Ticking sounds...

[SilverBullet00]

So the other night I was driving my car pretty hard, Which I have done in the past with no problems. On the way home I noticed a ticking sound when cruising around 40+ mph. It sounded very rhythmatic and could only be heard with the windows down. And it appears the problem is not going away, as I drove it yesterday and today and it does the same thing.

I have already checked the spark plugs and they are fine. My fear is its a header gasket... what do you guys think? I cant hear this sound when the car is idling, I tried to check it out today but the only time you can hear it is cruising at 40+mph....

 

[COramprat]

Header gasket would be remote...midpipe maybe but without hearing I couldn't be sure. Exhaust leaks are not usually rythmic though...genearlly random pops and ticks...like popcorn.

 

[CENTENNIALSTANG]

maybe a valve

 

[SilverBullet00]

Header gasket would be remote...midpipe maybe but without hearing I couldn't be sure. Exhaust leaks are not usually rythmic though...genearlly random pops and ticks...like popcorn.

I know I have a leak @ the midpipe, but this is different. It sounds like it is coming from the top of the engine compartment best as I can tell.

 

[SilverBullet00]

Currently I am running the OEM gaskets that I bought new at the time of install. Could I just get away with adding stage 8 lockers and retorqueing, or do I need new gaskets as well?

 

[Gearbanger 101]

If all else fails and you can't get rid of the noise, you could always leave this one running in the driveway too and just get another one?

 

[theadictspunk]

i know!

your lifters!
get it fixed fast.

 

[the98stang]

Put some lucas engine honey in the oil and see if the noise quiets down. If it does, your lifters are sticking. Which really isn't a HUGE problem. You would be better off leaving it alone because tearing into the heads would cost tons of labor.

 

[SilverBullet00]

If all else fails and you can't get rid of the noise, you could always leave this one running in the driveway too and just get another one?

That hurts.....

So you guys seem to think its something with the valves and not a header to head leak? Is there any way I can somehow test for a header leak to rule it out for sure?

 

[Barrier]

If you live in a place that stays pretty warm try a 20W50 oil... your lifters are probably dry. Same thing happened on my stang last summer, switched to a heavier weight oil and the sound went away somewhat.

Just make sure you don't have 20W50 oil in the engine when you first start it on a really cold day... like colder than 40*F, else theres a high risk of blowing your oil pump and head gaskets At least try running it for a month or two, as it may solve the problem.

If its a ticking sound and not a hollow tube pffting sound, it's not the header gasket.

 

[the98stang]

That hurts.....

So you guys seem to think its something with the valves and not a header to head leak? Is there any way I can somehow test for a header leak to rule it out for sure?

Honestly, I think you have an exhaust leak. That is much more likely than a bad lifter. But thicker oil/ engine honey is one way to find out if the problem is in the heads. A blown head gasket would be very noticeable. It would burn lots of coolant, poor white smoke from the exhaust, and your oil would look milky. Try some thicker oil and see if it quiets down some. If not, start looking for an exhaust leak with seafoam or soapy water.

 

[blown4_6]

I had the same problem, but mine was all the way through the rpm's. Mine was 4 bent intake valves and 2 bent exhaust valves. A broken valve guide and no. 1 piston with a chip taken out of it. LOL hope thats not your problem

 

[hotmustang331]

My header gasket was leaking last month and it was a simular experiance. At idle or revving you really coulnt hear anything, but if I hadf the windows UP and everything off and give it some gas at low RPM I could hear it. After a while it blew out more and more and I could hear it all the time. Replaced it not too long ago....but my header bolt was backed way out and another next to it was loose.

Another thing it was doing, was there was a black mark on the head from the leak....yours will have the same if its a header leak. Definatly wasnt a random sound as it was mainly just #1 cylinder that had the issue...but changed with RPMs.

 

[SilverBullet00]

maybe a better description of the sound would be it sounds like rice cispys. After listening to it more last night its a more random sound. I guess I will add engine honey and see if that helps and go from there..

 

[the98stang]

maybe a better description of the sound would be it sounds like rice cispys. After listening to it more last night its a more random sound. I guess I will add engine honey and see if that helps and go from there..

Is it a softer more precise sound, or loud, like a huge clock? I think you are just hearing the injectors clicking...

 

[SilverBullet00]

Is it a softer more precise sound, or loud, like a huge clock? I think you are just hearing the injectors clicking...

you have to roll your windows down to hear it; injectors make sense, but what would cause them to sound different now?

Diagnosing strange sounds suck....

 

[the98stang]

you have to roll your windows down to hear it; injectors make sense, but what would cause them to sound different now?

Diagnosing strange sounds suck....

Yea, the injectors wouldn't be loud enough to where you could hear them with the windows up. Is the sound related to engine temp? If the sound only occurs when the engine is warm, it's most likely an exhaust leak. If the noise quiets down as the engine warms up, it could be the lifters. This is because the oil gets thicker as the engine warms up, and quiets them down. I still think you are hearing the exhaust leak. If you have a stethoscope you can use it to find the noise more easily.