Tick tick tick tick...

Skud · Jun 26, 2007

So, over the past year or so I've been getting this "tick tick tick tick" while cruising at very light throttle. Within the last month or so it has become markedly worse.

The tick is most pronounced at just under 1500rpm and just under 2000rpm. Outside that range, the sound is still there, but not nearly as loud.. While in that range it echoes off the walls of my garage and I can hear it out my driver's side window cruising at 35mph.

I originally thought it was a plug working its way out, so I checked them and they were all perfectly tight.

The sound was there before I installed my headers. I thought it might be an exhaust leak, but it's still there after the header install and it has more of a solid "click" to it rather than the airy "pfft" or "tssst" of an exhaust leak.

The engine has ~60,000 miles on it.

I've tried to capture the sound with both my cell phone and digital camera, but neither have the frequency response to pick up the higher frequencies of the tick so it sounds really muffled..

Thoughts? I know these are very hard to diagnose over the internet, but maybe someone has the exact same symptoms..

Riley

03redgtstang · Jun 27, 2007

I have what I believe is the exact same problem. The only thing is. you said you hear it off the walls of your garage? That means it makes the noise when it is in park? Becuase when I rev in park it does not make the noise, only at times when you described otherwise. I will pass a car or something and it's like it echoes off of it extremely loud. I kinda always heard it before i put my exhaust on, but Once I put my c/b and midpipe it really amplified the noise. It sound like an exhaust leak tick somewhat but only under load for me, not when reving in park as I said before. Since I used my stock manifold gasket when I put on the exhaust, I thought it was just slightly leaking, so I had it changed. No luck... still does it. Someone recommended possibly the tensioner isn't applying enough pressure. I really have no idea though. It's starting to get on my nerves. I really think we might have similar problems becuase your spot on with how you tried to describe the noise and times of occurance minus being in the garage. Do you have 5spd or auto?

BTW i have auto 03 gt 60k roughly also just changed the plugs about 2 months ago

cooper58d2002 · Jun 27, 2007

Don't quote me on this one but It sounds like its just the normal operation of your injectors stock injectors use an on off spray so the clicking is just the valve opening and then closing over time they make a bit more noise than when they are new.

the98stang · Jun 27, 2007

Check your spark plugs. I bet one of them is slowly backing out. Install new plugs while you're at it, and torque them to 13lbs.

If it's not the plugs, it could be an exhaust leak, or something in the valve train.

Kilgore Trout · Jun 27, 2007

Ticking, especially ticking that is described as "getting louder", can be a loose plug getting ready to blow out as the98stang said.

If a plug is loose and you do not take immediate corrective action you will be sorry.

chuck943 · Jun 27, 2007

Does it sound like it might be a coil pack arching? Sometimes the boots on coil pack will go bad and it will arch on to head inside the plug hole.

Skud · Jun 27, 2007

Skud said:
I originally thought it was a plug working its way out, so I checked them and they were all perfectly tight.

Riley

Kilgore Trout · Jun 27, 2007

Well if it is not a plug try using 5W-30 instead of 5W-20. That quieted my engine's ticking noise down quite a bit.

scupking · Jun 27, 2007

I have the same tick. Happens in park and up to 2,000 RPM after that I can't really hear it.

Skud · Jun 27, 2007

Kilgore Trout said:
Well if it is not a plug try using 5W-30 instead of 5W-20. That quieted my engine's ticking noise down quite a bit.

That actually reminds me... My last oil change I used Mobile1 5W-20. I usually use Mobile1 5W-30.

Great.. Now I may have to go and drain $50 of oil from my car...

Riley

streethorse · Jun 27, 2007

Skud, are you running Royal Purple...... ?

Skud · Jun 27, 2007

Nope, Mobile1 5-20. I usually use 5-30 though..

Riley

03redgtstang · Jun 27, 2007

Thanks for the advice on the plugs guys. I did change them a while ago and didnt torque them, becuase I dont have a torque wrench. Just did the old fashion tightening down. Ill check to see if that is that case in my situation, becuase It did seem to start occurring shortly after I changed them.

Every morning recently when I go to start my car it starts up real hesitently. Seems like only in the morning. Then after wards it's pretty much good starting every time throughout the day. Does this make sense that it could be the plug slowly working out or is that just probably something esle. I recently changed fuel filter too.

TeddyKGB · Jun 27, 2007

03redgtstang said:
Thanks for the advice on the plugs guys. I did change them a while ago and didnt torque them, becuase I dont have a torque wrench. Just did the old fashion tightening down. Ill check to see if that is that case in my situation, becuase It did seem to start occurring shortly after I changed them.

Every morning recently when I go to start my car it starts up real hesitently. Seems like only in the morning. Then after wards it's pretty much good starting every time throughout the day. Does this make sense that it could be the plug slowly working out or is that just probably something esle. I recently changed fuel filter too.

What plugs did you change to? TR6's? I have seen some people with TR6 say that they get that same hesitation in the morning but then it starts up fine all day after that.

03redgtstang · Jun 27, 2007

Not sure. TR6? I know I got motorcraft plugs im unsure about TR6 though?

JimC · Jun 27, 2007

From bullit archive - TSB

03-16-04
Engine - 4.6L 2V-TICK NOISE FROM ENGINE-ENGINES BUILT BEFORE 8/29/2003
Some vehicles, equipped with the 4.6L 2V engine, with an "ENGINE BUILD DATE" prior to 8/29/03 may exhibit an engine tick noise that is present at all temperatures during idle. The noise may be emanating from the valve guide area in the Cylinder Head. The noise may not e heard with the hood open.

TeddyKGB · Jun 27, 2007

03redgtstang said:
Not sure. TR6? I know I got motorcraft plugs im unsure about TR6 though?

TR6 is a plug by NGK. I was trying to see if the TR6's seem to result in a hesitant startup in the morning.

03redgtstang · Jun 27, 2007

JimC, I cant speak for Skud but mine isn't present at all times, especially not at idle, mine just does it under load.

urban96 · Jun 27, 2007

could be an exhaust leak

20BlackGT02 · Jun 27, 2007

JimC said:
From bullit archive - TSB

03-16-04
Engine - 4.6L 2V-TICK NOISE FROM ENGINE-ENGINES BUILT BEFORE 8/29/2003
Some vehicles, equipped with the 4.6L 2V engine, with an "ENGINE BUILD DATE" prior to 8/29/03 may exhibit an engine tick noise that is present at all temperatures during idle. The noise may be emanating from the valve guide area in the Cylinder Head. The noise may not e heard with the hood open.

I had the same issue a few years ago and had both of my heads replaced at about 30,000 miles under the TSB and have not heard the noise since!

Tick tick tick tick...

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