Guys, I know that its not an f-150 but this seems to be the only place online that is even remotley close. I have a 1998 Navigator with about 112k, I had the oil changes saturday and around 8:00pm Sunday night I developed a "ticking" on the left side of the engine. It is a continious and very loud ticking that is present cold or warm tempratures. It seems to get louder after driving the vehicle for a while. Thing is the truck still drives and runs GREAT It just sounds horrible and it only started after an oil change! Once again please excuse my Navigator question but Im at wits end. Thanks so much for your help..

 

First thing I'd do if you haven't already is check your oil. If they didn't add enough oil sometimes you will here that ticking sound. Next thing is find out what kind of filter they used. Check to see if your leaking oil also. They may not have tightened the filter or oil pan nut and you could be leaking oil. I've had my oil changed before and they didn't put enough oil in, it was a quart and a half low and I experienced the same problem. Hope that helps!

 

Thanks Joe! I had them drain the oil and refil it. I looked at the filter as well as the plug and it looks ok. They put 6 quarts in. I know it has high mileage but its runs great but just sounds terrible. as it only happened about 8 hours after the oil was changed. Its loud, louder when I drive it for a while. During driving I cant hear it but when I come to a stop there it is again..

 

Check for an exhaust manifold leak. They sometimes make a ticking sound.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

JMC, could something have come loose when they changed my air filter ? I do notice a slight sucking sound when I give it gas that I had never heard before. Thanks!!!

 

What kind of engine? If it's a 5.4 or even possibly the 4.6l, you could have the tell tale signs of a loose spark plug. If that is the case, quit driving immediately and check those plugs. If that plug blows out, you could be looking at new heads to fix the problem.

 

Its the 5.4 I keep thinking the oil change had something to do with it but it could just a fluke. Its on the left side where the oil filler is. I can feel the "tick" in the engine when In place my hand on it. Thanks again! You guys are Great!!

 

Well guys a new issue has come up. My check engine light has come on but the truck still runs great.Now what?

 

No big deal, your PCM has detected the missfire, or exhaust leak (o2 reading). Get the code pulled and it will aid the diagnosis. I would also be very worried that you might have a loose plug.

 

adaycj, Thanks for the reply! Well this morning, Check engine light goes out. If the plug were looses would the truck still run fine? This seems like Im gonna have to make a trip to the dreaded dealer!

 

Hmmmm......diagnosis: New plugs and COP. Yes, if some plugs were loose or had blown out then the engine would not be running smooth. You'd know it.

 

Thanks for the reply Schmoe! Can you tell me what cop means. Please excuse my ignorance. Its easy to tell I just drive the vehicle and Im really not mechanically inclined. THANKS AGAIN!

 

That's the coil on plug. These engines are not like the ones we remember with a distributor, wires then plugs. The coil is actually on top of the plug. A friend of mine had the same problem that you did, exact problem. Changed the plugs only to find out that some of COP were going bad too. He had about 160K on his and they were all original cop and plugs. If your going that far as to replace the plugs and with that mileage, you should replace the COP's as well. They are not expensive. Plus, some members have had the COP crack when removing them.

 

Im with these guys--get out there and see if you have a loose plug. Check each one and make sure theyre tight. If its not a loose plug or a tick due to low oil level, im not sure what it could be. Good luck!

 

Thanks Green_98! Im gonna check the plugs when I get home today. The oild level still concernes me. It has 6 quarts in it I watched them put it in. The oil guage reads ok. Its just funny it started after the oil change.. Then the check engine light throws something else into the mix. It has gone off now but it was on for a reason. I thing a trip to a mechanic may be my best bet.