I was wondering if anyone with a 4.6 is hearing a tapping ticking noise on cold start. I know Ford had a problem with piston slap on 98 and 99 engines but I thought it was fixed on later models. Mine is a 2002. The dealer can't hear the noise, everyone else can. Appreciate hearing from anyone else with this problem.

 

I have a 97 4.6 and it ticks when cold and sometimes at idle. it has 88,000 miles and i was wondering about it myself. Its not a loud tick but i dont like it.

Aaron

 

I would bet bagels to biscuts that you have an exhaust manifold leak. Very common. When it is cold, check to see which side is louder. I'd believe exhaust leak before internal noises on the 4.6. Hope this helps.

 

i have a 97 cobra that ticks the same way but i can hear it better from bout 25 ft away kinda weird