I`v got a 99 250 with what sounds to me like a lifter tap.It seems to only
happen at the top of each shift.(auto) It also dosnt happen till it warms
up .From all the threads I`v read in the last few weeks, (new guy), it
sounds like most of the tappin ,knockin, tickin is going on at start up only.
Any thoughts as to why it dosnt do it till it warms up.
thanks for any input (p.s.) great site

 

Are you sure it's not pinging? My truck was making a rattle right before an upshift, I now have to run super unleaded gas. New plugs, and fuel injector cleaner didn't help. You might try a tank of super unleaded gas or try another brand like Chevron.. Another thing to check is the torque converter aluminum cover plate that can rattle. Some guys have been able to bend it a little to fix it. I took mine off and trimmed it with a pair of tin snips. It's on the bottom of the t/c housing. I would try it first, and the gas as a last resort, because for some reason whenever I put super in any of my trucks the computer remembers it and then it will ping on anything but super..

 

You shouldn't have to run premium, if you have a stock engine you'll need to do the 'set back computer to factory' thing which involves unhooking your battery over then some driving, stopping, shutting the engine off, etc. Do a search in the FTE, I have it saved somewhere, here it is, reprinted from a smart FTE member who sent it to me in a round about way. His name is Lighthouse, here goes;


Like Lighthouse said, reset the computer first. Disconnect the battery
overnight, and then take it out on the highway, cruise at 70+ for a 5-10
minutes, pull over, coasting all the way without hitting the brakes, then
pull out slowly, speed back up to 70+, and then pull over again.

Then, MASH IT TO THE FLOOR, and go back up to 70+.

This will make the computer relearn everything and go into closed-loop ...

One thing, if it pings again soon after resetting the computer, you
probably have a bad knock sensor.

Funny story: I had a dirty MAF in my '96 4.6L T-bird, overoiled K&N.
Cleaned it, and according to the TSB about the fault code I got (lean bank
1/2), Ford says to get the computer to learn the MAF, I had to get onto
the highway, and in 3rd gear, keep my foot to the floor for at least 30
seconds (or a minute, or something like that).

Only problem was with my Superchip and a 3.73 rear, I was doing over
120MPH before the 30 seconds were up... and they said to repeat it a few
times! Mustang GT thought I was playing with him, and started to get
****ed off because he was losing ground around that 120 mark... funny...
t-bird was more aerodynamic than his 'stang...

 

I did take that plate off and drove it a mile or two , didnt change.
As far as running super in it , Im sure its worth a try. But I dont think
its a ping. sounds more like a lifter tap to me . thanx for the help

 

if its a 99 it sounds like a spark plug is ready to blow out of the cylinder head, type in "blown spark plugs" in the search box and read up on it. Dont ignore this problem.

 

Get a "mechanic’s stethoscope" (a short piece of tubing or water hose) stick it to your ear and listen to the area around the coils and injectors. If you hear a "PFFT" sound do as redbull660 stated and check the plug(s) for correct torque. This may require removing the plug and checking the threads also.

If you hear a "tick" it could be your injector(s). This is not to say that there is anything wrong with them, but that could be the noise. Injectors click - that's their nature.

Otherwise it could be "piston slap" which could be a bad thing, or not, depending on the severity.

See this thread also (if you haven’t already). It’s a newer thread:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=233386