ticking noise

[geoffsgt]

Was cruising at 70 on the interstate tonight. I dropped it into 3rd and floored it. Everything was fine until just past 5000 RPM I started hearing a ticking noise coming from the front of the car. I tried again, with the same results. Sounds perfect until right after passing the 5000 RPM mark, then I got a slight ticking noise. Took the next exit, got on the on ramp, revved up all the way through 2nd with no ticking noise, then heard it again in 3rd, at the same RPM as the last 2 runs.

The ticking noise was very faint, and uneven. I would think if it was something wrong with the engine, it would be heard at a steady pace (in rhythm with the revs). It was kind of like bugs hitting the windshield or something, but that wasn't the case. I don't think it was the transmission either, because it sounded like it was coming from directly in front of me, almost like it was on the other side of the gauge cluster.

Anyone got any ideas? This isn't the dreaded "ticking" is it? Isn't that mainly on boosted cars?

Mods are in sig, nothing major done to the engine. I've never noticed this before, let alone since my last mod sometime last year.

 

[Smeech]

Does the speedometer cable on these cars make ticking noises when they go bad? On my old car (not the mustang) the speedometer made ticking noises before going out...and bugs to the window was a good way to explain the sound..

 

[the98stang]

It's prolly an exhaust leak or a lifter. Nothing to worry about.

I wouldn't take it past 5,000 rpm anyway. You can really jack up the engine over 5500.

 

[geoffsgt]

I guess...

I take it past 5000 down the track though, so I figured if somthing was wrong I better get it fixed.

 

[EPIK]

It's prolly an exhaust leak or a lifter. Nothing to worry about.

I wouldn't take it past 5,000 rpm anyway. You can really jack up the engine over 5500.

Dont GT's rev up to 6k though? I dont know about yall, but I bought my Stang because i occasionally like to drive fast. Screw that, I like to drive fast everyday. How could u "get on it" & not rev past 5k. Our 4.6's dont have much low end torque, so u gotta rev past 5k to feel the power.

Its been a long time since ive driven a 2V, so i cant remember where the powerband is, but i know my Mach doesnt even feel fast till about 4500 rpms. I think Ford made these motors strong enough to handle 5000 rpms.

As far as your ticking noise, i dunno. Sorry

 

[46gtsblown]

I am betting you were experiencing detonation.

Dwayne

 

[geoffsgt]

I am betting you were experiencing detonation.

Dwayne

From what? The engine is practically stock. I guess my CAI makes the air so cold and dense its like 14psi of boost...

No but really... is this really possible on a stock engine?

And why would it only happen in 3rd gear?

 

[46gtsblown]

Yes detonation can happen on a stock engine, 3rd gear full throttle = lots of engine load which increases your chance of detonation.
The CAI is worthless imo, the stock setup was a cai from the factory.

Dwayne

 

[scupking]

I get up to 6k a few times a day. Its a mustang, drive it.

 

[EPIK]

I get up to 6k a few times a day. Its a mustang, drive it.

Exactly. I get up to 6700k at least once everytime I drive my stang!!

 

[geoffsgt]

Yes detonation can happen on a stock engine, 3rd gear full throttle = lots of engine load which increases your chance of detonation.
The CAI is worthless imo, the stock setup was a cai from the factory.

Dwayne

I know exactly how worthless my CAI is, I was young and ignorant when I bought it for my first power mod. Everyone was doing it!!

Out of curiosity, how does increased load affect chances of detonation?

And I'd still appreciate some more opinions. So far 1 for possible damage, 1 against, and a bunch of people saying they love to rev way higher than that, but not really commenting on the noise I heard.

I guess at the end of this tank I'll fill up with 93 and see if it helps.

 

[04GTMustang]

yea if you are not running 93 octane now or atleast 89 then ur probably experiencing some detonation. Some stock GTs will ping on 87 from the factory. Ive been running 93 since my car had about 5k on it. If the stock GTs will ping on 87 and then you have all those air flow mods ur car is leaned out quite a bit so that would probably make you more likely to ping on 87 run some 93 and it should clear up.

 

[geoffsgt]

Lol dammit... I have been running 93 since I bought the car 3 years ago. It wasn't until recently that gas prices plus seeing a bunch of posts about "if your car doesn't require 93 it's a waste to use it" made me change. Honestly, I can afford it, I just wanted to save some dough.

I guess its back to 93 for me then.

 

[Tripoli]

Exactly. I get up to 6700k at least once everytime I drive my stang!!

I've got stock internals and see 6500 pretty much daily. She's got 100,000 miles now with no problems.