My engine has started making a ticking noise. It can't be heard at idle but when you start to move the noise gets progressively louder as long as I am on the gas or climbing a hill. There is no loss of power and my fuel mileage has increased (mostly because I am trying not to stress the engine). It is coming from the passenger side of the engine. Any ideas of what this could be??? I'm thinking an exhaust leak since I had headers put on 3-4 months ago.

I have this question in pre-1997 and dvldog mentioned a emissions component that looks like a C battery that could be the cause but I haven't been able to locate that as of yet.

Sorry for the long post but I am starting to worry about the noise. Thanks for any ideas in advance!!!


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'96 F-150 302
Hedman Hedders, Catco Cat., Gibson Super Truck, K&N F.I.P.K.

 

I'm thinking exhaust leak also.
You could take a long screwdriver or something of that sort also. put the tip on the engine and then put your ear on the hadle. Move it around until you think you founf the noise.


The truck:
Teal 1997 XLT flareside with 4.6L, auto tranny, electronic shift on the fly, 3.55LS and 4x4 ORP.

Performance mods:
Gen. 2 K&N FIPK
Superchip(removed until further notice)
True dual exhaust exiting out the back
2.5" pipe with 18" glasspacks and 18"x4" round chrome slash cut tips

Appearance:
White face gauges
Euro clear corners
01L headlights
Covercraft tonneau cover
Billet pedals
16" Modern© wheels
265/75r16 Wild Country Radial TXR tires
Factory tinted rear windows
Bug deflector
Euro clear corners

Sound system:
Clarion ADX5655z Double Din Cassette & CD
4 Pioneer TS-A6865 speakers

Other:
Bedliner
Bulldog keyless entry/remote start

n6260k@cs.com



<A HREF="http://www.f150world.com/v8speeddemon" TARGET=_blank>www.f150world.com/v8speeddemon </A>

[This message has been edited by King James (edited 06-03-2001).]

 

I had the same problem but it didn't get louder as I drove, or it could have just been drowned out. I too thought exhaust leak but it turned out to be a clogged catalytic converter. I have no idea how long it was cloged, I just had a lot better power when it was fixed. This is on a 99 5.4.

 

I had a similar problem also. My engine sounded like the lifters ticking. The engine in my truck would begin "ticking" just before the transmission would change to the next gear. The dealership said I had an excessive buildup of carbon in the EGR valve. They replaced it an every thing was fine. Two weeks later I had the same problem. This time they replaced the idler pulley and belt. That was 8 months ago and 10,000 miles and I have had no further problems.

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1999 Ext. Cab Lariat Flareside
Dark Toreador Red (solid)
4.6L, 3.55, 4x2
Window Tint
Factory Foglight Kit
Class III Hitch
K&N Filter
Tuff Liner Bedliner
Shadow Bug Shield
WISH LIST
Dual Exhaust (Flowmaster)
Pulley Set

 

I have a problem along those same lines:

I get a "ticking" noise from the engine-area, that I can't completely pinpoint. It sounds like the normal expansion and contraction of the exhaust pipe, but MUCH louder. It occurs for a minute after startup, and thereafter when the exhaust temperature changes (e.g. during accelerating or decelerating).

I'm lead to believe that something in the exhaust is causing the problem, and is temperature related. However, I've been underneath the truck when the noise occurs, but can't pinpoint the area.

Any suggestions?

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VENOM 99

• Y2K F-150 SuperCab XLT 4x4
• 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS ORP, Trailer Tow
• Extang BlackMax tonneau
• BedRug
• Alpine CDM-7857 CD/Receiver
• Cobra 18 WX ST Weatherband CB Radio
• envious of those with the chrome steel 5-spoke factory wheels

 

I still think mine is a small exhaust leak. My exhaust system is all new except for the muffler and tailpipes. I've tried to re-torque the header bolts but I can barely reach then and the socket wall seems to thick to fit between the bolt and the header pipes in some places.

------------------
'96 F-150 302
Hedman Hedders, Catco Cat., Gibson Super Truck, K&N F.I.P.K.

 

Any other ideas???

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'96 F-150 302
Hedman Hedders, Catco Cat., Gibson Super Truck, K&N F.I.P.K.

 

My '97 F-150 is doing the same thing.
It makes a LOUD ticking sound as the exhaust heats up/cools down and sounds like a rattling can when you give it the gas (until it warms up [10 - 15 minutes]). I've been under it 100 times and can't nail it down -- seem to think it's coming from somewhere between the passenger side header and the Y-pipe.

SOMETHING WIERD:: I (me/myself/and I) installed my Borla cat-back and have retightened the nuts, tightened the various heat shield bolts, but none of my sockets fit the stock Ford nuts on the rest of the exhaust system (clamps, header-to-exhaust connection). Aren't they the same nuts that I took off my factory cat-back when I installed the Borla?????? I've tried metric & standard sizes. Only one socket seems to fit, but when I go to turn it it just slips around. I don't want to press the issue, as I don't want to round off my nuts (sounds painful!).

Any ideas?
I'd take it to Ford, but it's out of warranty and I'm sure it'll cost me about $150+ just for them to tell me thay can't find anything wrong!!

=====================================
'97 F150 4X4 Xcab Stepside
5 spd/4.6L/3.55 LS
Borla Cat-Back
K&N Filter
BIG-BAD & BLACK!


[This message has been edited by kaywt (edited 06-21-2001).]

[This message has been edited by kaywt (edited 06-21-2001).]

[This message has been edited by kaywt (edited 06-21-2001).]

 

I have 99 5.4 that has been supercharged. I also have a ticking noise. It sounds to me like a collapsed lifter. My truck is still under warranty. Anyone have any suggestions about how to get Ford to look at it without immediately screaming "supercharger"? I'm in Houston, any good dealers here? The noise is constant and has been this way for at least a year.

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99 SC 4X4 5.4 ORP 3.73LS Lariat Black over Gold on Tan.
Mods-Powerdyne Supercharged,Superchip,Dual Flowmasters,Westin Nerf Bars, 305/70/16 GY M/T's, Extang Black Max Tonneau

 

I finally found the problem.. I thought I had blew out the header gasket. Wrong..

The connection between the header and Y-pipe on the passenger side had come loose and the gasket was shreadded. New gasket. Tightened the bolts and problem solved..



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'96 F-150 302
Hedman Hedders, Catco Cat., Gibson Super Truck, K&N F.I.P.K.