4.6 Ticks on cold start
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4.6 Ticks on cold start
Recently picked up a 99 Ext Cab 4x4 with a 4.6 and a 5 speed.
When cold, the motor has a slight tick on the passenger side. After warming up, the Tick goes away. I have done the searches and it looks to be a sticking exhaust valve, a small ehaust manifold leak or possibly a loose spark plug waiting to blow and I get to join the timesert club.
For those that have had the plug blow, did the ticking occure all the time or only when cold? I plan to start working on it this weekend, but I'd like to get some feedback from those that have been there and done that. Thanks.
When cold, the motor has a slight tick on the passenger side. After warming up, the Tick goes away. I have done the searches and it looks to be a sticking exhaust valve, a small ehaust manifold leak or possibly a loose spark plug waiting to blow and I get to join the timesert club.
For those that have had the plug blow, did the ticking occure all the time or only when cold? I plan to start working on it this weekend, but I'd like to get some feedback from those that have been there and done that. Thanks.
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Update - Should have put this info in before.
The Ticking occues slightly on the drivers side wheel well and is more pronounced on the passenger side wheel well. From a cold start, the ticking begins immedialty and once the tem pgage begins to creep upward after a minute or so of ideling, the Ticking diminishes. After 3 to 4 minutes at idle, the Ticking is gone.
This makes me think that it is a sticky valve, a slight leak in the exhaust manifold, or a lifter or 2 that need to be pumed up.
Make any sence?
The Ticking occues slightly on the drivers side wheel well and is more pronounced on the passenger side wheel well. From a cold start, the ticking begins immedialty and once the tem pgage begins to creep upward after a minute or so of ideling, the Ticking diminishes. After 3 to 4 minutes at idle, the Ticking is gone.
This makes me think that it is a sticky valve, a slight leak in the exhaust manifold, or a lifter or 2 that need to be pumed up.
Make any sence?
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From: Richlands N.C.
I have a '97 that does the exact same thing. I've read that in some years there was a design problem in the coolant passage at the rear of the head. This supposedly would cause the sticky valve situation over time. I'm not sure if this is what's causing the tap that were hearing but it sounds likely. I've tried different oils and it doesn't seem to make a difference. I've also been taking notice of other F150's and come to the conclusion that 4.6's and 5.4's are just noisy engines at startup. I was parked beside an '05 or '06 last weekend when the owner started it up to leave. It sounded just as noisy as mine. I've decided that as long as it goes away with warm-up I'm not going to worry about it.
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From: Richlands N.C.
I'm not sure about the year models. I'm still new to these modular engines (just bought my '97 in May). But the post that I read that described the coolant passage problem and the resulting tapping from a sticking valve sounded exactly like my truck. I'm not sure what the difference is between regular heads and PI heads but if they weren't used in '97 I guess my tapping noise is coming from somewhere else.
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From: Long Island USA
I neglected to mention I have this in my '97 Romeo engine. It also has a slight piston slap on startup.
I have read that the "ticking" is related to the piston slap.
However, I wonder now, if this is really something else
If I beat on the motor for 15 minutes, letting it rev all the way out through the gears a bunch of times, it will go away for months.
It hasn't been back in the past year, so ...
I have read that the "ticking" is related to the piston slap.
However, I wonder now, if this is really something else
If I beat on the motor for 15 minutes, letting it rev all the way out through the gears a bunch of times, it will go away for months.
It hasn't been back in the past year, so ...
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From: Louisville,Ky.
I would suspect the exhaust leak myself. Look for broken studs where the manifold bolts to the head. As the manifold heats up, it expands and reseals.
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From: Barker, NY
It's most likely an exhaust manifold leak. I started mine cold and ran my hand along the manifold and there was a crack right in the manifold. Back in 2001 with 48000 miles Ford covered the entire repair job. Now at 93000 miles I have a broken stud. Not leaking yet. In 01 they installed stainless nuts and regular studs. Now they use stainless studs and nuts but they won't do anything for me. It comes out of my pocket.
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From: Houston, Tx
Alot of Tritons do that on cold/wet starts. As long as it goes away within 30 seconds or so, than don't worry about it. Mine has done it since I got it and has always stayed the same. It is not typically a problem that gets worse.
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Help tapping or knock noise
97 f150 4.6l 166k miles replaced belt and tensioner and changed oil now I have this tapping noise and have no clue where its coming from anyone have any experience with this? Video of engine with noise
Watch "1997 f150 4.6l tapping noise/knock" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/VhiQzj0DoCU
Watch "1997 f150 4.6l tapping noise/knock" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/VhiQzj0DoCU
Last edited by Robert Barnitz; Feb 12, 2020 at 07:25 AM. Reason: Add. Video clip
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