My motor started ticking !

bzubke1

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The tick is only coming from the drivers side, around the valve cover area. It first started ticking after I pulled out into traffic and took it to redline in 1st and 2nd gear. When I came to a stop sign I noticed the ticking. I have driven the car nearly 3k miles since it started, and the car runs just as good as it ever has. It only ticks for the first couple miles I drive the car. I have basically norrowed it down to two things. Either the exhaust manifold gasket or a sticking lifter. I feel like it's probably the gasket. If it was a lifter would it still run really good. I just wanted to see what some of yall though? Thanks.
 

Maverick_997

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i'd go with the header gasket, not saying that it cant be a sticky lifter but the same thing happened in my trans am after i ran the shiit out of it, same syptoms to, after it gets warm the metal expanded and sealed the leak.. but if it is a lifter tick just through some greesed lighting into your next oil change and it will clear it up. worked for me many times.
 

busta

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I have this same issue... From what I'm told it's a valve lash adjuster. You only hear it between 2-3k rpm's and it goes away if I'm off the throttle.
 

jzepp

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How loud is the ticking? When i first start my car and open the hood i hear a slight noise somewhere.......can't figure out where. It might be a ticking noise but i am not sure. When i close the hood you cannot hear it. When the car warms up, it is still there. It is not really loud but, the engine is not quiet. I am just wondering if the lifters should be making any noise at all or should the motor be quiet.
 

Slow95Cobra

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check the spark plugs to make sure they are tight. when i got my car, it had a lil tick to it. i figured it was a injector, never thought much else about it, untill i put a set of plugs in the car. i found #1 was finger tight.. the tick was compressed air blowing from around the plug.
 

WhiteFoxGT

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Dude I just put my brand new motor in December and it already has ticks and noises to it.. I noticed it about a month or so ago...started it and I can hear it off the garage wall.. I just left work today and I could really hear it...sounded more like a TOB noise and it felt like the car was missing slightly, After warming up it went down to its normal noise with no miss... Very odd... I think the POS is about to spin another rod bearing...
 
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bzubke1

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My bet is on a lifter. Not a big deal really.

if it is a lifter what is wrong with the lifter that makes it tick?
On a side note I have bbk longtubes and dr.gas x pipe waiting to be installed so if it is the header gasket it'lll be fixed when i put the longtubes on.
 

98 svt

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GUYS, I ASK YOU TO DO ONE THING....
If you develop a sudden tick from the cam cover area:
Remove the plug wires 1 at a time and make SURE the spark plugs are TIGHT.

Trust me, I developed a tick, and the next day I had a plug blow out of my #7 cylinder
 

bzubke1

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I'm gonna go check the plus right now. But it is a pretty loud tick my brother could hear it from about 40 yards away.
 

WhiteFoxGT

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My tick inst that loud, you gotta have your ear up to the drivers front fender.. Or stand under the car on a lift.. Sounds like a mild exhaust leak at times.. I guess Ill check the plugs.
 

RippinSVT

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Ok, you outta be able tom figure out an exhaust leak yourself pretty easily, my vote went for lifter tho because you said it was RPM based. A leaked-down lifter simply puts slack in the valvetrain and makes it tick.
 

98 svt

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bzubke...just realized you have a 5.0 Cobra. No need to check your plugs. This issue is with the 4V's.
 

bzubke1

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Ok, you outta be able tom figure out an exhaust leak yourself pretty easily, my vote went for lifter tho because you said it was RPM based. A leaked-down lifter simply puts slack in the valvetrain and makes it tick.

That makes sense but why would the tick go away once the car is driven a few miles?
 

bzubke1

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Ok that makes sense now. It's obviously doesn't affect performance noticibly, but is this something I should consider fixing or just drive it as is.
 

jzepp

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What should the plugs be torqued at? I just tightened mine with a socket. Is it a good idea to have them torqued to spec?
 

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