About a week ago my 1997 F150 4.6L 2WD starting a ticking noise. I had used high mileage full synthetic Mobil 1 and a Motorcraft oil filter for the previous oil change and yesterday had another oil change using regular Mobil 1 synthetic and a Motorcraft oil filter. Had never used high mileage oil before. Since the high mileage oil is supposed to have extra cleaning agents in it to remove the sludge buildup in the engine, could the sludge have found its way into the oil pan and possibly clogged up the oil pickup tube? The ticking was not continious and would be at idle or acceleration. No rhime or reason to when you would hear it. I also wonder about an exhaust manifold leak which could sound like ticking. If the problem is an oil pickup tube being clogged up, can the oil pan be removed with the engine still in the truck? Any thoughts?

 

How many miles are on this truck??

If you been fairly diligent on changing oil and filters, I doubt that sludge build up is the issue. Unless this is kinda a "new to you" truck and can't speak to past maintenance history, then maybe.

You'll have to figure out where this ticking is coming from. SO maybe pick up a mechanics stethoscope or a short chunk of hose and try to pin point where the noise is coming from. It maybe the exhaust manifolds, or it can be the timing chain tensioners, or , heaven forbid, something more catastrophic.

With yours being a 2 wheel drive, you stand a good chance of removing the oil pan without to much hassle....maybe loosen a motor mount and jack the engine up a bit. Before I would remove the oil pan, I would drain the oil and get a bore scope camera, (buy or borrow one) in through the drain plug hole and see if there is anything in there worth concern.

 

The truck just turned over 270,000 miles. Special ordered the truck in January 1997. Been in the family ever since. I might add that my son drove the truck when he got his drivers license and later when he entered the Navy in 2005. I got the truck back in 2009 when I gave him my 2006 F150 Supercrew since his family was getting larger. He probably took better care of the 1997 as far as oil changes go. I probably drove it easier than he did though.

 

With a cold engine, start it up and immediately feel around the manifold with your hand. Be careful not to get caught in anything. You should be able to feel the manifold leaking. Been through this twice with my truck.