engine ticking sound

[saleen107]

Hey everyone I am new to the site. I have a 2003 mm with 120k. I am having a ticking noise that is coming from the motor when it starts up cold. Once the car heats up the noise goes completely away. The motor runs fine, the oil pressure does not fluctuate and I have not had any metal in the oil. I have gotten two opinions and been told it could be one of three things:

1. Timing chain slapping
2. a tappet on a lifter that has gone bad
3. the clutch on the alternator is trying to lock up

I was just curious if anybody else had a problem similar to this and if so how they diagnosed it especially since all three of these make sense. The timing chain and alternator are not a big deal but I do not want to just start replacing things left and right.
Thanks in advance!

[Ourobos]

Loud injectors, infamous head tick.. can you isolate where exactly the sound is coming from, or post a video?

[GoldPanther]

If the ticking/knocking sounds goes away in a few seconds then its normal. This is called dry-start which is common to happen when you use certain oil filters with a weak antidrain-back valve, some of the oil falls back to the pan over night causing a dry start in the morning.
If the car ticks for more than a few seconds, lets say for the first few minutes the it could be the famous valve seat issue or something else.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Just so you know the factory oil pressure gauge is a dummy gauge, it never fluctuates like a real oil pressure gauge. it will always read like 58 lbs. Actual oil pressure is 75-100 after start up and cold, down to 25 after warm and idling and 40-60 while driving pending how aggressive driving you are doing.

[Pat]

U-tube has several videos on this subject.
My car developed a head tick, very loud, around the 110-115 mark,IIRC. Had a noticeable loss of compression on #6. However, the tic went away on the way to the repair shop in Indiana. Went ahead with the valve job anyway. Several valve seats were replaced on the drivers side and the head cooling mod done. My chains and guides were fine.

Member ZACK did the disassembly and reassembly. No further problems, mileage is now 127K.


Cheers,

[Ourobos]

My 03 Cobra developed a bad TICK.. Turned out the #7 ring land lifted, ending in a bottom end repair / upgrade..