I have a 2001 Exp with 113000 miles. I have a ticking noise coming from the front of the engine! I have been told by ( non professional mechanics) that it is the timming chain. the engine still runs great and does not leak any oil nor does it have any type of hesitation when driving or idling. Does anybody have any info on what this could be? I have narrowed it down to timming chain or valves tapping? Could it be something else? I did have #1 and #4 coils go bad and had them replaced which I think may have caused the ticking to start, because it was not making the noise before then. I am not a mechanic but I am also not ignorant to it either. Please advise with any help so I may be able to narrow down the problem. I have owned the truck since it was brand new and it has been babied. Unfortunately money is tight so I may have to repair this one myself.....HELP

 

My brother expedition 4.6 also did they same thing but he said the spark plugs gap size where off and he just retaped them and vuala
how dose the noise sound? like on my brothers expo the ticking increased upon acceleration i've also heard thats an early sign of the spark plug getting ready to blow out.... so try to get your spark plugs checked out i hope thats your problem not the timing chain

 

Look through the wheel wells to check the exhaust manifolds to see if any of the studs snapped and the hex nut is missing.

 

I'd look first to an exhaust leak like alloro mentioned first then move on to changing those plugs, the service life and maintence schedule is at 100,000 on those old plugs, change them out. The ones in the front arn't bad replacing but the back ones are a bit harder due to space, but doable.

 

I have the same issue myself. I decided on the manifold leak. SO when the parts finally arrive (gotta order them bein in Germany) I will get them in and let you know should have it done by Friday I am hopin.

One of buddies who was a mechanic for a number of years also mentioned if it still runs like crap the number 7 or 8 can collect water and short out the coil so my next paycheck I am ordering a set of coils wires and plugs and will get a nice tune up done.

What is the gap on these plugs?