Ticking....Gets louder when warm

Rock777 · Apr 14, 2005

It sounds like an exhaust leak, but I have had two different exhaust places look for the sound and they couldn't find it. Although, I don't think either of them checked the egr tubes in the back of the heads, I don't think they could make this ticking and I checked and they seem to be tight. The ticking gets louder the warmer it gets, because when I first start it I can't hear it at all, even when I am next to a curb. After it warms up, it is plane as day whether I am next to a curb or not. I am thinking maybe roller rockers, but don't understand why it would only be when they are warm. I also considered pinging, but my timing is set at 16, which isn't high for aluminum heads, and I run 93 octane. The sound seems to be coming from the back of the engine, but it is hard to tell. Oh yeah, and it really is only noticeable from about 2000 - 2500 rpms. I am at a loss, if anyone can help me pinpoint this I will mail you a 12 pack of your favorite beverage. Seriously though, I will!!

notchback · Apr 14, 2005

if it for sure gets louder the warmer the engine temp, i would say it's not the exhaust

exhaust leaks can go away when it's hotter cuz the metal expands and seals of the gap

i'd guess that it might be a lifter or rocker
and when the oil heats and thins it makes more noise....might be able to use thicker oil for a temp fix (20w50) synthetic

Rock777 · Apr 15, 2005

notchback said:
if it for sure gets louder the warmer the engine temp, i would say it's not the exhaust

exhaust leaks can go away when it's hotter cuz the metal expands and seals of the gap

i'd guess that it might be a lifter or rocker
and when the oil heats and thins it makes more noise....might be able to use thicker oil for a temp fix (20w50) synthetic

That's what I figured with the exhaust, but why wouldn't a rocker tick when first started. I mean if it's out of adjustment, it's out of adjustment reguardless of hot or cold, right? If the engine is ran and sets a few hours, you can still hear it when you start it up, just not as bad. Now when it sits a day or two, it is quiet for the first minute or two, and then the tick is more noticeable once it warms up. My experience tells me it has to be exhaust or rockers, but given the circumstances neither makes sense to me.

8mycsh · Apr 15, 2005

I think I know the sound you are talking about it. It just happened to me it was my pistons....2000CND and problem fixed.

My advice get it to a mechanic asap.

5.0fox · Apr 15, 2005

possibly a lifter colapsing when the oil gets hot and thin. this would cause the rocker to become loose and tick.

vristang · Apr 15, 2005

I would go with a bad lifter/rocker.

What viscosity oil are you running? If it has a low viscosity when hot that could be your problem. Maybe you just got the wrong oil.

Jo_885o · Apr 15, 2005

Whats ur oil pressure at? could be oil pump/ oil pump d/s

Rock777 · Apr 15, 2005

My oil pressure seems to be fine, although the stock gauges aren't the best. I run Amsoil 10w30 synthetic.

I was really listening this morning when I first got in my car to see if I could hear the ticking at all. I turned the radio down, rolled the windows down and got in right in the 2000-2500 range, and I'll be damned, I could hear it. It does seem to get more noticeable as you drive, but you can hear it when cold. The thing I don't understand is how this could happen out of nowhere to a fairly fresh engine, the lifters and rockers and such only have about 15k on them. I plan on readjusting my rockers soon, but I just don't see how they would come loose all of a sudden. I guess anything is possible, especially with good ole Murphy around.

green · Apr 15, 2005

how can you tell if you have a bad rocker.

bmorrisj · Apr 15, 2005

pull the valve covers....

vristang · Apr 15, 2005

I didn't realize that you had adjustable rockers. If you adjust them they will probably quiet down, at least for a while. I have adjusted mine several times. They are quiet for about 5min then go right back to clacking away. I think this is the best reason to use bolt downs.

Rock777 · Apr 15, 2005

vristang said:
I didn't realize that you had adjustable rockers. If you adjust them they will probably quiet down, at least for a while. I have adjusted mine several times. They are quiet for about 5min then go right back to clacking away. I think this is the best reason to use bolt downs.

I am planning on adjusting them again soon, but it is not really a noisy drivetrain like the rockers sound like a sewing machine. It is like a single tick that increases with the rpm, so a single rocker could be loose.

Guyfoxbody · Apr 15, 2005

Did you just put on a new exhaust? the reason I ask is i recently put headers and H pipe on. i get a small sound, not so much a ticking but close. i have no leaks either and when i accelerate i can hear the sound more. i just figured it is the sound of the turbulence in the exhaust.

Rerun · Apr 15, 2005

Any smoke?

Might be a busted valve guide.

Thenemesis · Apr 15, 2005

bent lifter or valve... thats the only thing i can think of in that case.. the car gets warmer and so does the lifter when its all outa wack so it heats up gets even more screwed...

Rock777 · Apr 15, 2005

Guyfoxbody - No, I didn't just put on a new exhaust, and it is definitely a tick.

Rerun - It doesn't smoke really, although it does use oil slightly, but I am pretty sure there is a small leak in the rear intake seal.

Thenemesis - That's what I am afraid of, especially a lifter because I then have to tear the whole intake off. Is there any way of telling for sure what it is? I know I can take my valve covers off and see if there is a rocker bent or loose, but other than that do I have to tear off the intake to check. That would just suck to tear it down and find out all the lifters are good, ya know.

gt90stang · Apr 15, 2005

Mine ticked worse when warm after the cheap header gaskets burned through. Look for little black marks all around the headers, mine had several. Fixed it with dead soft aluminum header gaskets.

Don

Rock777 · Apr 15, 2005

gt90stang said:
Mine ticked worse when warm after the cheap header gaskets burned through. Look for little black marks all around the headers, mine had several. Fixed it with dead soft aluminum header gaskets.

Don

I just got it back from an exhaust shop who went over the headers with a mechanics stethoscope and didn't find anything. It's driving me nuts!

Rock777 · Apr 16, 2005

Is there any way at all to see or test if it is one of my lifters that is shot. If I take the valve covers off and the rockers seem tight along with the rockers, can I assume it is a lifter? Like I said, I really want to pinpoint the noise, but then again I don't want to tear down the top half of my engine to replace the lifters and find out they are all fine. Also, what could cause a lifter, pushrod, or rocker to just go bad, especially with relatively low miles? What other damage could I cause by driving like this, if any? Any advice?

Rock777 · Apr 17, 2005

Any ideas, suggestions, or answers to the questions in post #19, thanks.

Ticking....Gets louder when warm

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