Wierd tapping noise from engine.........

[junehhan]

Hey guys, for some reason, i've noticed that my engine is making a wierd metallic tapping noise when i'm idling. It will not make the noise until the engine has fully warmed up, and then it's pretty loud. I hear a light clicking noise which I assume are the valves or hydraulic valve adjusters, and I also hear the fuel injectors ticking, but this noise is seperate from those other noises. Has anyone else noticed anything like that from their Marauder? When I was idling, I went out and noticed that it appears to be coming from the driver side of the vehicle as it's louder when I listen to it from the driver side wheel well. My engine does not blow any smoke as far as I can tell, but I never really pay attention to that. It's really noticeable when you are sitting next to a wall idling listening to it echo. It's a very metallic sound as if you were tapping your fingernail on your desk at equal intervals.

[Macon Marauder]

ruh-roh

That sounds like the valve train problem noted in some Cobra and Marauder heads. TripleTransAm (maybe others) had a cylinder head replaced under warranty for a noise that was described very similar to yours.

[Macon Marauder]

This link may help:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4470

[Macon Marauder]

This link may even be a little more helpful:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=5268

[Long Live #3]

I thought they fixed that problem!

[junehhan]

What's wierd with mine, is that it doesn't appear till the engine has been running enough to bring it up to normal operating temperature. It also appears to be intermittent, because it did not do it at all for the rest of the day. I am a very paranoid person, so I think i'll just wait it out for now. Maybe what i'm hearing is normal, but this is exactly the same tapping noise that I recall on my old 2001 SVT Cobra which blew mass smoke when I started it up in the mornings. I think i'll just give it some time, as it would get worse if it wasn't normal, especially since I do like to floor the gas at least once a day. Since the noise doesn't appear till the engine has warmed up, at least that's a good sign since those who have had the tick, have had the noise regardless of engine temperature or rpm. I've sat in a drive through with the car in park revving the engine, and it does appear to make the noise up to about 1000 rpms, but from there I can't tell anymore as other noises drown it out.

[Long Live #3]

The thing is, the 300A models had this problem. The 300B's I think never had it. You'd think that Ford would fix the problem and get it over with.

[TripleTransAm]

The thing is, the 300A models had this problem. The 300B's I think never had it. You'd think that Ford would fix the problem and get it over with.

Where did you get this impression?

[Long Live #3]

I've been seeing of the 300A owners on the forum having this problem. I guess I'm just assuming.

[CRUZTAKER]

Please stop assuming and offer nascar information please.

[1 BAD 03 MM]

I also have this ticking, and it is a 2003 300A. hummmmm.:mad2: :mad2: :mad2:

junehhan, check these out.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/search.php?searchid=2041

http://www.blueovalnews.com/2003/powertrain/4.6l.cobracylhead.072903.htm

I have this info and other info from this site to take to the dealer, hope they take care of me. Especially for 35k.

[junehhan]

Definately keep us updated on what it turns out to be at the dealer. For some reason, I couldn't hear this tapping noise today either when I was idling, but then again it's getting so cold that I really don't leave the window down much at this time. I may have the dealer look at it anyway since the worst thing that can happen, is me lose just a little time. I figure it's best to have it documented early just in case. Maybe my noise just went away? I'm having an oil change done tomarrow or this Saturday anyway..........

[tta197]

My 03 300A has this tapping noise as well (only between 1200 & 1500 RPM). What I don't understand is that it will only make this noise when the transmission is in gear. If I have the tranny in Park and rev it up, I don't hear any unusual noises. Shouldn't it make the tapping noise regardless?

[HwyCruiser]

I have had my 2003 300A for a month (19k miles) and get the dreaded tapping niose intermittently at 1500-2500 rpm as described by several others. I went as far to purchase a rod stethescope to poke around a bit before I took it back to the dealership for a look. Observed that under direct contact / amplification the fuel rails and injectors are noisy as all get out, but since I can't stick my head under the hood driving down the road I can only assume it's the source since it sounds very similar from behind the steering wheel.

The curious thing is I took the cruiser out on it's first business trip Mon/Tues, racking up 500 highway miles. Got 3/4 tankfulls of 91 octane gas from the same Texaco to and from and haven't had tick one since getting back.

Although 3 days of tickless driving isn't proof of much, it does make me wonder if running ~20 galons of a different brand of detergent gasoline from I usually buy (92 octane from Shell/BP) in two days cleaned out a frustrated injector or something. I will need to fill up this weekend, so I'll see if the usual vendor is the culprit. I imagine most of us are creatures of habit when it comes to stuff like this.

Is anyone using a fuel injector cleaner regularly, even though the book says thou shall not pass anything but gas through the filler? Any effect one way or the other?

[junehhan]

As wierd as the tapping noise I had was, it appears to have gone as I havn't been able to get my engine to tap while idling for the last several days now. I did have my oil changed Friday early morning with 6 quarts of Motorcraft 5w20 semi-synthetic, and then a half quart of Amsoil 0w30 since it was still half a quart low.

[jgc61sr2002]

As wierd as the tapping noise I had was, it appears to have gone as I havn't been able to get my engine to tap while idling for the last several days now. I did have my oil changed Friday early morning with 6 quarts of Motorcraft 5w20 semi-synthetic, and then a half quart of Amsoil 0w30 since it was still half a quart low.
June - Are you sure it was low as the capacity is 6 quarts? Better a little low than too much oil. IMO. :confused:

[junehhan]

Yes, I was there watching them check the oil as I normally do. I'm really not paranoid about these guys as they do a good job, but I never turn down a chance to get under my car while it's on a lift, and have a look around dreaming of potential mods I want to make. Normally people arn't allowed to be back in the service bays with the tech's, but i've known the owner of this place for a long time and he doesn't mind. We actually waited about 5 minutes after he put 6 quarts in, and turned off the engine. It really did take a full 6.5 quarts to top off and I checked it the following morning, which showed that it wasn't overfilled.

[schuvwj]

Mine gets so loud sometimes I think I'm driving a diesel! I put Techron injector cleaner, (20 gal. size), in a full tank of gas, have not herd it since.
Will have to wait and see. This would be too easy.

[junehhan]

From my understanding, were the people who were experiencing the engine ticking noise also experiencing blue smoke on startups? I was idling my vehicle today in my driveway, and it appears to be making a distint tack, tack tack tack noise that's only heard from the driver side wheel well. When I went around to the passenger side of the vehicle and tried to listen to it from the passenger side wheel well, I couldn't make out the noise at all. After my vehicle sat outside in near single digit temps all night, I went straight to the exhaust pipes right after I started the engine to see if I can sniff anything unusual. Other than uncatalyzed fuel(mmmmmmmmmm), I couldn't smell anything unusual, like burning oil odor............


Out of curiosity, are there any sound clips out there that could tell me what exactly this ticking problem sounds like? Mine is a tack tack tack tack noise which happens at equal intervals, and speeds up or slows down with engine rpm when idling.

[schuvwj]

Yes, I was there watching them check the oil as I normally do. I'm really not paranoid about these guys as they do a good job, but I never turn down a chance to get under my car while it's on a lift, and have a look around dreaming of potential mods I want to make. Normally people arn't allowed to be back in the service bays with the tech's, but i've known the owner of this place for a long time and he doesn't mind. We actually waited about 5 minutes after he put 6 quarts in, and turned off the engine. It really did take a full 6.5 quarts to top off and I checked it the following morning, which showed that it wasn't overfilled.

Yes junehhan I have noticed the same thing. When I get my oil and filter changed I can add about another 1/2 quart after putting in six?
So I always use 6.4 quarts of oil.

[junehhan]

A quick question that I had, for those of you guys who had the ticking noise, did it do it regardless of engine temperature, or only after the engine has fully warmed up?


What's interesting, is that i've never had a Ford vehicle that took exactly the same amount of oil that is listed in the manual. My 01 SVT Cobra for instance took a little over 7 quarts of oil, and it still wasn't topped off even though the manual called for 6.5 I believe.

[junehhan]

Well, i've got an appointment set up with the dealership for tomarrow Friday at 11am, and they are going to have the engine guy listen around the engine to see what it could be. I am hoping i'm just being paranoid, or that it's nothing serious and just an easy fix. I still don't understand why it only does it after the engine has fully warmed up, but who knows..............

[tta197]

Junehhan, mine makes the noise regardless of engine temp., but I can only hear it with the tranny in gear and the engine at 1200-1500 rpm. When I pull in the garage and put the tranny in park and rev the engine up, I don't hear any unusual noises from the engine.

[schuvwj]

My MM makes the tapping noise only after she's warmed up.

I remember Mac saying once that the harder you drive these MM's the better they run. Maybe it's time to give it try.

[vegasmarauder]

I get the same ticking too, but only in gear, at idle, and warmed up. Seems to go away if I drive it real hard though. I will mention it to service advisor at next oil change just to get it in the file in case I get the valve guide problem later.

[junehhan]

Thanks guys, you are already making me feel better! I'm just hoping this tack tack tack noise i'm hearing is normal as this motor itself appears to have a lot of noises going on when compared to a regular engine. What had me concerned, is that this noise has a slightly metallic sound to it by nature. My former 2000 Crown Vic for example is dead silent and hardly makes any noise by comparison. In fact, my father bought it from me a while ago and said it's the best car he's ever owned. I think i'm still going to stop by the dealership anyway to have them listen to it, so that I can get it on file if anything. I figure that since I have the 100k mile extended warranty, something should show up sometime during the warranty if something isn't normal. When I get the chance, i'm going to record my engine idling and post it for people to hear.

[schuvwj]

I get the same ticking too, but only in gear, at idle, and warmed up. Seems to go away if I drive it real hard though. I will mention it to service advisor at next oil change just to get it in the file in case I get the valve guide problem later.

You know it would be real nice to have FMC step up to the table and admit they have a BIG problem here.
Maybe we should start a poll to see what our ticking MMs have in common?
1) Build date (car or engine)
2) List of mods, if any
3) Miles on car when sound started
4) Owner location (does weather or gas additives have an affect?)
5) VIN number
6) Etc. (any more ideas?)
Take this information to our dealers and FMC and maybe then we could get some action.

Just my two cents.

[RF Overlord]

My former 2000 Crown Vic for example is dead silent and hardly makes any noise by comparison.

Remember that the MM has twice as many cams and valves and gears and chains and other whirly things as the CV's motor...

[junehhan]

Well, I stopped by the service department at my dealer yesterday, and they said that what i'm hearing is normal engine noise for this motor. The technician said he even got out his stethescope and said he heard nothing unusual from this engine. When I asked him why it was louder on the driver side of the engine, he told me that the throttle cable carries these noises and vibrations down into the firewall where it vibrates and makes a lot of noise. Either way, i'm not going to worry about it any more since the vehicle has a warranty till 100k miles. If this isn't normal, then i'm pretty sure it would definately show up by then anyway. I also got a chance to listen to a 04 Lincoln Aviator later in the day from someone I bumped into that complemented my Marauder at the Marathon gas station, and his engine was making the same tack tack tack noise at idle. He said his Aviator had 2000 miles on it now, and my Marauder just turned 3000 as I pulled into my driveway a few minutes ago! :)

[TripleTransAm]

I'm glad it's nothing abnormal in your case (or so your technician says - I've heard some pretty good ones lately - did he give you grief over putting too much mileage on your car? LOL!).

Just be aware that when investigating my ticking Marauder, my technician fired up a practically brand-new Mach I and it made the same ticking. I have no idea what kind of mileage was on that car, but my technician was surprised to hear a brand new car making that sound as well as my own car. It was supposedly a VERY low mileage Mach I.

Keep an eye on it, just in case. I have the same throttle cable routing as you do and my car is completely smooth and silent at idle. If it really is the throttle cable, then it should be possible to disconnect it from the engine and all ticking/tapping will seize, right?

[junehhan]

It didn't occur for me to ask them about that, but I honestly don't believe that the throttle cable is really making that much noise. It's been documented and recorded into OASIS, and my vehicle isn't doing anything wierd, so i'll just assume that it's normal and go about my way. My understanding, was that the vehicles that experienced this tapping noise are also blowing blue smoke during cold starts, right?

The technician also told me that his Mark VIII has also been making the same noise at idle ever since he bought it brand new in 96.

[TripleTransAm]

Ok, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you then.

FWIW, my Marauder is now totally silent from outside the car with the hood closed, since the repairs. Even in -20C starts (ouch!).

[Dr Caleb]

You know it would be real nice to have FMC step up to the table and admit they have a BIG problem here.
Maybe we should start a pole to see what our ticking MMs have in common?
1) Build date (car or engine)
2) List of mods, if any
3) Miles on car when sound started
4) Owner location (does weather or gas additives have an affect?)
5) VIN number
6) Etc. (any more ideas?)
Take this information to our dealers and FMC and maybe then we could get some action.

Just my two cents.

It might be a good idea. As well to include the Transmission codes so we can see if there is a commonality in tranny failures to a certain build plant or build date.

[Long Live #3]

Please stop assuming and offer nascar information please.
As my mom used to say, "When you assume, you make an a$$ out of you and me."

[Murader03]

This has been going around on the MercuryMarauder.com board too. Just can't get most of those old timers to venture here. They say our board is to confusing. Anyway, one of the owners there took his in and they found that the cams had not been torqued evenly. They loosened all the mounting bolts, and then re-torqued them to specs. His noise is gone. :beer:

[merc406]

Theirs a fellow Marauder'er over at the IMMC site that had the "noise"---His dealer people tracked it down to the cam hold-downs not being torqued to the right spec's. They did it right he's on his happy way down the road.
He left his e-mail address for any more info on the problem. :rock:

[tta197]

Does anyone know the what the torque specs are? I would love to give this a try and see if it will quiet my engine tapping.

[bigtay809]

I have an early 03' Marauder that had a very annoying noise: sounded like a valve tap or a "quiet" diesel. The noise would come in around 1200 to 2500 r.p.m. when taking off slowly,or under normal acceleration. it was best heard all windows up, and wasn't as noticible from outside the car. I realize it is an aluminum head,all aluminum engine & its going to be a little noisey(but this was not normal)& those of you that have it too(know what I mean)! Anyway, took it to the local dealer,& good news:they hear it too(I'm not nuts afterall) well? anyway,the bad news: they have no clue what it is after spending 2-days trying to figure it out!(suggest maybe its normal)? Got mercury REP. involved, he set up an appt. with me to meet with him at another dealership who sells more Marauders & has an S.V.T. sister store.They are very familiar w/ the engine + the svc. mngr. drives a Marauder himself as a demo! We meet & set up an appt for a month down the road to drop car off! Meantime they will try to gather info from Merc.& their "special engine team". Drop off car on 1-26-04 & told I will have my car back next week(for sure)with either my engine fixed or a whole new engine! But they are pretty sure they will find and fix my problem by 1-28-04! Fine w/me! They call me back(THAT NIGHT), we think we found the problem, merc rep. had given them some helpful insight. 1-28-04(COME & GET IT)! Your all done! "Very minor problem afterall" just a pain in the _______ to get to the bottom of it! Seems that a few Marauders had gone through the assembly line with the wrong torque specs on the "cam hold-downs", THE FIX: remove wipers,cowl,& motor mounts(just to get the valve covers off),then loosen ALL the "aluminum cam hold-downs"and re-torque them to the proper specs. (DONE)! Noise is gone! They treated me like GOLD,kept me informed the whole way, & put me in an 04' Town-car until my Marauder was done! Hats of to the whole crew over there! You know who you are! And special thanks to Drew Fennema,the Linc/Merc rep who got it all set up! Anyway,those of you w/ this noise: have your cam hold-downs re-torqued,all 48 bolts that hold down all "4" cams. oh well GOOD LUCK to all & I hope this info helps someone else! Tim Haas. 1-31-04

[jgc61sr2002]

Tim - Thanks for the heads up. :D :up:

[TripleTransAm]

Good info, Tim. Thanks for the details.

I'm starting to realize that we have to group the ticking/tapping into two categories:

1. tapping from 1200 rpm onwards: most likely the cam hold-down torque issue.

2. ticking at idle: most likely the valve guide issue.

Good to see we're making some progress on these issues... :up:

[studio460]

Great info on the cam torque spec. solution, guys! My ticking was always at idle at all engine temps (indicating the dreaded valve guide issue?). However, now, at 17K+ miles, the ticking is nearly silent. Previously, about 5K miles ago, you could hear the ticking from the drivers' wheel well from 20 feet away. Any thoughts, Triple-T? Should I just forget about it it now and live my life?

[TripleTransAm]

Hey, if it's not burning oil (smoking, etc.) and running strong, why worry about it? Keep an ear on it for a while, especially after some hard driving, just to make sure some carbon accumulations hadn't cocked the valve over against the worn guide, taking up the slack.

If it was a valve guide issue, I don't see how it could 'cure' itself... in my case, I could really rock the valve stem against the sides of the guides, they were that messed up. Metal doesn't heal itself, so maybe your ticking would be from a THIRD possible source!?!?

I'm interested in hearing how your situation progresses...

[Blue03]

[QUOTE=bigtay809]I have an early 03' Marauder

Hi BigTay,
What month was your MM made In? It should be on the upper left of your the Ford sticker on the drivers side door. Mine was made in 02/03 and I'm getting some ticking. Thanks for the good post and info!!
Cheers Blue03

[junehhan]

Wow, i'm glad that we seem to be making a lot of progress on this issue. Since mine makes it only during idle, at least i'm glad I can rule out one possibility. However, i've noticed it doesn't always do it, and my engine doesn't smoke either while running strong. Normal or not, i'll just leave it alone since it definately would get worse if it wasn't normal..............

[schuvwj]

I have an early 03' Marauder that had a very annoying noise: sounded like a valve tap or a "quiet" diesel. Tim Haas. 1-31-04

Tim this is the best message I've heard on MM.net! This is great! I am going to my local F/M dealer on Monday with a copy of your memo.

Do you have the Dealer name/phone number that finally fixed your MM?
My local Dealer my want feedback before they start.

Thanks a million Tim!