Tick??

EvilEyez · Jun 7, 2004

I've been doing some research on the "Tick", but I was wondering if anyone can shead some direct light on it. What is it, what should I be looking or listening for? Should I hold up on any additional mods? I've heard it depends on when your car was built, mine was an early run, Nov.02. Input would be great.

Uncle Meat · Jun 7, 2004

EvilEyez said:
I've been doing some research on the "Tick", but I was wondering if anyone can shead some direct light on it. What is it, what should I be looking or listening for? Should I hold up on any additional mods? I've heard it depends on when your car was built, mine was an early run, Nov.02. Input would be great.

I have had my engine pulled on 2 seperate occasions to have the drivers side head replaced because my car had the "Tick". If you had it, you'd know it!
Here is what it sounds like: Right-Click/Save-As (MP3)

Here is a simple test to determine if you have the "Tick"...
1. Warm up engine.
2. Get the car next to a solid concrete or brick wall (Fast food driv-thru lanes are ideal for this test).
3. Shut off the radio, roll up passenger window, and shut off A/C or vent fan.
4. Roll down the drivers window and listen to the engine at idle.

If you have the problem, you'll hear a very distinct TICK-TICK-TICK bouncing off the wall and right into the drivers window! The tick will rise and fall with the RPM's. If you have to strain to hear it, or you're really not sure even with this test... THEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE TICK!

Here is the actual TSB for the head replacement:

Article No. 03-11-4 ENGINE - MUSTANG COBRA - TICK NOISE FROM ENGINE - COBRA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ENGINES BUILT BEFORE 11/1/2002 ONLY

Publication Date: May 23, 2003

FORD: 2003 MUSTANG

ISSUE:
Some 2003 Mustang Cobra vehicles with engines built before 11/1/2002 may exhibit an unusual engine tick noise that is present at all temperatures during idle. This noise may be due to valve guide wear in the left bank cylinder head. Guide wear manifests itself as a tick noise which can be heard at the rear of LH head, through LH catalyst, at the LH front wheel well and may not be heard with the hood open.

ACTION:
Use the diagnostic procedures listed in this article to evaluate the vehicle condition and replace the cylinder head if applicable. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE: THIS REPLACEMENT CYLINDER HEAD WILL NOT IMPROVE OR REDUCE PERFORMANCE.

In order to diagnose noise, the following items must be checked.

Verify noise by placing a stethoscope on the back of the left head near the exhaust ports.
Verify that the noise is heard in the left side exhaust system (left side wheel well or catalytic converter, from underneath the vehicle).
Try to isolate the noise by canceling the cylinders, by unplugging the injectors one at a time (start with #8 cylinder).
Verify that there are no exhaust manifold leaks.
Check to make sure that the camshaft spacers are in place. If not, install cam spacers (per Workshop Manual Section 303-01C) and retest vehicle.
Check for proper cam sprocket bolt torque, retorque to spec listed in the Workshop Manual Section 303-01C.
Check for spongy lash adjusters (refer to Section 303-00 in the corresponding Workshop Manual).
Verify that the timing chain tensioner pin has been removed.
If the above diagnostics does not eliminate the noise while the cylinders are cancelled, and the engine was built prior to 11/1/2002, replace the left side cylinder head and cam assembly with Part Number 3R2Z-6049-GA. Refer to Workshop Manual Section 303-01C for cylinder head replacement procedures.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
3R2Z-6049-GA Cylinder Head And Cam Assembly - Left - Cobra Only

U.M.

EvilEyez · Jun 7, 2004

Hmm

Thanks for reply U.M. I don't think I have it, but I'll do the test just to put my mind at ease. How did ford handle your claim to the tick? Does Ford Know what % of Cobra's have the tick? Anyways, Thanks Again.

LEDFOOT320 · Jun 7, 2004

i have a 97 cobra that has ticking noise coming from the driver side head in the back.were can i get more info on this and do alot of these cars have that problem.

Uncle Meat · Jun 8, 2004

EvilEyez said:
How did ford handle your claim to the tick? Does Ford Know what % of Cobra's have the tick? Anyways, Thanks Again.

Couldn't tell you how many cars were/are affected by the tick. Haven't seen or read about any official numbers.

I'll give props out to my local Ford service department on this one. They not only handled my problem in a timely manner, but they went above and beyond for me too! The first time I took it in I had to wait almost 3 weeks before all the parts were available to perform the head swap. At the time Ford was replacing A LOT of heads on '03 Cobra's and there were a few supply line problems getting the new head bolts, gaskets, and such. The 2nd time I took it in they had all the parts on hand within 3 or 4 days. It only took the SVT tech about 3 days to do the whole job start to finish.

One benefit to having my motor pulled.... the first time they pulled the motor to replace the drivers side head I had them install my JBA shortys. The 2nd time the motor came out for the tick I had them install the Apten Cooling mod!

U.M.

EvilEyez · Jun 8, 2004

Still worried about my car since it was an early build.(10/2002) I bought my car used with 10,000 miles on it, the previous owner was a car sales man at the dealership. He had all his service done at the dealer ship, he gave me all the records for the car. Now I'm wondering if he knew of the problem and decided to trade it in, or maybe he got it taken car of. I'm thinking of taking it in anyway. I hear something, it sounds like belt squeak. I'm all paranoid now.

travis0712 · Jun 8, 2004

No need to get paranoid, it's a ford not a kia

How many miles do you have on it now? If you ware 5 to 10k below 36k... you are fine with plenty of time to get problems fixed. Besides, it is not uncommong for ford to mail you an extended warrenty about a certain high failing part...

Case in point, I received a letter from ford about the EGR valve on my 02 explorer... it is now extended for two more years and like 50k miles

EvilEyez · Jun 8, 2004

travis0712 said:
No need to get paranoid, it's a ford not a kia

How many miles do you have on it now? If you ware 5 to 10k below 36k... you are fine with plenty of time to get problems fixed. Besides, it is not uncommong for ford to mail you an extended warrenty about a certain high failing part...

Case in point, I received a letter from ford about the EGR valve on my 02 explorer... it is now extended for two more years and like 50k miles

I have 20,000+ miles on it now and bought the extended warrenty, that's why I've limited my aftermarket parts. Should I even hassle taking it in if I don't hear anything? How loud does the tick get?

Uncle Meat · Jun 8, 2004

EvilEyez said:
Should I even hassle taking it in if I don't hear anything? How loud does the tick get?

Did you listen to the recording I posted above? Trust me, it is loud enough that you'll hear it! If you are unsure whether you have the tick or not after performing the test I outlined above.... THEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE TICK!

U.M.

travis0712 · Jun 9, 2004

Exactly... and if you have the extended warenty - good for you!!! You are taken care of for a long time

WILDTHANG · Jun 10, 2004

I just bought an 03 Cobra, I looked and my production date is 09/02. Is there a way I can check to see if the head or any other work has been done? Does Ford give you access to the vehicle's history based on VIN or ???

Thanks, Glen

DS GREY 03 Cobra

Uncle Meat · Jun 10, 2004

WILDTHANG said:
I just bought an 03 Cobra, I looked and my production date is 09/02. Is there a way I can check to see if the head or any other work has been done? Does Ford give you access to the vehicle's history based on VIN or ???

Thanks, Glen

DS GREY 03 Cobra

Yup! Just head on over to your local Ford dealer and have them put your VIN in their computer system. They can spit out an "Oasis" report that will show all the times the car has been worked on at a Ford dealer.

U.M.

WILDTHANG · Jun 10, 2004

Thanks

Hey thanks for the tip. I have a feeling the head might have already been changed, since my car has JBA headers on it. Without being heavily moded I can't see someone going to all the trouble to install those.

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