The "Ford Death Tick"
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 1
From: Charleston
The "Ford Death Tick"
all my chevy buddies call it the ford death tick and all the older fords ive ever rode in and some chevies have done it. while driving down the road the engine will tick a little bit when your on the gas and the more gas you give it the quicker it will tick. it sounds like it comes from under the hood on the passenger side but im not real sure. anyway is this my engine knocking? i think i read somewhere that it was something about the valves tapping or something like that?
anyway what causes it and how do i fix it? it normally doesnt bother or concern me because im used to it but today it became a little bit louder so when i got home i checked my oil and it was a little low but not very so i added some too it and it quieted it down a bit. and then on my way home from work it did it again.
im a bit concerned about it because im going out of town with it tomorrow and wanted to know how serrious it was.
thanks for all the help guys
anyway what causes it and how do i fix it? it normally doesnt bother or concern me because im used to it but today it became a little bit louder so when i got home i checked my oil and it was a little low but not very so i added some too it and it quieted it down a bit. and then on my way home from work it did it again.
im a bit concerned about it because im going out of town with it tomorrow and wanted to know how serrious it was.
thanks for all the help guys
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 923
Likes: 1
From: North Central MA
lol sorry " spark knock" thats its real name... it could be an Exhaust Manifold gasket and does it when its hot. I don't want to throw you off to a true issue also. Wait for other replies. Im by no means a ASE guy...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 4
From: Rapid City, SoDak
I wouldn't count out the possibility of an exhaust leak, have you checked the manifolds for cracks?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,331
Likes: 292
From: Laramie, WY
If its the truck in your sig, with just 87000 miles I would be a little surprised if the timing set was wore out. Exhaust leaks can definitely make a sound like you've described, and can be hard to hear when you're under the hood, but very easy to hear in the cab. Not a bad idea to check ignition timing, but in my experience predetonation happens when you're really on it, and the ECU goes full advance.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,244
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From: Cottage Grove, WI
I agree, check out the exhaust fully before you do anything else. Every ticking ford ive delt with has been an exhaust leak, due to cracked manifolds, or because stock ford did not use exhaust manifold gaskets, and it leaks at the head.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 464
Likes: 5
From: Redmond, WA USA
+1 on a small exhaust leak. My '79 Chevy had this for awhile before I finally fixed it. So far, My Ford doesn't, despite the rear-most right side exhaust manifold bolt head having already cracked and broken off (through no human intervention, best as I can tell).
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 3
From: Conway, South Carolina
Na, I had a 302 with a cracked manifold, it ran fine, just "tick tick tick tick".
BTW when you chevy buddies call it the "Ford death tick" tell them CHEVROLET stands for "Can Here Every Valve Rattle On Long Extended Trips".
BTW when you chevy buddies call it the "Ford death tick" tell them CHEVROLET stands for "Can Here Every Valve Rattle On Long Extended Trips".
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
Mine hasnt done the death tick yet and I hope it won't but I also do take care of my truck so as long as your taking care of your truck well and doing regular oil change and all that you should be ok, I vote for possible leak on exhaust...