Tapping on 97 5.0 engine with only 40K miles

[LAWDOGKMS]

I bought a 97 Eddie Bauer with the 5.0, and 45k miles on it.

The truck was a cadillac, until recently I noticed a tapping sound in the carport on startup, that can also be heard while accelerating through the firewall if the radio isn't on, and the a/c isn't on full blast.

The tapping increases with engine speed...

I thought I had a mint condition vehicle, and now I have another headache.

Any ideas on what to look for?

The engine bay is pretty packed, and it's hard to see anything.

My guess is exhaust leak?

Any opinions?

If it is exhaust, and idea as to how much it will cost me to get it fixed?

 

[HuiDaddy]

DUDE, my family has just started hearing that sound. its not really a tapping is it? in my 98 xlt 5.0L, its more like a clicking... and when i press the gas, it'll go click click click even more as my speed increases. i THINK it might have something to do with the valve springs in the car. you know how the valves open to let the exhaust air out, and the clean air in... i read it somewhere awhile ago. i already have 54,400 miles on it, and it always does that. it stops when the engine gets to normal operating temperature. i should let the car start before drivin away... maybe that will help. but dude, dont think you are goin crazy, if you are, so am i cause i hear the "voices", err... the clicking too!!!

 

[bluescat]

That's a 302 CID?

There are a more than a few things this sound can be. In the old days you could pour a little oil in through the valve cover, if it shut up then you knew you had a problem in the valve train. Another place to look might be to the drive belt and all of the sundry things connected to it, like the idler tension arm. How long after you start the engine does the clicking disappear? If it's the valve train it should quiet down almost immediately as the oil reaches it's post, if it's longer it could be something that takes engine heat/expansion to quiet.

 

[Brian97V8]

A few quick Q's

1. does the sound get louder when you press on the gas?
2. does it get louder under strain?

I had a similar noise on mine about 3 months ago. Turned out the dealer had to replace the ERG or EGR valve. Anyway there was a small exaust leak in it. The truck was kinda under warrantee, miles not months. I paid $50 for a new one but I know the dealer cut me a deal. Any way since I got it fixed no other problems.

 

[CougarX]

I know this an old thread but my Explorer is making the same noise. It only does it under a load and it sounds a whole lot like valve tap. It's done it very lightly since i've bought it but its starting to get louder. My truck is under warranty but i've already had it in twice in the last 6 months. I don't really want to pay the $100 deductable again.

Anyone have this problem and fix it?? Thanks.

 

[james t]

it is a lifter. mine has 95k miles and it does it. i have two other friends with 5.0 X's and they do it to. ford used a substandard lifter design. it is loudest at start up and eventually gets quieter as engine temp. rises. i dont know why, but it seems all 5.0 X's have this problem starting at 30-60k miles. i didnt buy mine new, but 2 friends did. dealer told one that it was because he used Mobil 1 and you cant use synthetic oil on a roller motor. (BULLSH*T!!!) dealer would not warranty repair. different dealer told friend #2 that they all did it and it was just a sign that the motor had finally broken in. (BULLSH*T AGAIN!!!) to find out if it really is a lifter, pour in a quart of really thick engine oil treatment. (i used Motor-Honey). if it gets quieter, or goes away for a few days, than it was a lifter. if you plan on replacing them, do not use original ford lifters. i just ordered Comp Cams lifters (and a new cam). i think they were $150. i know this sounds high, but roller lifters are expensive.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Check the EGR hose for a leak. Someone recently posted that they had a ticking from their 5.0 and it was a pinhole in the EGR tube. Hopefully it's something nice and simple like that.......

 

[Scormunch]

Ok, I'm just reviving another really old thread, but I finally found my own clicking noise... I've had clicking troubles of my own, and just when I was starting to get used to it, my whole EGR tube cracked wide open last week. Before, the clicking went away within a few minutes of startup, but now it stays regardless of how long the engine is running, and there's a hissing/slight clicking even on idle. My dealer just fixed it for $120... finally I'm rid of the noise

 

[explorer82184]

how did he fix it what did he replace for 120$??

 

[WitchCityMounty]

I know I'm digging up an old dead and beaten horse but I have a dumb question. The EGR tube is under pressure, just like the headers right? So should I be able to see and feel a leak by putting my hand over and around it? I have the clicking and was trying to find it, to no avail. I noticed with the engine idling, the headers got hot very quickly (duh) but the EGR tube did not, in fact it stayed very cold. Would that indicate a bad EGR valve? Could the valve itself be the culprit for the clicking? Thanks

 

[35Remmy]

Hmmm...Our 2000 Explorer 5.0 has 218,000 miles on her, never ran anything but good 'ol Valvoline 10W30. Substandard lifters? BS. Those lifters are as solid as anything out there.

It does have an exhaust manifold leak that clicks slightly, but it's not hurting anything.

 

[hazmat456]

mind sounds like it clicks through the pasanger side floorboard but quickley goes away as the engine heats up I just figured a warped or lose header manafold I haven't tried to get in there to try to tighten the header bolts yet scaired I guess might break one off, if it starts to stick around longer maybe I'll try.