Valve Tick???
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 973
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From: Texas
Valve Tick???
Its been a while since i have posted. Iv been focusing on school. But lately my old truck has started making a noise that concerns me.
Its a 1993 f150 with the 300 I6. its got 160,000 miles on it and has never had anything done to the engine.
I dont have much experience with diagnosing internal engine noises. So i was hoping ya'll could help me out a little bit.
A few days ago, i noticed a ticking while i was sitting at idle. Its pretty faint tick, only barely noticeable from the drivers seat with the window down.
I had a chance to really take a look at it this afternoon. Its most noticeable from the pass. side of the engine compartment. And it changes speed with rpm. I'v also noticed that it doesn't start until the truck is really warmed up. I used a drum stick, similar to the use of a broom stick, and there was no noise from the head, valve cover or intake. I checked a couple of injectors and noticed one was considerably louder then the others.
But, like i said, i dont even really know what im listening for.
any ideas or help is greatly appreciated!
Its a 1993 f150 with the 300 I6. its got 160,000 miles on it and has never had anything done to the engine.
I dont have much experience with diagnosing internal engine noises. So i was hoping ya'll could help me out a little bit.
A few days ago, i noticed a ticking while i was sitting at idle. Its pretty faint tick, only barely noticeable from the drivers seat with the window down.
I had a chance to really take a look at it this afternoon. Its most noticeable from the pass. side of the engine compartment. And it changes speed with rpm. I'v also noticed that it doesn't start until the truck is really warmed up. I used a drum stick, similar to the use of a broom stick, and there was no noise from the head, valve cover or intake. I checked a couple of injectors and noticed one was considerably louder then the others.
But, like i said, i dont even really know what im listening for.
any ideas or help is greatly appreciated!
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 8,674
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From: town of less than 200 ppl
Try running some injector cleaner through it. Sounds like gummed up injectors to me, especially if your at 160,XXX miles, and have never cleaned them. I like lucas brand, other people will vouch for many others such as seafoam, etc. Give it a try and see if it helps out.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Queensland, Australia
yeah i had a similar problem. i used injector cleaner, and put some fresh oil in it. and it ended up being a broken exhaust gasket.. maybe just check if u can feel any exhaust air coming out from around ur header while its idling??
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 8,674
Likes: 0
From: town of less than 200 ppl
Good point. Aren't our 300 sixes known for leaky exhaust?
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Texas
Thanks for the quick replies.
i will try some injector cleaner and see if that helps. We've used SeaFoam on out sea doo's and boat, but iv never tried it in my truck. I'v heard good things about lucas too, so ill check them both out.
I know that my exhaust is leaking and has it been leaking for almost 5 years now. So im pretty familiar with the sound. I'v tried tightening it, but it stills leaks. Ill check the manifold area out next time i get the chance.
To me, it sounds like more of a mechanical tick rather then a pop caused by a leaky gasket. But as iv said, i dont know much about the internal noises.
i will try some injector cleaner and see if that helps. We've used SeaFoam on out sea doo's and boat, but iv never tried it in my truck. I'v heard good things about lucas too, so ill check them both out.
I know that my exhaust is leaking and has it been leaking for almost 5 years now. So im pretty familiar with the sound. I'v tried tightening it, but it stills leaks. Ill check the manifold area out next time i get the chance.
To me, it sounds like more of a mechanical tick rather then a pop caused by a leaky gasket. But as iv said, i dont know much about the internal noises.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 973
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From: Texas
Sorry i havent updated ya'll on whats going on. Its been rather busy the past couple days. I picked up some SeaFoam to put though the tank next time i fill up, which was supposed to be today so i could see if it helped on the trip home, but the lines at the gas station were rather long. So i headed home with about 3/4 of my rear tank. With the aid of a nice tail wind and the draft of a few semis, i made the 180 mile trip will fuel to spare haha. Not to shabby for a a 18 year old 6000lb truck with 33in tires and a 4in lift 
As for the "Tick", i checked it out for a minute or so once I got home. I feel like it could be more of a "Ticshh" sounding exhaust leak. But, like i said, i only looked at it for a moment. I plan on spending some time on it in the morning. And I will also fill it up and add the SeaFoam to see if it helps anything.
I will try to keep ya'll updated. But as the semester comes to a close and things get busy
, it might a while before ill get to work on it a again.
As for the "Tick", i checked it out for a minute or so once I got home. I feel like it could be more of a "Ticshh" sounding exhaust leak. But, like i said, i only looked at it for a moment. I plan on spending some time on it in the morning. And I will also fill it up and add the SeaFoam to see if it helps anything.
I will try to keep ya'll updated. But as the semester comes to a close and things get busy
, it might a while before ill get to work on it a again.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: town of less than 200 ppl
I too have a 4 inch lift and 33s. I am getting around 14 mpg, which I feel is very good. I drive about 30/70 city/gravel. I am also in desperate need of a tuneup. (6litre tuneup FTMFW!)
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Texas
Haha, well i ended up evening everything out on the trip back. That tail wind turned into a head wind and it ate my lunch and my afternoon snack. I think the average ended up well into the single digits and that was all highway with a little slowdown traffic along the way.
ok, update on the truck. I filled up and put the sea foam in before the above mentioned trip. I burned the whole tank today, but when i got home i didnt feel like checking it out. But, i will do so tomorrow if im feeling better.
Hopefully the seafoam worked wonders and it sounds nice and healthy. But if not, ill check out the exhaust. And if that is inconclusive, ill wait till the semester is over, and i will change the gasket anyways. Its already been leaking, so it wouldn't hurt.
ok, update on the truck. I filled up and put the sea foam in before the above mentioned trip. I burned the whole tank today, but when i got home i didnt feel like checking it out. But, i will do so tomorrow if im feeling better.
Hopefully the seafoam worked wonders and it sounds nice and healthy. But if not, ill check out the exhaust. And if that is inconclusive, ill wait till the semester is over, and i will change the gasket anyways. Its already been leaking, so it wouldn't hurt.
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