Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Tick...Tick...Tick???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 3, 2009 | 06:08 PM
  #1  
STROKER350's Avatar
STROKER350
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Shenandoah Valley in Va
Tick...Tick...Tick???

Any idea what is causing a "tick tick tick" noise and smoking (blue) when I stop for a light. Sounds like the ticking is coming from the drivers side. It just started doing this all of a sudden. Thanks.


2001 F-350 4x4 AT 125 k miles
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2009 | 06:35 PM
  #2  
jk_hooper's Avatar
jk_hooper
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: Uniontown KY
Do you have anything done to the truck?
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2009 | 06:43 PM
  #3  
F350-6's Avatar
F350-6
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Some more info would be helpful. When you stay tick tick tick, the first thing that comes to mind is an exhaust leak, but if it's a leak you can hear, then you're probably noticing a loss in MPGs and less power. For that check your up pipes for soot stains.

The blue smoke doesn't fit for an exhaust leak. How heavy is the blue smoke? Does the truck idle rougher than it used to? First check to make sure the engine oil is full and not overdue for an change. Could be an injector acting up on you. Those can tick when they start to act up.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2009 | 06:53 PM
  #4  
zx250's Avatar
zx250
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
Club FTE Gold Member
What happens when you accelerate to WOT?
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2009 | 08:39 PM
  #5  
STROKER350's Avatar
STROKER350
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Shenandoah Valley in Va
Just running a Superchip on tow safe. I pull a 30' fiver and this is when I first noticed the Ticking noise and light blue smoke. The smoking only occurs when I come to a stop. It does blow a lot of black smoke when I accelerate and it doesn't downshift. Have noticed lack of power/general sluggishness too. Sounds like I need to hook up to good code reader and see whats up. Oil is new and full to the mark, air filter and fuel filter good to go.
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2009 | 08:26 AM
  #6  
STROKER350's Avatar
STROKER350
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Shenandoah Valley in Va
Does this help?
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2009 | 08:34 AM
  #7  
Kwikkordead's Avatar
Kwikkordead
Fleet Owner
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Originally Posted by STROKER350
Does this help?
Yes it does, sort of.
If this was my truck, the first thing that I would do is remove the valve covers, and check the torques on the rocker arm pedastals, plus the injector hold downs.
I had about 75k on my truck when I did that the first time and every injector was loose. About half of the bolts holding the rocker pedastals down were loose.
After that service was performed, it sounded like I had just rebuilt the engine!
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2009 | 08:35 AM
  #8  
Kwikkordead's Avatar
Kwikkordead
Fleet Owner
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
As an additional thought, I'm suspicious that your smoke and tick might be simply a loose injector that needs to be tightened back down.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 4, 2009 | 08:42 AM
  #9  
STROKER350's Avatar
STROKER350
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Shenandoah Valley in Va
Thanks Kwik, I'll get that checked. At least that could be a cheap fix. Congrats on your new programmer. I'd like to get another one, but lately it seems the truck is vacuuming up any loose money laying around!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DesertSmoker
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
4
Sep 5, 2018 04:48 AM
ncred02
6.2L V8
9
Feb 19, 2015 04:20 PM
emgee
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
15
Feb 7, 2015 10:47 AM
F350Man79
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
11
Jul 28, 2014 07:59 PM
FUJINAMI1293
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
1
Jul 17, 2012 11:04 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:30 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE