Engine Ticks
5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 26
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Engine Ticks
It sounds like you have 2 separate problems. 1 with the lifters ticking (assumption) and then a shifting problem with the tranny.
For the ticking sound, start the motor and open the hood. See if you can narrow the ticking down to a particular portion of the motor. Crawling under the truck is pretty easy since it sits so high. JUST DON'T STICK YOU FINGERS NEAR THE PULLEYS!!! I know that sounds silly, but look at the number of mechanics with 9 fingers. Odds are, you are going to find the ticking either on the top of the motor at the valve covers or on the front of the engine with the pulleys. If it is with the lifters (top of motor), I would recommend getting some lifter cleaner and follow its directions very close (some are for 15 minutes prior to an oil change, some are for 3,000 miles). I have had good luck getting motors to perform smoother/better after a single treatment. If it is coming from the front of the motor, first check the serpentine belt for signs of aging/cracking/abuse from something hitting it. Then, with the motor off, run your hands around each of the pulleys and see if there is something in close proximity of a pulley and then remove that item.
Odds are, you will find it is a noisy lifter and the cleaner will fix the problem.
For the tranny, when was the last time the tranny fluid was changed? If within 30,000 miles, should still be good. Is the tranny fluid still bright red? If it is turning brown/dark, you may want to look at changing the fluid. If you have 2 different people that drive the vehicle about the same amount of time, you may want to disconnect the battery from the vehicle for a few minutes and let the computer reset itself and see if that corrects the problem before getting the fluid changed. I say that only because the truck tries to learn you driving style and will shift the truck accordingly. With 2 (or more) people driving a vehicle, it can get "confused".
I hope this helps.
Chris "Thermo" Coleman
For the ticking sound, start the motor and open the hood. See if you can narrow the ticking down to a particular portion of the motor. Crawling under the truck is pretty easy since it sits so high. JUST DON'T STICK YOU FINGERS NEAR THE PULLEYS!!! I know that sounds silly, but look at the number of mechanics with 9 fingers. Odds are, you are going to find the ticking either on the top of the motor at the valve covers or on the front of the engine with the pulleys. If it is with the lifters (top of motor), I would recommend getting some lifter cleaner and follow its directions very close (some are for 15 minutes prior to an oil change, some are for 3,000 miles). I have had good luck getting motors to perform smoother/better after a single treatment. If it is coming from the front of the motor, first check the serpentine belt for signs of aging/cracking/abuse from something hitting it. Then, with the motor off, run your hands around each of the pulleys and see if there is something in close proximity of a pulley and then remove that item.
Odds are, you will find it is a noisy lifter and the cleaner will fix the problem.
For the tranny, when was the last time the tranny fluid was changed? If within 30,000 miles, should still be good. Is the tranny fluid still bright red? If it is turning brown/dark, you may want to look at changing the fluid. If you have 2 different people that drive the vehicle about the same amount of time, you may want to disconnect the battery from the vehicle for a few minutes and let the computer reset itself and see if that corrects the problem before getting the fluid changed. I say that only because the truck tries to learn you driving style and will shift the truck accordingly. With 2 (or more) people driving a vehicle, it can get "confused".
I hope this helps.
Chris "Thermo" Coleman
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seebeew
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Jul 19, 2001 11:51 PM
