My truck makes this weird ticking noise. At idle it sounds fine, but the instant you get on the throttle, it starts to tick and it gets worse and starts to squeal the more throttle you give it. I was thinking (and was told by my dad, who's been in the car business for almost 30 yrs.) that it could be a broken bolt in the manifold. I also think it could be a leak or bad gasket. Ive got friends with the same sound coming from their engine compartment. Anyone have a 5.4L with this same problem?

 

I do not have the same issue...but it does sound like a exhaust leak from the description...most likely the manifold.

 

I've checked out the manifolds for a few hours and there are two broken bolts on each manifold, but the manifold is still sturdy. However with further inspection i noticed that one of the gaskets is shots so I'm fixing that soon. I'd Appreciate any other comments.

 

I had that same problem and it turn out i had to have the manifold replaced. I waited so long to have the gasket replaced and it warped the manifold. The good news was it only cost me another $80 to replace the whole thing verses the gasket. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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gonna have to get the exhaust corrected 1st to rule any other possibilities.
but willing to bet that is the problem

 

my dad happens to be a big car guy and has worked at a dealership for 25 years. he is high up on the service and parts side and got price checks on new stock manifolds and parts for $550... im not crazy about that... im looking at hedman headers that are around $350 and i think thats the route im gonna go

 

If you like the truck and are going to keep this for some time yet....especially if you pull trailer much at all, which most who have SD do

You might want to consider Long Tube headers....the draw back is that you'd then need to redo the entire exhaust system. which is probably more $$ than you want to spend. maybe not?? IDK

But...the up side is... true dual exhaust, if you like, but big single still works ...not to mention you'll gain power and maybe some economy with Long tubes and high flow cats & less restrictive muffler ...to really reap the full benifit of the updated exhaust...a tuner would be a great addition as well to help let the ECM know how much better the beast is breathing Just throwing out the thought

 

the thing is this truck has a lot of miles, like 235,000... im not sure how much longer this engine is gonna last... it already has problems and when it comes time to replace it (or get a new truck), i dont wanna have a ton of money in it... i do like the sound of longtubes tho... just dont wanna spend the money

 

Ok I get that...but one could get a salvage yard engine that (A) has significantly lower miles, or (B) just grab another engine that is running, and over haul it, add the "goodies" that you want and have it laying in wait...until what currently lives in there gets bad enough. Then all you gotta do is swap it out. ( C) as you stated... get a different truck

 

Im hoping by th time i get rid of the truck, the engine will be fine, and if it goes wrong, than the next person can deal with it

 

Partsguyed.com has the manifolds for $119 right and $115 left.. what year is your truck?

 

1999 5.4 L , 235,000 miles

 

try RocK Auto...RockAuto Parts Catalog

they got them for ~$60 each