So I've come to the conclusion I have a lifter going out. Not sure which one but its my own diagnostic. Has anyone had troubles with bad lifters or changed them or had them changed?

If anyone has any helpful hints let me know.

99 F-150 Intake, Exhaust, Cranked Torsion Bars

 

what makes you think a lifter is going out? these engines do not have lifters. they use lash followers.

 

If it doesnt have lifters then I need to be educated on Lash Followers and what this noise is that my motor is making

 

When does the noise happen?
The hydraulic lash adjusters in these engines work pretty much like hydraulic lifters but instead of riding on the cam like a lifter does they hold the end of the cam follower up and hold it against the cam. The cam follower sits on the tip of the valve on one end and on the lash adjuster on the other end. The cam pushes on the top of the follower in the middle.
A common cause of what sounds like lifter noise is broken exhaust studs where the manifolds attach to the heads. The passenger's side is most common.

 

Thats what mine was. Broken exhaust stud on pass. side rear.

 

Have the oil and filter been changed regularly in this engine? If not, then it could be a sludged up lash adjuster allowing the click. If the oil has indeed been changed regularly and consistently, then the noise is likely something else like an exhaust leak or possibly pulled spark plug threads.

If the oil has not been changed regularly, drain the oil while the engine is hot and let it thoroughly drain, preferably overnight. Change the filter and replace the drain plug, then fill it with a good cleaning oil. If you are in a warm climate, use one of the oils that the truckers use in their diesels to clean the engine. These oils have LOTS of cleaning agents in them to handle diesel soot but they are also rated SL for gas engines. They will clean the crankcase like crazy.

If you are in a Northern climate where it is still cool, use something like Mobil 5000 5W30. The purpose of this oil change is to CLEAN the crankcase. Run this oil change about 500 miles and change it again hot with the same oil. If the tick remains, run it another 500 miles and change it again. If after doing this about three times does not clear up the noise it is NOT going to clear up by merely cleaning the crankcase and you will need to find and replace the lash adjuster OR look elsewhere for the noise.

When this cleaning sequence is finished, go back to your favorite premium grade 5W20 or 5W30 motor oil and regular, frequent oil change intervals.

Good luck,

 

Ok the exhaust stud makes sense. If I could describe better what the motor is doing I think someone could help explain.

I change the oil in this truck every 3000 miles and run chevron 10w30 which to me is a good oil and should be helping my motor.

Yesterday I dumped some Marvel Mystery Oil in the crankcase and will see what that does. If the problem persists I just might go into a auto shop.

Anyone from the Fort Collins, Co area??????

 

Since you have done frequent changes, you can probably forget about flushing the engine as I described. I would, however, drain the crankcase IMMEDIATELY and get that MMO out of there! I use MMO as the lubricant for my air tools and that is ALL that I use it for.

As a crankcase additive it is WAAaaaay outdated. You are using a good premium oil and the additive package in that oil is MUCH better than MMO.

It sounds like you need to look elsewhere for your noise. If you have a spark plug loose it will make a similar noise.

Good luck,

 

I know for a fact that my truck has lifters, every motor has lifters even diesels. So one thing I want to know is has anyone tried to mess with their lifters or just taken them into a shop.

I assume its a good project to get the valve covers off and everything inside that motor compartment.

If anyone has some good advice let me know what you can. I will be tearing into this Friday afternoon, 12 pack of beer, can of chew and some big steaks to go along with it.

 

If the spark plug was loose I would hear the noise all the time. I only hear this noise when I start the motor and it runs for maybe 30 seconds. So once the oil has traveled through the motor it stops making the ticking.

I am fed up tryin to diagnose this problem by myself and no one on this sight has helped me at all!!!!!!!!!!!

 

''and no one on this sight has helped me at all!!!!!!!!!!!''


go whine somewhere else!

 

there is no lifters!

 

FYI - noises are very hard to diagnose in person much less over the internet

 

"I am fed up tryin to diagnose this problem by myself and no one on this sight has helped me at all!!!!!!!!!!!"


Well EXCUSE the HECK out of US!!!!!!!!!!!! In case you didn't notice, several us were trying to help. As ccoram pointed out, noises and vibrations are the most difficult to help with via written text.

I fully expect that after that statement, everyone of us that have TRIED to help, will no longer put forth ANY effort at all.

In your original post you were very skimpy on information but people tried to help you anyway. Had you posted in that original post that the noise went away after 30 seconds, then I think that several of us would have homed in on the problem right away. Now that you HAVE given us that information, I expect that most of us know what the problem is, but after jumping onto us for not being helpful, don't expect any of us to tell you what's wrong.

I have posted on sites like this for about six years and all I try to do is help unless someone starts throwing barbs. Sometimes I come up with solutions and sometimes not. I have almost 10,000 posts on another site for a different brand car.

In all of these six years I don't remember EVER seeing anyone so UNGRATEFUL.

BYE,

 

The people that post on this site, in an effort to share information and help other solve issues, make things better, and generally improve everyones knowledge from past experiences do so because we are good people, with god hearts, and a willingness to be helpful to others in need. We do not get paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form. Our time is donated, so to speak.....non-profit.

This "site" is filled with knowledge....if you choose to believe otherwise....then so be it and pay someone to fix the problem since it is your belief that we do not know what we are talking about, up to you.....