prevalent on the early 03 Cobras and the problem was the valve guides IIRC.

If this 97 you're looking at has a tick it may be the hydraulic lash adjuster that's making itself known and relatively easy to change, I doubt it would be the camshaft housing/mount clearance.

My 96 has the tick too and I always just assumed it was valve guides, how do you check and fix/replace the hydraulic lash adjuster. Where is it?

cobranator · Jan 12, 2008

LaserSVT said:
My 96 has the tick too and I always just assumed it was valve guides, how do you check and fix/replace the hydraulic lash adjuster. Where is it?

The lash adjusters are essentially like lifters although they don't move up and down in the DOHC Cobra engines as they do in the pushrod engines.. They sit stationary in their own bores with one end of the cam follower/rocker arm sitting on top of them and the other on the valve tip. If you'll pull the cam cover you'll easily see them.

As how to diagnose which lash adjuster is collapsed and making a tick use a mechanics stethoscope to localize the source and maybe change those where you think the tick is the greatest. Or if funds allow change all of them. Now I've never changed any of them but people that have said it wasn't all that difficult.

LaserSVT · Jan 12, 2008

Thats great to know, I thought I had to buy new heads You say its easy and I am mechanicaly inclined, but to replace the lash adjuster wouldnt I have to remove the cam girdle and then the cam itself to get to them. Also where do I buy them from, and any idea on cost?

cobranator · Jan 12, 2008

LaserSVT said:
Thats great to know, I thought I had to buy new heads You say its easy and I am mechanicaly inclined, but to replace the lash adjuster wouldnt I have to remove the cam girdle and then the cam itself to get to them. Also where do I buy them from, and any idea on cost?

You can get the lash adjusters from Ford but I don't know how much they cost, ask in the parts department. But before you go and replace them make sure that in fact that's your problem. No you don't have to remove tha cam girdles, the cams stay in place. As I've said I' ve never replaced them, others have, I would suggest get a shop manual and read up on the procedure. I have Haynes manual and the instructions are pretty clear as how to do it. You'll also need a Ford valve spring compressor tool...(Ford tool no. T93P-6565-A).. to push down on the valve spring retainer to relieve the pressure from the cam follower. Once the cam follower is removed you can pull out the lash adjuster.

blackfang · Jan 13, 2008

varad said:
I was looking into a 1997 SVT Cobra from a dealership. However, the dealer's mechanic told me that there is a ticking from the heads. He said that this has to do with the camshaft housing/mount clearance and that is a common problem on this motor. Is this true and is it an easy fix?

Thanks

Ask him how many 96-98 DOHC's he has worked on to know this is a common issue?

varad · Jan 14, 2008

he said he contacted his local ford dealer and they told him it was a common problem.

blackfang · Jan 14, 2008

Wow you would think after 11 years there would be atleast 1 TSB for technicians to reference for this "common problem". Yet, there isn't a single one. I find that very odd.

There is a TSB(03-11-4) for the 03's for a left hand side ticking that was due to valve guide wear for vehicles built before 11/1/2002. I think the Technician is confused.

LaserSVT · Jan 14, 2008

varad said:
I was looking into a 1997 SVT Cobra from a dealership. However, the dealer's mechanic told me that there is a ticking from the heads. He said that this has to do with the camshaft housing/mount clearance and that is a common problem on this motor. Is this true and is it an easy fix?

Thanks

varad said:
he said he contacted his local ford dealer and they told him it was a common problem.

Wait Im confused The mechanic at the dealership called another dealer to find out about it?

blackfang · Jan 14, 2008

LaserSVT said:
Wait Im confused The mechanic at the dealership called another dealer to find out about it?

Sounds about right. I get mechanics from small car lots that sell cars call me in regards to their Subaru they are selling/fixing. Most of the time they have no clue about the car. It is possible.

However in this case it appears the someone was mistaken because there isn't a single TSB on that noise for a 97 Cobra. If it was a common problem, it would have been published years ago. There was one for early model 03 Cobras for that noise and it was known that same year those cars came out.

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