Valve Train "ticking"

[Mike Wyatt]

Anybody else have a "ticking" sound in the engine at idle- sometimes, not all the time? 6000 miles, oil changed at 1000, and at 4000 miles (Castrol GTX 5W-20), Motorcraft filters both times.

 

[dpjedi]

If it's what I have, it's the injectors. They are noisy little buggers. I took one of those telescoping magnetic pick up things and used it kind of like a stethiscope (sp?). Every place on the engine has a nice mechanical "whir" if you will, but those injectors - tick tick tick tick tick tick.

 

[noxious_mustang]

one word, injectors....even more pronounced is the hood is open....

 

[Szlachcic]

It could also be the infamous ticking caused when your air conditioner is on. I don't remember exactly what it is (a solenoid I think) but you can search for ticking noises on this site and you will find it. Try turning your A/C off and see if the sound is still there. If it isn't then that is what it is and you just have to live with it. I am used to mine by now and don't even notice it anymore. Either that or it is b/c my car is loud .

If what I have told you doesn't work then it is probably the fuel injectors like the other guys have said.

 

[Sonic Brew]

The A/C clutch causes some ticking I think.

 

[manystangs]

Anybody else have a "ticking" sound in the engine at idle- sometimes, not all the time? 6000 miles, oil changed at 1000, and at 4000 miles (Castrol GTX 5W-20), Motorcraft filters both times.

Yes, and it is not injectors or the AC it is definately in the valve train. It doesn't do it all the time. I reproduced it once for the Dealer and they said it might be normal. I am sure it is not but We all have a 3/36. I would like to get it fixed though.
Michael

 

[scro]

Charge motion plates may also be rackety.

Has anyone that has done the deletes noticed a difference in noise?

 

[bvega]

Since the new V8 has floating wrist pins I bet that is it.

The GM gas trucks all have floating wrist pins for less friction and they make a serious ticking sound intermittantly.

There is a GM TSB on the issue that says that it is normal. GM dealer replaced entire valve train anyway and it still persisted.

Floating wrist pins will make the ticking sound when cold and then will be fine when the engine is warm until the ambient air temp outside reaches 90*+ and it will come back.

This may not be the problem, but I have a good feeling that it is since it is intermittant. Bad valvetrain parts would do this all the time and not intermittantly.

Hope that your stang is ok.