jjeddy4

Hey folks I need some help (obviously).
I recently bought a 1998 F150 4.6L V8 and when I was driving it I heard a ticking noise. The noise sounded like it was coming from my left front tire. It only made the ticking noise when I accelerated. If I put it on cruise control or in neutral it would stop. Even when I was at stop lights it would not make the noise. Another thing I noticed is that when it would shift gears it would shift decently hard.
I have read other forums and I have been told it could be the exhaust manifold. However, the guy I bought it from just replaced the manifold so I know it is totally fine (unless he did a crap job).
Does anyone have a solution or an opinion on what it could be other than the exhaust manifold? Im thinking spark plugs. Hopefully. Im a college kid so I don't have mucho bucks to just take it into a shop and say "fix it".
Thanks for the responses!

Jbrew

What you need to do pronto, = Make absolutely sure the plugs are all torqued down. It can be like a ticking time bomb, they tick before they blow. Once they blow, chances are good for damaged plug chamber threads.

Yes it could be exhaust, usually they leak at the rear of manifold after the exhaust studs deform or break off. This happens when the Trans mount wears out, pulls the exhaust down 3/4" , - trans, crossmember are then metal to metal with downward pressure on the rear exhaust studs. All drive-line vibrations transfer to rear studs (exhaust manifold), eventually fatiguing and snapping them off. If the previous owner changed the manifold without changing the Trans mount, it may be leaking again.

PCV valve, they can make all kinds of noises, even mimic a rod knock, check it, clean it out.

jjeddy4

Okay Ill do that. Im in the process of flushing out the anti-freeze right now. So, as soon as I am done with that project I will test the plugs. Would this also affect my shifting as well?

Jbrew

I don't think so. Clean the MAF Sensor, that can inhibit shifting. Unless you have a TPS dtc.

jjeddy4

Okay Ill go ahead and do that. Ill reply ASAP with results. Thanks for the quick reply!

jjeddy4

Alright all is done and the noise is gone now!
I tightened the spark plugs. All of them seemed to be at the right torque and if they were off only be a hair. Either way the noise is gone. Thanks so much for the help!