Ticking Sound (no, it's not the exhaust.)

[Trolling]

I have this ticking sound that mimics an exhaust leak that increases with engine speed which is also noticeable under load that I cannot figure out the source.

Here is what I know:

What it is NOT:
- Not an exhaust leak (Remflex gaskets on Torque Monster Headers, no leaks on any flanges)
- Not the EGR tube. No leaks there
- No leaks seen via a smoke test up the tail pipe

Extra info:
- Vehicle is a 97 5.0 V8 with 140,000+ miles on it
- New Spark Plugs, properly torqued and gapped
- 6 month old Taylor spark plug wires
- Recently changed oil (Mobil1 5W-30 Full synth. + Motorcraft Filter)

Any ideas on what it is? After thinking that it was the TMH manifold not sealing up, I replaced them 3 times and the sound/ticking is still there.

Could it be lifter noise? <if so, how do i fix that?

Thanks!

>>>>>

PS: At redline, the engine sounds like its going to fall apart, sort of like valve float noise..

 

[lounge lizard]

I have the same leak!

at the rear of the motor is a pipe that runs to the passenger side exhaust manifold somewhere. and it links up somewhere under the intake.

now I was told that the pipe rots out behind the intake and starts to tick,tick,tick sound when the motor revs up and on load

 

[Trolling]

That's the EGR tube.

If you have stock manifolds, there is a probability that yours might be leaking at that spot.


In my case, I have TMH and an EGR tube that is modified to fit. There are no leaks at my exhaust system yet i hear a ticking sound.

 

[lounge lizard]

yea! that tube.

or could it be the egr valve it's self ?

there is a video on one of the threads that shows it on a 4.0 making a ticking sound.



are thoses headers in the frame? dam! I wanna do some headers too. just couldn't see the room for them.

any pictures you could share with us?

 

[SouthernBelle]

Like the poster above I was gonna say it could be the head. When I got mine the boy said there was a vac. leak. Took it to a friend and it turns out it is the head that needs to be replaced.

Also what type engine is it? Mine is the SOHC and I was told, after I had the truck looked at, that you cannot adjust the lifters on that engine you have to replace the head. Because the ticking noice in my truck is coming from a lifter but my engine guy said that they can not be adjusted on the SOHC engine and I have to replace the head.

 

[95LimtedExplorer]

I had a ticking noise on my 4.0 about a year or two ago, and I replaced the plugs and plug wires and the sound went away. And the plugs were fairly new, only a year old. The plug wires were 15+ years old. Now the only sound I get from time to time is the water pump chirp.

 

[lounge lizard]

we both are running the v-8 5.0 motor. that is why I am watching this thread to see what I can do to stop mine from making the same noise.

I don't think it is the heads because we have adjustable lifters. now that doesn't mean it can't be a lifter! but I'm leaning toward something else is going on in these v-8's

 

[Trolling]

are thoses headers in the frame?

Are you asking if the exhaust headers go into the frame? If you are interested in getting aftermarket headers, here's the vendor's website: http://www.torquemonsterheaders.com/

Like the poster above I was gonna say it could be the head.

Also what type engine is it?

Also did a vac test and only found one minor leak at a small hose connection point that was immediately taken care of.

My engine is a 5.0L 302 cubic inch V8 MFI (P) OHV. The lifters on my engine can be replaced by itself based on the local Chilton/Haynes Manual and the Ford Service CD.

I replaced the plugs and plug wires and the sound went away.

I checked the wires and replaced the plugs as stated in my first post so those are now ruled out in my situation.

 

[Trolling]

bump!

 

[Miglater]

Quick solution to avoid speculation. Go into your local parts store and have a look in the tools section for a stethescope, looks just like the doctors use when they listen to your lungs, heart etc. Only difference is this one has long rod on the end so u can touch it to various parts of the motor and find where the sound is loudest. The rod can even be removed from the tube to help find vacuum leaks etc. I got mine for $15 and it's worth it's weight in gold.

 

[Trolling]

Quick solution to avoid speculation. Go into your local parts store and have a look in the tools section for a stethescope, looks just like the doctors use when they listen to your lungs, heart etc. Only difference is this one has long rod on the end so u can touch it to various parts of the motor and find where the sound is loudest. The rod can even be removed from the tube to help find vacuum leaks etc. I got mine for $15 and it's worth it's weight in gold.

I have one.

Source and intensity of the sound (ticking) is not consistent enough to determine a specific location.

 

[yavapaires]

OK I am new to this site. Please excuse any mistakes. Bought a 96 Xplorer 4.0 V6 with 141000 on it last week. Dealer thought engine was blown up. Ticking noise, I think lifter noise. Got out trusty stehtescope, surprise, noise loudest at exhaust manifold/EGR valve area. Could it be the EGR valve? Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[Trolling]

OK I am new to this site. Please excuse any mistakes. Bought a 96 Xplorer 4.0 V6 with 141000 on it last week. Dealer thought engine was blown up. Ticking noise, I think lifter noise. Got out trusty sthetescope, surprise, noise loudest at exhaust manifold/EGR valve area. Could it be the EGR valve? Any suggestions appreciated.

The egr might be the source of your ticking/noise based on what you have posted, but don't take my word for it.

Bump!

 

[lounge lizard]

so what would make the EGR valve tick?

 

[Carguy3J]

Like the poster above I was gonna say it could be the head. When I got mine the boy said there was a vac. leak. Took it to a friend and it turns out it is the head that needs to be replaced.

Also what type engine is it? Mine is the SOHC and I was told, after I had the truck looked at, that you cannot adjust the lifters on that engine you have to replace the head. Because the ticking noice in my truck is coming from a lifter but my engine guy said that they can not be adjusted on the SOHC engine and I have to replace the head.

If you have the SOHC 4.0L, then the noise is more likely to be the timing chain, due to worn tensioners/guides. It is a very well known issue w/ the SOHC V6. It does not indicate a bad head, or lifters. The front timing components can be done w/ the engine in the vehicle. The rear timing set usually requires pulling the motor out though. I would suggest finding another mechanic; at least for a second opinion.
Now, if you actually have an OHV-4.0L (The older version of the 4.0L Cologne engine.) Then, yes, they are known for developing noisy lifters. However, it doesn't require replacing the head(s). The lifters can be replaced separately. In some cases it may be possible to simply clean and reinstall them.

...............

My engine is a 5.0 V8 OHC. The lifters on my engine can be replaced by itself based on the local Chilton/Haynes Manual and the Ford Service CD.
.............

I don't know if it was just a typo, or what, but you do not have an OHC(Over Head Cam)- 5.0L, unless you have a one-of-a-kind prototype that somebody sneaked out of Ford's R&D dept. What you have is an OHV (Over Head Valve) 5.0L. This "conventional" style motor is also referred to as a "cam-in-block" because, like the small block Chevy V8 and many other motors, the cam is in the block. On OHC motors (which can be SOHC or DOHC, single or dual cams), the cams are in/on the cylinder heads.

As for your noise, it is a very difficult thing to diagnose over the internet; especially once the most common cause is eliminated. I can't hear the sound, so it's just a guess. (Don't bother w/ some cheesy, youtube sound clip. It's not the same as being there.)
However, you might be hearing a lifter noise, as that will change w/ rpm and load. It could also be the injectors. Some are louder than others, and one that is going bad can be really loud. You could also have an internal engine problem, such a s a wiped cam lobe, or a loose/stretched timing chain, or worn rod/main bearings (load and rpm would definitely change that kind of noise.)
Going back to the exhaust; are you SURE you don't have a small, even a pinhole, leak somewhere? It doesn't have to be at the headers. Check the whole exhaust, carefully looking at every joint and weld. Also check the seams around the entire muffler. A tiny hole/leak somewhere in the system can sometimes sound like it's coming from somewhere else. Look for the telltale carbon/black streaking. That's a sure sign of an exhaust leak.

 

[yavapaires]

Thanks Trolling I have not personally ever had a "ticking" noise from an EGR valve, but, there could be a first time. I find these forums interesting, and am always learning something. Gary

 

[Trolling]

I don't know if it was just a typo, or what, but you do not have an OHC(Over Head Cam)- 5.0L, unless you have a one-of-a-kind prototype that somebody sneaked out of Ford's R&D dept. What you have is an OHV (Over Head Valve) 5.0L.

Yep, typo.. previous post corrected to: 5.0L 302 cubic inch V8 MFI (P) OHV

unless you have a one-of-a-kind prototype that somebody sneaked out of Ford's R&D dept.

I'm not that lucky.

As for your noise, it is a very difficult thing to diagnose over the internet; especially once the most common cause is eliminated. I can't hear the sound, so it's just a guess.

That's why I started this thread, to bounce ideas and get guesses to help the diagnosis.

Going back to the exhaust; are you SURE you don't have a small, even a pinhole, leak somewhere?

yes, I am SURE.

I'm leaning toward the noisy lifters as being the cause. But i'm still open for suggestions/guesses to try out so keep 'em coming.