valve tap?

pumm3l · Aug 16, 2006

last year I replaced my engine because of a spun bearing. I've been driving around with this 02 explorer engine for almost a year and took it to get dyno tuned with the nitrous last night, my old motor I was careless and didn't check the oil before getting on the car thats how I blew that engine last time, well since then I've been paranoid as hell and check the oil all the time.

I checked my oil monday it said I have 3/4 (I changed it this past weekend) on the dip stick so I don't think to check it before having it dynoed the next day, anyway the car gets tuned with a 100 shot and everything is good I drive it home it feels fine. This morning I start the car to go to work and I get down the street and start hearing a valve tap I pull over and check the oil....it's on the MIN line??? I ran into the house throw in a whole qt. of oil and check it again...MAX line??? When i started up the car this morning and heard the vavle tap I looked at the oil pressure and it was fine, after the car warmed up the vavle tap is gone.

I turned it over again just now and the tap is there when the engine is cold, but I"m starting to wonder if it's a valve tap now, it sounds like its coming from the tranny, I remember when I spun the bearing on my old motor the valve tap would get louder and faster with the rpms, when I get it some gas the tap goes away? I only hear it at idle, oil pressure still looks good.

trinity_gt · Aug 16, 2006

I'm really starting to question whether a quiet modular is the exception rather than the rule...

pumm3l · Aug 16, 2006

trinity_gt said:
I'm really starting to question whether a quiet modular is the exception rather than the rule...

not quite sure what you mean...

the98stang · Aug 16, 2006

If the sound likes a clock ticking, it's probably an exhaust leak or lifter tick. Neither of which are big deals. If it sounds like a rock in a spray paint can, then you should worry. The stock oil pressure gauge is a POS and isn't accurate. I would fill the car up with oil to the max line and drive around for a few miles. Then park on level ground, let the car cool, and check the oil. If it sucked down some oil (more than a quart) it could be burning past the piston rings.

trinity_gt · Aug 16, 2006

pumm3l said:
not quite sure what you mean...

I mean that ticks, taps, knocks, piston slaps and the rest seem to be very, very common with the rock tumbler Ford calls a modular.

ADRENLN · Aug 17, 2006

that is true. ive had ticking since the day i bought this car brand new. i thought it was the tsb on the heads and that they were the problem. well got ported heads and i still have the ticking.

GodAmGT00 · Aug 17, 2006

I wonder if you've got a clogged oil galley somewhere before the head?? Either that, or your oil pump may not be up to the task...

JT

flexiclese · Aug 17, 2006

This comes up every once in awhile on the forum. My car (03gt) has had what sounds like a valve tick when cold since 15-20K mi. If it has good oil pressure and all you spark plugs are tight its probably piston slap, which is what i have got, which is more or less harmless. Just don't romp on it until its warmed up. Do a search for "death rattle" for more info.

Kilgore Trout · Aug 17, 2006

Yeah, sounds like death rattle (not as bad as the name implies, common situation nothing to worry about if that IS what is making the noise)

Bottom line though is sounds are very hard to diagnose over the internet.

01Steeda · Aug 17, 2006

yeah i though my tapping was just an injector or a valve tap... umm not so lucky. it got louder and worse over the next week.... spun bearing

pumm3l · Aug 17, 2006

01Steeda said:
yeah i though my tapping was just an injector or a valve tap... umm not so lucky. it got louder and worse over the next week.... spun bearing

did your tap go away when the engine warmed up?

See I know what a spun bearing sounds like, this this sound is similar but the only difference is that this tap goes away with the engine warmed up and I only hear it at idle.

The "death rattle" is something that gets worse over time? I just installed the nitrous and had it tuned now I'm paranoid as hell to even down shift to pass people on the highway.

pumm3l · Aug 17, 2006

took a sound clip of my tapping:

http://www.sstang.com/audio/tapping.mp3

Blue2kMustangGT · Aug 17, 2006

pumm3l said:
did your tap go away when the engine warmed up?

I also have this cold-start rattling problem. The rattle goes away within 5 mins. Once it goes away I don't get the rattle on startup unless the car sits for more than 2 hours, then I get the rattle on startup. It doesn't happen all the time though, that's what's making me crazy!

I changed the oil twice last month and I always use the correct motorcraft filter with the anti-drainback valve. Still no luck...

If it is a clogged oil galley, how do I unclog it? Is there an oil additive that I can use? Will an oil system flush help?

I have a 2000GT with 110k hard miles on it.

Thanks,
Bill

GodAmGT00 · Aug 17, 2006

I've never personally had a clogged galley.. Doesn't sound like that is your problem though...

It just sounds inherent in these engines.. It just takes forever for the engine to warm up... Piston slap sounds more like your issue..

I'd say just let the car get up to operating temp, and just be easy when you first start driving it.. If it gets louder, THEN I'd start to worry..

The only thing I noticed, was the ticking was very loud over your exhaust.. I think even when it's raw cold outside, I NEVER get that loud of ticking/knocking. Even w/ a quart low of oil...

I'm not trying to make you paranoid... Maybe someone else who has a similar case can chime in...

JT

01Steeda · Aug 17, 2006

no, mine gets worse after warm up now. but in the begining it was only heard at startup at idle

trinity_gt · Aug 17, 2006

pumm3l said:
took a sound clip of my tapping:

http://www.sstang.com/audio/tapping.mp3

Lash adjuster (i.e. "valve lifter") collapsed? I'd get an automotive stethoscope and listen more closely to try to isolate the source. If you can isolate it to a side you might pull that valve cover and start it to see if you can narrow it down further.

pumm3l · Aug 17, 2006

trinity_gt said:
Lash adjuster (i.e. "valve lifter") collapsed? I'd get an automotive stethoscope and listen more closely to try to isolate the source. If you can isolate it to a side you might pull that valve cover and start it to see if you can narrow it down further.

What's the difference between an automotive stethoscope and a medical one? I have a medical one....

trinity_gt · Aug 18, 2006

pumm3l said:
What's the difference between an automotive stethoscope and a medical one? I have a medical one....

Virtually identical...the automotive one just has a long, thin metal "pointer" probe to touch and isolate parts rather than the pad used in medical versions. Parts stores should sell them for cheap.

pumm3l · Aug 18, 2006

trinity_gt said:
Virtually identical...the automotive one just has a long, thin metal "pointer" probe to touch and isolate parts rather than the pad used in medical versions. Parts stores should sell them for cheap.

gotcha i'll check it out, I'm gonna change the oil this weekend and pray for no metal bits, after that I'm gonna do as you suggested and see if I can find which side the tap is coming from, then start tearing into it. Once I pull off the valve covers do you guys have any tips on things I should be looking for?

pumm3l · Aug 19, 2006

just got in from changing the oil.....no metal fragments or silverish looking oil thank god, tomorrow I'm gonna try to pull the valve covers and then go from there.

valve tap?

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