I am posting this question for a friend of mine who just bought a 2002 Lightning from a Dodge dealership. The truck has 32,000 miles and already has a pulley and chip. At first, we thought it was a slight exhaust leak from one of the manifolds but it turns out that it's not that. This sound happens mainly at idle and is very constant. It isn't loud or quiet. He thought that maybe it could be a loud fuel injector tick. I think he said that it goes away around 1,200 rpm's. I don't know what to tell him. Any ideas? Thanks

 

check them spark plugs!

 

Does it have aftermarket idlers?Checking the plugs is definately recomended though.

 

What do I look for when checking the plugs? What could cause this tick if a plug was bad?

 

You will want to check for a loose plug. The 99 thru 02 heads only have 4 threads per plug as opposed to the improved 03-04. The ticking you describe could very well be a loose plug.

 

I agree its got to be the a plug. Mine sounded just like an exhaust leak. I caught it the first time. The second time it blew out of the head removing all the threads!

 

Don't wait around for this, you'll launch a plug

 

my buddy is complaining of fuel injector tick on his crown victoria

--Russ

 

Don't drive it untill you check the plugs! Don't even start it!

 

yep, mine blew on start up

 

Like everyone else says...check the plugs!

I had the same problem...found a slightly loose plug. The noise went away and it actually seemed to run smoother.

 

Same here. I caught a loose plug, just in time.

 

Too thick/high viscosity oil not allowing the cam chains to adjust........causing a 'clatter' sound

Dan

 

It is definately a loose plug. Check all of them IMEDIATELY!!!!

 

since nobody mentioned this yet...

maybe you should check the spark plugs???

--Russ

PS. I predict the next three threads that will follow will suggest something related to spark plugs too... tell your buddy good luck, and just check 'em!