This morning, my 5.4L truck exhibited a low pitch ticking noise while at idle. This is the first time I have noticed the noise. Is this normal? The truck has about 88,000 miles on the engine.

Jeff

 

my 4.6l has ticked from the day i got it. located on passenger side by the pcv valve.

 

Could be piston slap, valves, or injectors. I think most common is injectors. I'm convinced I quieted my injectors down when I cleaned them, as they don't make any noise at all now.

I'm working with a friend who has determined that his truck's ticking noise is from noisey injectors. He is goint to clean his injectors as I did and see if it quiets down the same way.

I used two highly recommended products for cleaning varnish out of a fuel system, Schaeffer's Neutra 131 and Lube Control's Fuel Power. I ran the neutra by itself for a few months, then started mixing it with Fuel Power. I now add 2 oz of this brew every time I fill up.

 

Greencrew:

I'll give the injectors a dose of cleaner this weekend. Several posts I just searched have indicated to check the spark plugs. Evidently over time the plugs become loose and need to be retighted. Some have even had problems with blow out plugs if not caught soon enough. I'll check the plugs as well.

Thanks

 

Yep, definitely check those plugs. That's one lesson you don't want to learn the hard way. I'd actually pull any of the suspect ones and inspect them for insulator separation from the metal housing.

 

Yes, definitely check your plugs to make sure they are tight.

My truck started clicking and my friend said oh it's probably just an exhaust leak or valves... 2 months later my truck spit out a plug and ripped the threads in the head.

 

Yes, I forgot to include the spark plugs, and it's important to check them.

 

I have a ticking too. I really noticed right after installing the Magnacharger. I assumed the worst. Using an auto stethoscope allowed me to determine it was two injectors making the noise. Everything sounded ok. The stethoscope is a handy tool.

 

how did you clean the injectors? Just cleaner in the gas or did you take them out?