tapping noise

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capes_314

New Member

Nov 15, 2008

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Nov 15, 2008

#1

• Nov 15, 2008

• #1

I have a 2003 mustang Gt with 72000 miles on it and there is a tapping/ticking noise coming from the left side of the motor when in neutral and in drive. When in neutral it does it at around 1700rpm and does it steadly at 2000rmp while its in drive no matter the gear. There is no lag in power or any vibrations in the motor. I need help!!!

 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member

Dec 6, 2004

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Nov 15, 2008

#2

• Nov 15, 2008

• #2

When the engine is cold (as in sitting overnight cold), check the spark plugs and see if any of them are coming loose.

These motors have a nasty habit of spitting spark plugs out of the head due to a very poor thread design, and tapping or ticking is the first sign.

Please do that before driving the car any more. Just remove the coil pack (1 bolt) and then use a socket on an extension and a ratchet to see if the plug is tight or not. I'd suggest checking them all.

 

trinity_gt

10 Year Member

Jan 31, 2003

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Canada

Nov 16, 2008

#3

• Nov 16, 2008

• #3

BurningRubber said:

When the engine is cold (as in sitting overnight cold), check the spark plugs and see if any of them are coming loose.

These motors have a nasty habit of spitting spark plugs out of the head due to a very poor thread design, and tapping or ticking is the first sign.

Click to expand...

+1.

 

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capes_314

New Member

Nov 15, 2008

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Nov 16, 2008

#4

• Nov 16, 2008

• #4

checked the plugs and they are all tight.... could it be lifters...

 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member

Dec 6, 2004

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Nov 16, 2008

#5

• Nov 16, 2008

• #5

Could be, but it's not common for them to go out in these engines.

What I would suggest now is this: Remove the serpentine belt and start the car, see if it ticks then. Do not drive anywhere or let it idle for more than a minute or two while you are trying to listen, or the car will overheat and drain the battery as neither the waterpump or alternator is spinning.

It's just a quick method to check and see if any accessorie is making the noise. If you still hear it, then its something in the engine.

 

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poindexternasty

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Apr 29, 2008

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Nov 17, 2008

#6

• Nov 17, 2008

• #6

Ditto on the spark plug threads, check the plugs and torque them to spec. If your noise is coming from the front of the engine, it could be the timing chain on its way out. Here is a link to what another stangbanger had an issue with:

YouTube - Engine Noise

 

myponyrocks

I have more billet on the Stang than most women ha

Apr 18, 2004

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Nov 17, 2008

#7

• Nov 17, 2008

• #7

Sure it's not injector tick? Mine ticked for the first 60k of it's life... now if it does it I can't tell since all I hear is blower whistle.

 

62thunderbird

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Jul 2, 2008

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Nor Cal

Nov 17, 2008

#8

• Nov 17, 2008

• #8

I agree with the above post. My 97GT that had a 2000 GT motor had a tick and it was the injectors. Some Lucas fuel injector cleaner took care of the problem. It was noticlable at idle to 2000 RPM. I think it might be the injectors.