Hello, I have a 2001 Supercrew with 89,000 miles on it. K&N cold air intake, true dual exhaust with gotts 02 sensor mod, otherwise completely stock. When the engine is up to operating temperature and I have driven somewhere and then I shut it off for a few minutes (to fill up gas for example) and then I start it back up it will make a chirping/tapping noise from the top passenger side of the engine. Its not the belt (brand new gates serpentine belt) and all of the pulleys are good. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you

 

possibly your spark plugs are working loose, at almost 90k i would change them anyways, but if that is it, it needs to be address immediately that ticking is the ticking of the time bomb before a spark plug gets shot out of the head. at minimum tighten them all down to spec

 

Factory spec is too loose - use 28 ft/lb.

 

I changed the sparkplugs myself at 72K and tightened them to around that 28ft lbs mark. I will check them though, just in case one worked loose. Anything else you guys would think it could be if it is not the plugs?

 

Tonight I checked all of the plugs and they are all as tight as the day I put them in. I changed the belt tensioner and idler pully also. No real change. Im thinking it may possibly be the alternator. With about 90k on it, it wouldn't really suprise me if it was on its way out.

 

Any chance you took the tension off the belt when you checked the pulleys? Not trying to be facetious, just maybe something ya overlooked?

 

Any signs of loosing antifreeze on that side of the engine. mine was making similar sounds when antifreeze was leaking into one cylinder. Does it go away after a few seconds when you start it?

 

What brand oil filter are you using? Some brands will allow oil drain back so when you start the engine it takes a few seconds to establish oil pressure and engine noise is generated during that period. Have you tried removing the serp belt and starting the engine? No noise with the belt off could be an indication one of the FEAD components is going bad. That would help you narrow your search down a little. Also an exhaust manifold leak could make the same type noise. Good luck.

 

The plugs are all tightened to the factory specs, ran with the belt removed and still made the noise, no signs of loosing antifreeze. I still can't find the noise and other suggestions guys?

 

Im having this same situation! Ive been told it was an exhaust leak, sticky valve, loose plug... but I havent found anything yet...

 

If the issue is only at start up, remove the drive belts and start it. See if it goes away. A bad tensioner bearing will make that sound if it has sat for a few hours.

Video's with good sound always helps if you have the chance.

 

mine makes this noise even after its been turned off and started right back up..

 

I have still been investigating this noise. Its not an exhaust manifold leak, it is not the power steering pump, not the water pump, not the alternator, not the tensioner or idler, not a plug or coil, PCV valve has a good vacuum suction at idle and rattles freely. The noise only occurs after the engine is up to operating temp and it is shut off and started back up in 10 minutes or more. Noise only occurs at idle-1500 RPM, then it goes away but will sometimes come back at idle and other times it will not come back at all. The noise sounds almost like a ball in a spray paint can and is very intermittent and not constant and sounds like it is coming from the passenger top side of the engine. Anyone have any idea? I hate engine noises that shouldn't be there! Thanks

 

I found where mines making the sound, turns out it is an exhaust leak but not manifold gaskets, Its leaking from the connection to the cats. Mine had a missfire for quite sometime before I bought it so I am thinking the cats are rather plugged up on the passenger side. If you let it idle for awhile even after driving it, does the chirpping come back? Have you had someone else rev it up for you while you poke around or just pulling the throttle cable?

 

Well, I hate to say it, but I found the noise. It appears to be an exhaust leak, it is either the connection to the cats, or the manifold is cracked on the passenger side rear cylinder where I can't see it. I can feel the hot air being pushed out of it when cold and fully warmed up. Good thing I am already planning to do longtubes!