i have a '97 4.2L and i have a slight tick or tapping sound coming from my engine. there are a couple other threads here that sound like a similar problem but not quite the same. sometimes the tick is really loud, sometimes its barely noticable and sometimes its gone completely. its most noticable when accelerating hard. i dont think there is any performance loss its just really annoying and i would like to fix the noise. i think it might be the lifters but i'm reading that mabe the injectors?? anything you got will help me out. let me know if you need more information. thanks.

 

I've heard sticking lifters, so to fix a bit, use some Lucas oil stabilizer treatment and that shouls cure it. I'm also wondering if going to a non-detergent SAE 30 oil would help, or adding some break in lube, but I'd try the Lucas first.

 

Non-detergent 30 weight is the WORST thing you can do to that engine. Use a high detergent 5W20 or 5W30 with a quality filter and change it every 3k. If you think the lifters may be sticking due to sludge or varnish, this will *gradually* clean them up.

 

i dont think there would be any sludge or anything there. i re-built the engine only 15k ago. i have 5W30 in it now.

 

The 4.2 doesn't have the spark plug blowout problem, but you should check yours to make sure they are tight.

 

exhaust leak? they vary with the temperature.

 

is there any way it could be that push rods are bent? the engine failed due to a hydro-lock and i imagine that would stress them quite a bit

 

I have the 5.0, and am having the same issues. Sometimes it is really loud and sometimes not even noticeable. I thought it was my alternator, or air pump, or valves. Now I am wondering if it could be the timing chain. It is definatly coming from the passesger side.

 

sounds like you might benefit from the ol' screwdriver to ear trick. If you don't know- touch the screwdriver to the timing chain cover and put your ear to the other end with the engine running. Is the noise coming from there? Repeat step in all other areas that might involve the "tapping." (i.e. valve cover) Now, while I won't say it couldn't be, i kind of doubt the timing chain would be bad, you'd have a whole different list of problems.

 

Hello, I have an F150 truck, I-6`, I just cured a noise that sounded like what you describe. if your only hearing the noise under load, check your U-joints on the drive shaft. one of my bearing caps with small needle bearings went dry on the front joint. I do have a tick tick tick I think on the lower end - not loud. goes away after a while. and the valve rattle when I first start it in the morning. gonna try marvel mystery fluid, see what happens.
good luck with yours.
Don

 

I have a 1997 F-150 with what sounds like the same problem. Its a ticking noise (almost sounds like its coming from the timing cover) that only happens when I punch it mostly up a hill. Its hardly noticeable until I hit about 3200rpm then she really starts to tick. No noticeable difference in performance but I usually back off because I am afraid it will blow up on me haha. I had the same problem with a miled out 4.6L engine and my dads 98 Ranger does the exact same thing. Almost sounds like a bouncing timing chain to me...