98 EB V8: manifold leak? "sound" during accel

[-=c=-]

I just replaced the plugs and plug wires at 102k miles, figuring that was causing the sound, but no go. It does drive better, but I still get a te te te te te te te sound when cold or from a stop light. When warm it goes away. It's like the sound of a go kart taking off.

I'm wondering if it could be a manifold leak? Any ideas on what I can check? I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars, of course, but if there is something I can at least do to figure out the problem...that would help.

 

[Turdle]

I am almost certain you have the dreaded cracked exaust header (manifold)
It's on passenger side isn't it?
Welding it works temporarily, but it really needs replaced

search e-bay for explorer exaust manifold.
I saw them there before for about 200 each side, dealership price is about 500 each

or better still
get some TORQUEMONSTER headers ( heck, you've got a good excuse)
they will improve your gas mileage also

 

[410Fortune]

$200 each per side? Holy cow I now have 3 sets for sale, 3 ea passenger and 3 ea drivers.
1 set is has the external EGR hookup, the other two dont.

$199 ea + shipping PM me.

 

[-=c=-]

Well, $200 each isn't bad IF that really is the problem...I'd hate to pay $400 especially to replace stock for stock only to find out that wasn't the issue.

Is there a way to test this?

 

[Turdle]

Have someone rev engine while you listen under hood near passenger side
You'll hear it good
Also, you might be able to see obvious blackening from carbon around leaking area, although it might be under the heat shield.
I would bet mioney it's leaking, as it is a common problem.
check also that the egr tube ( from passenger side manifold up to throttle body elbow) isn't broken.

 

[-=c=-]

OK, thanks...I'll check it out.

 

[TheJMan]

I had the same sound on my 5.0 and it turned out to be a leaky passenger exhaust manifold. Of course, I replaced them with TM headers, and the tick-tick-tick sound is completely gone. It was definitely noticeable that the gasket that I removed was completely black on the rearmost cylinder, which I presume that's where the leak was coming from. Also a nice performance boost with the TM headers.

 

[Turdle]

Well, $200 each isn't bad IF that really is the problem...I'd hate to pay $400 especially to replace stock for stock only to find out that wasn't the issue.

Is there a way to test this?

You can replace it with the same thing, and end up with the same result down the road.
The Torquemonsters will pay for themselves in the long run. They will also reduce underhood temperature.

 

[rcpasq]

You can replace it with the same thing, and end up with the same result down the road.
The Torquemonsters will pay for themselves in the long run. They will also reduce underhood temperature.

Torque Monster Headers will be a big help in many areas. They work well with all OEM emissions equipment as well as modified Add-Ons. Give it some thought... $589 plus $35 shipping gets them to your door.

Check them out at: http://www.torquemonsterheaders.com
Also: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147452

 

[Papa]

Have someone rev engine while you listen under hood near passenger side
You'll hear it good
Also, you might be able to see obvious blackening from carbon around leaking area, although it might be under the heat shield.
I would bet mioney it's leaking, as it is a common problem.
check also that the egr tube ( from passenger side manifold up to throttle body elbow) isn't broken.

So that is the EGR tube being the stainless steel looking tube with sort of a bellows segment a couple of inches long probably with a crack in the bellows segment and a inch or so just forward of the firewall.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I have a set of cast iron manifolds off of my 2001 5.0 I would sell cheap. I would highly recommend the Torque Monsters, but if you don't have the cash, I have a cheaper alternative. I can get them to you for $80 for the pair.

 

[rtbrjason]

My 98 5.0 is making the same kind of sound until warmed up, and even then a slight ping like noise.

In my case, the manifold gasket is clearly broken on the driver side. Not taken a close look at the passenger side yet, but will probably be replacing both gaskets.

If I went with TM headers, do they mate right up to the stock exhaust?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Yes, the TM Headers bolt right up to the factory exhaust flanges. They are awesome.

 

['97 V8]

I wish i could buy TM headers, but thats a no go with my damn steering extension.

 

[Turdle]

[QUOTE='97 V8]I wish i could buy TM headers, but thats a no go with my damn steering extension.[/QUOTE]

?

 

['97 V8]

section said that the tmh wont work with a bodylift becuase of the steering extension thingie gets in the way. He has a custom shaft installed in his truck so they work.

 

[section525]

[QUOTE='97 V8]I wish i could buy TM headers, but thats a no go with my damn steering extension.[/QUOTE]

Custom shaft, man! Mine is workin out good. But Fusion has called dibs on it when I am done with it.

But seriously.. get a shaft off eBay or somewhere.. take it to a machine shop.. and have them extend it about 2.25" or so. They did mine for free.

 

[section525]

What happens is the big bulky steering extension that comes with the BL hits the header tube. The header is designed to have the shaft run a few inches below where it does with the BL. I have pics somewhere on here.

 

[gavin]

I have 90% of the problem solved. I'll be using the steering extension off a 3" F150 body lift kit. It is installed under the dash, so all the steering shaft stays slim and trim under the hood. So this would be an easy enough fix for the one or two people who happen to have V8 Explorers, with body lifts, who want to drop dough on these headers.

and then you had your shaft custom made? Or the extension was fabbed up anyway? Did the F150 extension not work?

 

[-=c=-]

I have a set of cast iron manifolds off of my 2001 5.0 I would sell cheap. I would highly recommend the Torque Monsters, but if you don't have the cash, I have a cheaper alternative. I can get them to you for $80 for the pair.

I'm going to check and see if that's what it is, and if so, I'll probably be sending you a PM...thanks!