what the hell is the ticking diesle type noise coming from just about any 4.2 ihave been in. on my trucks i never notice it unless and especialy when in a drive through or my garage.

i know i have seen ppl say it just makes that noise but i dont think thats true. there got to be somthing thats doing it and i just cant seem to pin point it . when i turn the air off it ither goes away or just gets to quite to hear over the fan. i'm nto sure which.

it sounds like maybe its coming from the driver side area
if anyone has found this i would love to know about it

BTW i have a 1998 4.2 xlt 2x4 supercab
and 1999 4.2 xlt 2x4 super cab
both with over 100000 miles

 

i have that tick too. what the heck is it

 

fuel injectors likely. Mine does it too. Sounds like a sewing machine or something.

 

I have the same ticking noise. Had it since new and its gotten slightly louder after 60,000 miles. I've spent some time investigating it and while the injectors make a nice rythmic ticking noise all themselves, I beleive it is and exhaust tick. On my cross pipe connection there is spot where there is black soot, which I think is the culprit. Other than that it could be bad lifters, but I think by now I would have lost the engine.

 

Nice call crashz. I've noticed that black soot at the y-pipe too, where the exhaust pipes connect. It may be an exhaust leak sound that resonates from that area. I think that is the sound your hearing. Take a look and see if you see any black soot around the y-pipe, where the two manifold pipes connect.

 

I think crashz has got it right - at least the exhaust leak theory. I've got 39k miles on mine and it has the "tick". It's more noticeable when the engine is under load and I do have soot around the y-pipe connection in the center of the truck. I can even see condensation water leak from that spot when the engine is first running. I have inspected it and there is a definate hole or notch where the pipes join. I wonder if it's supposed to be there - to let the water drain? I think I'm gonna wrap that area with some high temp stainless steel tape and see if that stops the "tick".

 

I noticed the ticking on the 2001 I just bought. I also noticed that the starter seems noisy too! It really does sound like a diesel when it starts. Maybe it's just me though. I just came from a Miata to my F150 so it is taking some getting used to.

 

well i have come to the conclusion that it just how it sounds.

i went to four ford dealers and every one of them said its on most of the v6's they have and even went out to the lot and started several of them up and most of them had it. then at the last ford dealer one of the service guys even had a ford tech bulletin on the problem and saying that its normal noise for the engine and that it is in the belt system. i already knew it was coming from that becasue with air off it goes away but then you turn the wheel and it comes back. so that told me it must be only when there is a load on the belt and pully system . the tech memo said that it has been traced to the drive pully and is considered normal for this engine. i called litterly dozens of shops as well and noone has ever found a fix for it but they all knew exactly what i was talknig about
kinda sucks but atleast now i know i dont have to worry about it.

guess i'll have to get a louder exhaust and turn the radio up lol

 

Thanks ampresearch!

Good to know that we were on the wrong path. I wonder if a Gatorback belt would make a difference? Pulleys?

Hmm... Looks like its time for some mods!