Ticking sound from fuel rails

[rews2]

I kept hearing a ticking sound from under the hood like an exhaust leak. I did the old school check using a long handle screwdriver my dad showed me years ago for finding sticky lifters. I put the screwdriver on different components and when I got to the fuel rails on both sides I could feel the vibration come through the screwdriver handle. Is this sound a normal operating sound? Should I be looking deeper for something else? Any ideas?

[alloro]

It's your fuel injectors. Some ticking is normal, but excessive or loud ticking is a sign of one or more of the injectors being worn.

[rews2]

If I pull out of my driveway and have the windows down I can hear them. Would that be excessive loud?

[fredsheffield]

Make sure your fuel lines are not contacting the firewall. There should be a damper in the line itself to quell noise traveling through the system. It would be highly unusual for you to be able to hear them over engine noise with the hood closed.

[alloro]

Originally Posted by rews2

Would that be excessive loud?

To me it would be. I guess if it bothers you then it's too loud, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

[rews2]

Good point.
I'll check out the lines coming into contact with anything along the firewall also.

[dirtmonkey11]

Like alloro said it is your fuel injectors. It is normal for them to make a tic noise. You might be able to make it a little better if you put in some fuel injector cleaner in. I am not sure if that would make it quieter but it isn't expensive so I think its worth a try.

[rews2]

I'll give the cleaner a shot and like you said it's an inexpensive place to start.
I know that this question is purely based on personal opinion/experience, for injector cleaners any suggestions on a brand?

[alloro]

I would think that if the cleaner worked at removing any gunk or buildup within the injectors that they'd get louder, wouldn't you?

[Beechkid]

Try Marvel Mystery Oil in the fuel- it has both cleaners & lubricants and 4 out of 5 times works.

[fredsheffield]

most of todays fuel contains cleaners, not to mention ethanol which is an excellent cleaner and water remover in itself. in fact, the noise you now hear may be a result of the injectors becoming cleaner since you have been buying the good stuff.

[rews2]

alloro, not sure how that goes but I see what you're saying. My initial thought was cleaner has to be better.

Unfortunatly things being what they are I'm running more sub grade fuel than I ever have. It's been my experience that with sub grades my mpg is less and any truck I ran it in didn't run as smooth. I know that someone may weigh in that there are only a few refineries and they produce all fuels just like with tire manufactures. My statement is purely my seat of the pants opinion.

[fredsheffield]

the lower grades (regular) is guaranteed to be a fresher product due to the majority of vehicles using it. cleaners are added per fuel station, shell, amoco etc. they all contain 10% methanol, and like I said before, that is the primary ingredient in fuel system cleaners for water removal. Plus, have you ever seen what grain alcohol does to varnish? I would follow the old rule of thumb, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

[aft2005exp]

I've used both Seafoam and Lucas Oil's injector cleaners and they work great. I have a 2005 EXP EB 4x4 97k and has a ticking as well. I tried to see if one injector was louder than the others (i.e. unplugged each one at a time) and give a listen. They all were consistently the same tone and volume. But after the injector cleaner i did notice a difference in performance.