Tick tick tick tick...

Skud

Member
Sep 10, 2003
493
0
17
Saskatchewan
So, over the past year or so I've been getting this "tick tick tick tick" while cruising at very light throttle. Within the last month or so it has become markedly worse.

The tick is most pronounced at just under 1500rpm and just under 2000rpm. Outside that range, the sound is still there, but not nearly as loud.. While in that range it echoes off the walls of my garage and I can hear it out my driver's side window cruising at 35mph.

I originally thought it was a plug working its way out, so I checked them and they were all perfectly tight.

The sound was there before I installed my headers. I thought it might be an exhaust leak, but it's still there after the header install and it has more of a solid "click" to it rather than the airy "pfft" or "tssst" of an exhaust leak.

The engine has ~60,000 miles on it.

I've tried to capture the sound with both my cell phone and digital camera, but neither have the frequency response to pick up the higher frequencies of the tick so it sounds really muffled..

Thoughts? I know these are very hard to diagnose over the internet, but maybe someone has the exact same symptoms..

Riley
 
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:hail2: I have what I believe is the exact same problem. The only thing is. you said you hear it off the walls of your garage? That means it makes the noise when it is in park? Becuase when I rev in park it does not make the noise, only at times when you described otherwise. I will pass a car or something and it's like it echoes off of it extremely loud. I kinda always heard it before i put my exhaust on, but Once I put my c/b and midpipe it really amplified the noise. It sound like an exhaust leak tick somewhat but only under load for me, not when reving in park as I said before. Since I used my stock manifold gasket when I put on the exhaust, I thought it was just slightly leaking, so I had it changed. No luck... still does it. Someone recommended possibly the tensioner isn't applying enough pressure. I really have no idea though. It's starting to get on my nerves. I really think we might have similar problems becuase your spot on with how you tried to describe the noise and times of occurance minus being in the garage. Do you have 5spd or auto?

BTW i have auto 03 gt 60k roughly also just changed the plugs about 2 months ago
 
Don't quote me on this one but It sounds like its just the normal operation of your injectors stock injectors use an on off spray so the clicking is just the valve opening and then closing over time they make a bit more noise than when they are new.
 
Check your spark plugs. I bet one of them is slowly backing out. Install new plugs while you're at it, and torque them to 13lbs.

If it's not the plugs, it could be an exhaust leak, or something in the valve train.
 
Ticking, especially ticking that is described as "getting louder", can be a loose plug getting ready to blow out as the98stang said.

If a plug is loose and you do not take immediate corrective action you will be sorry.
 
Thanks for the advice on the plugs guys. I did change them a while ago and didnt torque them, becuase I dont have a torque wrench. Just did the old fashion tightening down. Ill check to see if that is that case in my situation, becuase It did seem to start occurring shortly after I changed them.

Every morning recently when I go to start my car it starts up real hesitently. Seems like only in the morning. Then after wards it's pretty much good starting every time throughout the day. Does this make sense that it could be the plug slowly working out or is that just probably something esle. I recently changed fuel filter too.
 
Thanks for the advice on the plugs guys. I did change them a while ago and didnt torque them, becuase I dont have a torque wrench. Just did the old fashion tightening down. Ill check to see if that is that case in my situation, becuase It did seem to start occurring shortly after I changed them.

Every morning recently when I go to start my car it starts up real hesitently. Seems like only in the morning. Then after wards it's pretty much good starting every time throughout the day. Does this make sense that it could be the plug slowly working out or is that just probably something esle. I recently changed fuel filter too.


What plugs did you change to? TR6's? I have seen some people with TR6 say that they get that same hesitation in the morning but then it starts up fine all day after that.
 
From bullit archive - TSB


03-16-04
Engine - 4.6L 2V-TICK NOISE FROM ENGINE-ENGINES BUILT BEFORE 8/29/2003
Some vehicles, equipped with the 4.6L 2V engine, with an "ENGINE BUILD DATE" prior to 8/29/03 may exhibit an engine tick noise that is present at all temperatures during idle. The noise may be emanating from the valve guide area in the Cylinder Head. The noise may not e heard with the hood open.
 
From bullit archive - TSB


03-16-04
Engine - 4.6L 2V-TICK NOISE FROM ENGINE-ENGINES BUILT BEFORE 8/29/2003
Some vehicles, equipped with the 4.6L 2V engine, with an "ENGINE BUILD DATE" prior to 8/29/03 may exhibit an engine tick noise that is present at all temperatures during idle. The noise may be emanating from the valve guide area in the Cylinder Head. The noise may not e heard with the hood open.

I had the same issue a few years ago and had both of my heads replaced at about 30,000 miles under the TSB and have not heard the noise since!