We have a 99 Ford F-350 with a V-10. My wife hears a noise all of the time while we drive and I have only noticed it while driving without the 5th wheel attached. Perhaps that is because the engine noise under a load drowns out the sound for me. I do not hear it when ideling.
To me it sounds like a soft rythmic clicking or ticking. She thinks it sounds like an air movement from the exhaust or something.
Any ideas of what might be causing this. The engine seems to preform fine and I have not noticed any mileage difference.

Thanks, LIKENIT

 

Exhaust Manifolds

 

Not to freak you out, but some times when bearings start to go bad; they get a clicking sound.

My old trucks timing belt pully did the exact thing. Think of it as a early warning to get it fixed.

 

like navistar mentioned check your exhaust manifold studs,they are known for breaking off then you develope a exhaust leak.

 

It could be exhaust flutter, it could be the bellhousing inspection cover, it could be exhaust manifold studs, it could be lots of things.

Definitely check the exhaust manifold studs first

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The V10 doesn't have a timing belt, it has timing chains that last practically forever (200K+)

 

I'm assuming the noise changes with rpms? Definitely sounds like exhaust leak from a manifold to me...

But Krewat is right, could be several things. Exhaust first! Please post what you find...

 

Went to a Ford Dealership in Asheville, NC. They said the noise was coming from a leak in my after market Borla Headers and they would not work on after market items, but would refer me to an exhaust shop.
I didn't have it done because of time frame, but will have it looked at this next week or so.
I had them change the plugs which were at 92,000 miles. They said three of them showed a little burning, but not real bad.

 

That's good it was just a exhaust leak.
Mine has been making some noise when it's cold, I think it's valve noise. It varies with speed but not load, and is only when cold. Once warmed up it is very smooth and quiet. Being it's OHC and aluminum heads I'm not worried-things are going to be sloppy until it warms up.
My honda valvetrain sounds like it's full of marbles when it's cold, it gets worse too when it's near time for an oil change.

 

Likenit,"I had them change the plugs which were at 92,000 miles. They said three of them showed a little burning, but not real bad."

How much does the dealer chare for a spark plug change?

How do you like the velvet ride shackles?
What difference did it make in the ride? Smoother? highway expansion joints etc.
I am considering these but I would like to hear back from someone who has them first.
George

 

Injectors make a clicking sound, too - which is normal.

 

I have not found a place to look at the exhaust leak from the headers yet and am wondering if there might be some potential problems caused by not getting it fixed for another 3 weeks and 700 miles when I get home.
On the trip from Asheville, NC to Louisville, KY, I noticed the sound was getting a little louder or else my hearing is improving.
I thought someone told me there could be a problem with damaging something aluminum from to much heat, but I can't find it on this site.

Thanks, LIKENIT