I'm trying to diagnose a clicking, or ticking noise on my truck. Here's what I got:

- it's a steady ticking noise, up front;
-it is only noticed at idle;
-it only happens when the truck is fully warmed up;
-the truck runs great;

Since it doesn't happen all the time, and doesn't get louder under load, etc., I'm ruling out an exhaust leak. Since my water pump and drive belt are brand new (replaced this week), I am ruling out the water pump.

My oil pressure is fine.

Can it be a sticky or bad lifter?

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

yeh lifter noise.. what type of oil do you use?. i switched to mobile 1 full synthetic the extended performance stuff and i changed it when it got dirty like ur suppose to. because it cleans the engine out. after the oil change the lifter noise went away and mine only occured during cold start. but lifter noise is common wear. u can have em replaced but its usual cause is poor lubrication from oil sludge build up.

 

Several people who had plugs blow out on 5.4's noticed a lifter or clicking noise just before the plugs blew out. It just happened to me. I had a lifter noise a week or two before the plug blew out.

Remove and retorque your plugs, or replace them. If the noise goes away fine you just saved yourself a huge, major problem. If the noise is still there you eliminated one possiblility and your not out much.

Good Luck!