Ticking noise in engine area and it's not injectors...

[HotRaud90]

Hello all. Been a while since I've been active here, but have a recent concern with the MM. Car just rolled 120k mi and I've got a steady ticking noise that seems to be most audible the closer you get to the bottom end of the engine (video coming soon). You can hear it pretty well once you get near the front wheel wells. I've read a couple other threads here and there, but can't find a conclusive cause or problem. I can't exactly remember when it started because these aluminum 4.6 DOHC engines seem to make some type of noise from the factory on day one. But one day it hit me that this sound seemed different than the usual hum and tick of the injectors.

FWIW, I maintain the car very regularly with its basic fluid and part needs. I have not done my cam tensioners and guides yet, but that is on the asap list in the next few weeks.

[Agent2006]

Get one of those harbor freight mechanic stethoscopes, it will help you pinpoint the noise

[HotRaud90]

Thank you for your advice, but I don't need to find where it's coming from as much as I need to know what it is. I've confirmed it's coming from the lower end of the engine, more so near the tranny bell housing.

Any help in figuring the cause of the sound is would be much appreciated. This is my DD, I love this car and I want it to run many more miles. Thanks in advance to those with more experience than I. I'd like to g ey it taken care of asap!

[justgod]

I chased a gremlin just like that and it turned out to be an exhaust leak at the header gasket. The sound transferred through enough that I would have swore it was coming from the bell housing.

[HotRaud90]

I chased a gremlin just like that and it turned out to be an exhaust leak at the header gasket. The sound transferred through enough that I would have swore it was coming from the bell housing.

Interesting. That cured your tick? Sounds like it would be worth taking the advice of previous gentleman and seeing if I find the concentrated tick there. Maybe I could also spray some type of solution there to see if I get spray back?

Any other thoughts or suggestions? I know there's plenty of knowledge to go round in these parts.

[justbob]

If it stays the same throughout the RPMS I would also include a crack in the flexplate. Maybe pop the rubber plug off the drivers side block (torque converter access hole) to see if there is any change. If so, crank by hand while inspecting the flexplate.


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[HotRaud90]

If it stays the same throughout the RPMS I would also include a crack in the flexplate. Maybe pop the rubber plug off the drivers side block (torque converter access hole) to see if there is any change. If so, crank by hand while inspecting the flexplate.


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Thanks for the input justbob. To put it quite frankly, I consider you a guru around these parts. So while your advice is most likely sound, I must admit I'm having trouble following [emoji848][emoji57]

Per your advice, I'll check the sound through the rpm range and listen through the plug hole while access plug is popped off too. How would the sound change? Should I hear it more clearly with plug off? How should I go about cranking by hand? Sorry for nooby questions.

I will say that it's not a clunk per se, more of a tick. That's why I hadn't considered the TC or flex plate.

Just to throw this out there: could a failing TC cause this sound? I've had TC shudder in OD for some time now. Tranny flush and friction modifier only created temporary fix.

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[RubberCtyRauder]

the cracked flexplate, although not common like timing chains, does happen. I've read of 3 or 4 findings of this in the last couple years.

[justbob]

Thanks for the input justbob. To put it quite frankly, I consider you a guru around these parts. So while your advice is most likely sound, I must admit I'm having trouble following [emoji848][emoji57]

Per your advice, I'll check the sound through the rpm range and listen through the plug hole while access plug is popped off too. How would the sound change? Should I hear it more clearly with plug off? How should I go about cranking by hand? Sorry for nooby questions.

I will say that it's not a clunk per se, more of a tick. That's why I hadn't considered the TC or flex plate.

Just to throw this out there: could a failing TC cause this sound? I've had TC shudder in OD for some time now. Tranny flush and friction modifier only created temporary fix.

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No worries, best to ask.

You want to pull the plug first to hear if it’s more pronounced. If so, have someone start it and slowly raise the RPM to around 3,000 while your at a safe enough distance listening. Your listening for no change in sound, just faster ticking. (A rod knock gets MUCH louder when you rev as an example)

If this is what you end up hearing, shut her own and put an 18MM socket on the balancer bolt and you, or preferably someone else slowly turn the engine while inspecting with a flashlight. Hair line cracks are fairly common on modular and seen best with a flashlight.

If nothing is evident but the sound is louder with the plug removed, it wouldn’t hurt to get a trans shop to take a quick look to rule out TC or pump.


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[Chayton]

the cracked flexplate, although not common like timing chains, does happen. I've read of 3 or 4 findings of this in the last couple years.

I’ll try to post pictures later of my cracked flexplate. If you go to my thread posts I have one that I believe is titled name that sound, sounds pretty bad and did indeed turn out to be a cracked flexplate.

[HotRaud90]

No worries, best to ask.

You want to pull the plug first to hear if it’s more pronounced. If so, have someone start it and slowly raise the RPM to around 3,000 while your at a safe enough distance listening. Your listening for no change in sound, just faster ticking. (A rod knock gets MUCH louder when you rev as an example)

If this is what you end up hearing, shut her own and put an 18MM socket on the balancer bolt and you, or preferably someone else slowly turn the engine while inspecting with a flashlight. Hair line cracks are fairly common on modular and seen best with a flashlight.

If nothing is evident but the sound is louder with the plug removed, it wouldn’t hurt to get a trans shop to take a quick look to rule out TC or pump.


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Thanks for the support and info. I'll do some troubleshooting over the next few days when I can and report back.


I’ll try to post pictures later of my cracked flexplate. If you go to my thread posts I have one that I believe is titled name that sound, sounds pretty bad and did indeed turn out to be a cracked flexplate.

Just listened to your video. Mine doesn't sound like yours, which sounds more like a rattle. Mine is more of a loud sewing machine click. My video files are too large to post from my phone, so I'll have to lower the quality manually and upload one tomorrow.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Sewing machine sounds have been associated with timing chains, guides, tensioners.

[Fastbob]

Just a suggestion, if you turn the engine by hand using the crankshaft bolt to check the flex plate, make sure you turn it in the normal engine running rotation direction. On some engines if you turn them backwards the timing chain or timing belt can jump time causing all kinds of problems.

[Comin' in Hot]

exhaust leaks will cause this sound. I've seen bad flange gaskets and the EGR tube have leaks and cause a ticking sounds.

[HotRaud90]

Here's a link showing video of the underside of the car while I rev it.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/hTFPD3UgP6BmGvoU2

This is not long after a cold start. Car not fully warmed up yet. As you can clearly hear, the rate of the tick increases and decreases depending on RPM. It's not a clunky clacking or anything like that, just a steady tick.

justbob, I took out the inspection plug on the bell housing and the tick seemed to get a bit more noticeable. My head was right next to it as I listened for changes.

I also took a diagnostic stethoscope and placed it on the exhaust manifolds, cats, bottom end of the engine block in several places, and finally the tranny housing. While I could hear the noise to some extent wherever I placed it (probably attributed to the fact that I was under the car where all the noise is), I could've sworn I heard it more pronounced whenever I touched the bell housing right near TC and flex plate.

Next step is to have a buddy manually turn the crank while I inspect the flex plate as best I can. Damn hard to see through that little hole, though...

Any advice/thoughts in the mean time?

[Big Black Beast]

exhaust leaks will cause this sound. I've seen bad flange gaskets and the EGR tube have leaks and cause a ticking sounds.

My EGR tube fitting just straight up came loose once. I took it to a shop and the mechanic quickly found the source of the noise. OP, I'd have a mechanic listen to it. Any one worth his salt should be able to at least give you an idea what it might be.

[Grimrepairman]

Sounds a lot like an exhaust leak. Torque converter or flexplate issue should change under load, for example shifting into or out of gear, also may hear a rattle at the end of rotation when engine is shut off. Try having someone hold their hands over the exhaust tips (cold) while you listen under the car. If exhaust, should get louder with the increased back pressure. Have you tried "power braking" to increase engine load, and if so any change in sound?

[HotRaud90]

Sounds a lot like an exhaust leak. Torque converter or flexplate issue should change under load, for example shifting into or out of gear, also may hear a rattle at the end of rotation when engine is shut off. Try having someone hold their hands over the exhaust tips (cold) while you listen under the car. If exhaust, should get louder with the increased back pressure. Have you tried "power braking" to increase engine load, and if so any change in sound?

I haven't tried either of those tests yet. I can't hear anything from the cabin of the car. Everything sounds completely normal when driving. Guess I'll try it with the windows down.

Also, I may be thinking of something completely different, but I seem to recall an old trick where you spray something around the exhaust header gasket area to see if you can visually pinpoint the leak. Anyone else heard of this?


My EGR tube fitting just straight up came loose once. I took it to a shop and the mechanic quickly found the source of the noise. OP, I'd have a mechanic listen to it. Any one worth his salt should be able to at least give you an idea what it might be.

I checked my EGR tube yesterday and all seems to be well. Trying to keep it away from a shop for the time being, but I will definitely search for a Ford 4.6 specialist in the area if it comes down to it. Got a Ford speed shop right down the street.

[Blackened300a]

I’m curious what you find. I’ve been chasing the same sounding tick for years now. I can’t find any exhaust leaks, I’ve tried different oils and additives, and I can’t find anything that would lead me to what this tick is. I only hear it on the drivers side under the car. The passenger side is quiet and I barely hear it from the top of the engine.

[Mr. Man]

Does the sound lessen as the car warms up or is it the same hot?

[blazen71]

These engines are notorious for ticking in the valvetrain.

[Mike D Mechanic]

oil analysis and taking oil filter apart and see what the filter caught will tell ya if the lower end is waving bye bye or not

[Big Black Beast]

These engines are notorious for ticking in the valvetrain.

Mine's done this the entire 110,000 miles I've driven it. You really notice it in a drive thru where the sound has a wall to reflect off of. I think OP's sound is a new issue though.

[HotRaud90]

I’m curious what you find. I’ve been chasing the same sounding tick for years now. I can’t find any exhaust leaks, I’ve tried different oils and additives, and I can’t find anything that would lead me to what this tick is. I only hear it on the drivers side under the car. The passenger side is quiet and I barely hear it from the top of the engine.

I'm not the only one! Well, I figured as much anyway. I can hear it from both sides of the car. Seems to be more noticeable from the driver's side though. The search continues!


Does the sound lessen as the car warms up or is it the same hot?

Seems to be the same when warm as it is when cold. May lessen a bit when warm, but not a huge difference if any.


These engines are notorious for ticking in the valvetrain.

I'm coming to recognize (and live) with that more and more.


oil analysis and taking oil filter apart and see what the filter caught will tell ya if the lower end is waving bye bye or not

Hm. Interesting. That would be something I would need to look into in the near future. But it doesn't strike me as a motor issue, oddly enough. I could be wrong, I'm no expert. But it just doesn't strike me that way.


Mine's done this the entire 110,000 miles I've driven it. You really notice it in a drive thru where the sound has a wall to reflect off of. I think OP's sound is a new issue though.

I agree 100%. When next to something that the sound can reverberate off of is when I notice is the most.


Anywho, I had my lady cycle through the gears in the parking lot the other day while I got down on the ground and listened. The sound did not change enough for me to think "Wow, that was a noticeable difference" when in any certain gear. It may have changed slightly, but I did not hear any new clacks, clicks, or clunks when listening. Maybe a slight change in frequency, but the sound remained the same volume and sound.

The search goes on...

[Bruce Wayne]

could be the infamous "death rattle". Bottom end bearings going south. It happened to me. Fix it before it explodes

[HotRaud90]

As a small update, I had my brother turn the motor (clockwise) by hand so I could get underneath with a light and check for cracks in the flexplate. Well, I didn't find any. But then again, I see a lot of people show examples of cracked flexplates and the majority of them are fractured near the bolt holes, not on the outer edge, which is what I'm limited to inspecting with the tranny still in the car.

Still, the sound my car makes is not nearly as clunky or rattle-like as 95% of the other videos I've seen where people are experiencing a cracked flexplate.

The search continues...

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[Invective]

I refuse to be paranoid about noises my vehicles make or I think they're making - could drive one bat crazy. If there is a major change I'll investigate it. Otherwise, it's a machine.

[SAAAAAC]

So I had this same exact ticking noise. Been going on for awhile. I only have 79k miles on the car. Guess what? This morning something broke. Pretty sure and exhaust issue. I was right next to my buddies shop, so I immediately dropped it off there. Didn't get a chance to look at it. But it had to be a break at the passenger side manifold or near it. I could smell fumes, and the car was running funny. No codes. I will update when I hear back from my mechanic.

[SAAAAAC]

Ok. It wasn't exhaust. Blew a spark plug. Can't believe it. If I remember correctly, I had a Lincoln dealer install new spark plugs around 50 k miles. I'm surprised it didn't throw a code. Blew the coil pack too. Unbelievable. I guess I will still have the ticking after it's repaired.

[Blackened300a]

Ok. It wasn't exhaust. Blew a spark plug. Can't believe it. If I remember correctly, I had a Lincoln dealer install new spark plugs around 50 k miles. I'm surprised it didn't throw a code. Blew the coil pack too. Unbelievable. I guess I will still have the ticking after it's repaired.

I had this same issue. The tick was louder and it eventually fried my coil. I didn’t set a code either and was lucky to be able to replace the plug and coil.

[HotRaud90]

Noted. I have 8 NGK plugs that I'll install asap to see if I can head off any possible problems with the plugs and coils

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[Invective]

could be the infamous "death rattle". Bottom end bearings going south. It happened to me. Fix it before it explodes


Well, Ill be.....

[Eastern_Front]

Yeah, death rattle? you mean "Rod knock"...unless your implying its a timing chain issue..
ticking from my experience is as another member stated is related to valve train noise or exhaust leakage, bottom end noises are more knocking than ticking..

[decipha]

i broke the timing chain tensioners on my 03 with a 2 step. It made a tapping noise but was apparent that it was from the front of the engine. Maybe give that area a good listen.

[SteelQualityMan]

i broke the timing chain tensioners on my 03 with a 2 step. It made a tapping noise but was apparent that it was from the front of the engine. Maybe give that area a good listen.2 step? Dancing with the Stars?

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[decipha]

lol no, its a 2 stage rev limiter for launch control lol