• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Ticking noise.

  • Thread starter Thread starter 795.0pacecar
  • Start date Start date Mar 12, 2004

795.0pacecar

lover of pudgy polygamists
Jul 11, 2003
480
0
17
Senoia, GA
Mar 12, 2004
#1
  • Mar 12, 2004
  • #1
I have a speed density 88 5.0.
In the mornings when its cold it makes a ticking noise, real fast high pitched ticks. When the engine warms up it will only ticks at low RPM high gear and when I give it more than half throttle.

Its hard for me to describe the sound, it doesnt sound like an exhaust leak, its realy strange.
 
J

jerry beach

Founding Member
May 20, 2002
2,671
0
46
Ocala,FL
Mar 12, 2004
#2
  • Mar 12, 2004
  • #2
Thats not much info to go on. The fan hitting the shroud comes to mind. Try pulling the belt off and starting it up cold. Either way you will narrow it down. Just dont run it for long with no belt. Alternator comes to mind too. So does pinging, but not likely when its cold.
 

_jb_

New Member
Mar 4, 2004
808
0
0
Michigan, Berrien County
Mar 12, 2004
#3
  • Mar 12, 2004
  • #3
Power steering maybe? I know I need to replace mine because it makes some bad noises.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Mar 12, 2004
#4
  • Mar 12, 2004
  • #4
do the ticks change with rpm changes (i.e., increase when revved, drop when revs dip)?
it sounds like something that is tolerance related; as it goes through the heat cycle, it diminishes. could be valvetrain (what weight of oil you run, filter type, and how old is it)?
or header to block leak, as suggested.
can you use a mechanic's stethescope or a screwdriver to try to locate it? be careful and all that, BTW.
good luck.
 

795.0pacecar

lover of pudgy polygamists
Jul 11, 2003
480
0
17
Senoia, GA
Mar 12, 2004
#5
  • Mar 12, 2004
  • #5
It has 10w-40 and a fram filter, both only have 1000 miles on them and it didn't seem to start ticking untill alittle while after I changed the oil. If I just rev it it doesn't tick but as soon as there is any kind of load on it it makes the tick.

What did you suggest me to look at with a stethascope or a screwdriver? I did change the driverside headgasket because it was blown, but it made a totaly different noise.

The only answers I can come up with is, sticky lifters, bad speedo cable, or maybe the fan is hitting the shroud. But Im realy stummped, Im going to work on it tomorrow and try to see whats up.
 
Z

ZarnAutomotive

Banned
Aug 12, 2003
141
0
0
Mar 13, 2004
#6
  • Mar 13, 2004
  • #6
795.0pacecar said:
It has 10w-40 and a fram filter, both only have 1000 miles on them and it didn't seem to start ticking untill alittle while after I changed the oil. If I just rev it it doesn't tick but as soon as there is any kind of load on it it makes the tick.

What did you suggest me to look at with a stethascope or a screwdriver? I did change the driverside headgasket because it was blown, but it made a totaly different noise.

The only answers I can come up with is, sticky lifters, bad speedo cable, or maybe the fan is hitting the shroud. But Im realy stummped, Im going to work on it tomorrow and try to see whats up.
Click to expand...
how many miles is on the engine?
 

795.0pacecar

lover of pudgy polygamists
Jul 11, 2003
480
0
17
Senoia, GA
Mar 13, 2004
#7
  • Mar 13, 2004
  • #7
About 200,000
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Mar 13, 2004
#8
  • Mar 13, 2004
  • #8
i dont think it is the fan. that would be constant, not heat related.
something to try would be scrapping the Fram. the drainback valve does not work. you can get some issues with it and start up and if it is clogged, you will bypass the filter altogether (the failure of this valve allows unfiltered oil to drain back into the sump overnight, creating some dry start issues and allowing unfiltered oil to flow throught the block).
i doubt that is the solution, but there is a chance. mostly for future reference.

i re-read and saw that you mention the low rpm in high gear part. any chance you are hearing detonation or preignition, and/or a backfire?

how is the oil pressure (and is it from the stock gauge or aftermarket?)?

if all else fails, were it me, i would toss a Motorcraft oil filter in and a quart of oil (cost: under 5 bucks) and see how it does. even if it does not help, it would give peace of mind.
(i have some links on oil filter stuff if you want).

my first guess would have been exhaust leak, BTW. symptoms sound pretty good to me for that. but you know how that sounds, so.........i dunno.

that is what comes to mind. im sure Jerry and others will have some other ideas.
 

795.0pacecar

lover of pudgy polygamists
Jul 11, 2003
480
0
17
Senoia, GA
Mar 13, 2004
#9
  • Mar 13, 2004
  • #9
I may try the filter change, I had a motorcraft before and I didn't have this problem, I got the fram because it was cheap. The engine seems to run just fine, theres just that high pitched ticking. I went to the dragstrip today and I didn't break anything and the ticking didn't get any worse so Im not too sure its something stress related.


Thanks for the suggestions guys.
 

795.0pacecar

lover of pudgy polygamists
Jul 11, 2003
480
0
17
Senoia, GA
Mar 13, 2004
#10
  • Mar 13, 2004
  • #10
The oil pressure is fine, I dont think its detonation, that was my first conclusion, so I filled it with 93 octain and it didnt help any.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Mar 13, 2004
#11
  • Mar 13, 2004
  • #11
sorry if i was ambiguous, but i think it is heat and tolerance related , not stress related.

oh yeah, about the stethoscope.....put it (or a screwdriver) on various components when it is ticking (i.e., in the morning when the motor is cold) and listen for ticking (if using a screwdriver, hold your ear to the screwdriver handle). try it, it works well. the stethoscope usually has a longer cord and probe, making it easier to reach headers and things like that. if you think it is an accessory, as was mentioned by others, put the device of choice on each accessory and listen. you can really hear what is goin on inside each thing.
good luck.
 

795.0pacecar

lover of pudgy polygamists
Jul 11, 2003
480
0
17
Senoia, GA
Mar 13, 2004
#12
  • Mar 13, 2004
  • #12
It only ticks while in gear, Im beggining to think it may be the transmition.
 

IMissMy93Fox

New Member
Mar 9, 2004
143
0
0
Mar 13, 2004
#13
  • Mar 13, 2004
  • #13
Try taking the pluh wires off one at a time and see if you can get rid of it that way... my mechanic tried that when mine was knocking. turned out I crushed a lifter so that didnt really help....
 

astronut1885

Founding Member
Jan 31, 2002
1,899
4
39
Assonet, MA
Mar 13, 2004
#14
  • Mar 13, 2004
  • #14
My injectors tick, so maybe you're hearing that... Also, a Motorcraft filter is like 3.00 or less at WalMart, so try there. Never use a fram, unless you want to damage your motor. Those things are bad news. Everything else in this world that is orange usually means it's dangerous (IE- road cones and warning signs), so consider the orange filter to be the same.
 
Z

ZarnAutomotive

Banned
Aug 12, 2003
141
0
0
Mar 14, 2004
#15
  • Mar 14, 2004
  • #15
astronut1885 said:
My injectors tick, so maybe you're hearing that... Also, a Motorcraft filter is like 3.00 or less at WalMart, so try there. Never use a fram, unless you want to damage your motor. Those things are bad news. Everything else in this world that is orange usually means it's dangerous (IE- road cones and warning signs), so consider the orange filter to be the same.
Click to expand...
put the scope on the oil pan and listen to hear if you have a bearing going out , and Fram actually makes a good oil Filter ,
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Mar 14, 2004
#16
  • Mar 14, 2004
  • #16
in the tests i read, the TG (middle Fram filter) did ok. the rest suck. but other cheaper filters did much better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Engine Strange Noise
  • burntokita
  • May 8, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
439
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 11, 2026
keel
B
2001 v6 New compressor issue
  • badmech
  • Apr 30, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
112
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Apr 30, 2026
badmech
B
S
08 Mustang gt high pitched noise from rear
  • sainto
  • Jun 30, 2025
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
252
2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk- Jun 30, 2025
sainto
S
A
Rough idle - cylinder 1 and 6 misfire HELP
  • austindavies935
  • Jul 24, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
778
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jul 24, 2025
gkomo
S
Fuel ‘88 GT Runs Rich Cold — Fixes Itself When I Unplug Sensors (ECT, MAF, O2, etc.)
  • Sufarry
  • Nov 6, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
930
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 9, 2025
Mustang5L5
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?