I have a 2001 5.4 with 55K miles and the tow package. On acceleration the engine makes a ticking noise. Engine seems to run fine, no mis-fire. Wondering if any one has experienced this before.

 

Does it do it hot or cold? Mine has a slightly warped exhaust manifold that "ticks" for the first mile or so, then goes away. I can tighten the manifold and it will stop for a short time. Not enough to make me replace it yet.

 

It's a friend's truck, he said it does it all the time, but worse when cold. He also says that there is a shuttering noise at 2,000 rpms that he thinks is exhaust related. I will tell him to check the manifold bolts and see what happens. Thanks for the advice.

 

Either that or a loose spark plug

 

i would check manifold bolts and like lxman said maybe sparkplug

 

don't be sparkplug, i think i have another one coming on.
i also heard worn lash adjusters may cause ticking.

 

Guys, thanks for the feedback. I passed it along to my friend so he can check those things out.

 

Agreed...Noises are sometimes hard to explain especially for women(hope the wife doesent see this post) but usually "Ticking" is a term related to valve train.......This could be caused by low oil pressure,or the lash adjusters(as previously stated) requiring adjustment.Could be nothing more than the serpentine belt coming apart...best suggestion is to try to track down where the noise is located.If a good visual doesent prove fruitful,I suggest using an automotive stethescope.

 

ive got a constant ticking coming from my superdute from the torque converter area. not sure what it is. doesnt seem to be affecting the drivability of the vehicle.

 

Hey guys,

I have an '02 with v8 Triton that has this annoying ticking as well! It seems to only tick when I accelerate. The sound definately comes from the passenger side of the engine compartment. As soon as I ease off the gas and "coast" or "maintain speed" the noise goes away. I just put half a can of Seafoam in the oil and the other half into the gas. I'll have to wait and see if it is just a sticky lifter.

 

was wandering how you made out with the ticking....I have the same problem with mine and it is driving me nuts.

 

I have the same problem, when its cold i hear a ticking noise and when i take off it gets louder with the rpms seems to do it less when its warm. Doesnt seem to be affecting it very much just annoying.

 

The Seafoam did not solve the problem. I still hear the ticking. It got no better and no worse!

 

I have a bought new 2002 F-150 with the 4.6. 4 years ago it developed what sounded exactly like a leaking exhaust manifold tick. Even my very good mechanic said so. But he noted that he could not find any evidence of an exhaust leak.

I either read here or over at BITOG about the early power improved, PI, Triton engines of 1999/2000 to 2002 vintage that had cooling issues which caused sticking valves, due to heat, in the rear cylinders and the "exhaust tick sound". I used an oil treatment that is added 1 oz per quart of oil added at time of oil change, ie 6 quarts of oil for OCI then 6 oz's of LC20 then 1 oz every 1,000 miles. After about 1 to 2 months the tick went away and hasn't returned. I continue to use the LC20.

It may be a coincidence, I'm not pushing a product, but I'm just relating my experiences.

Whimsey

 

I might add when my truck starts to tick, I can not hear it when it is idleing only when It is put into gear does it start to tick. Any ideas?