M13STX

Hello All,

I'm in great need of your engineering expertise. I have a 2013 SCAB 5.0 STX with a manufacturing date of 11/12, 750 gentle miles...and an engine that's tic-tic-ticking me off! It's a rhythmic tic that does not sound like a knock. Brought it in to be looked at by a local dealer and they were able to narrow down the origin of the sound with a pipe stethoscope to somewhere in the right side of the exhaust manifold just short of the cat. The tech was stumped, sought assistance through Ford Engineering and got the "It's normal for now, drive it through the break-in period and bring it back in". The engine itself seems to run smooth performance wise...for now. I searched the forum through and through and saw only one other issue with a timing chain tensioner that did not behave like the issue I'm experiencing. Any feedback would greatly be appreciated. Thanks

AZ_boy

On my 13 5.0 I've noticed the injectors are pretty loud. I really notice it when I'm going through a drive through with the window down. I would keep bugging the dealer if it bothers you. At least you have a record in case something goes bad down the road.

mechanicboy

If the tech narrowed the sound down to the exhaust manifold it is not injectors. My suggestion is drive it hard now and then, after it has warmed up of course.

jcain

For curiosity sake, what was your last vehicle? And how knowledgeable are you with today's vehicle's technology?

CDC5.0

My 2011 5.0 ticks, so does every other 5.0 I've heard at idle. Its the injectors. I was concerned about this at first cause I had never heard injectors that loud. Having said that my previous vehicle was a 2004 Taurus with a 3.0 Vulcan that was developed in the 80's so the technology was fairly old.

All modern engines have pretty loud injectors, they work under high pressure which (as far as I know) helps to better regulate the fuel delivery. Direct injection motors are even worse.

As long as it remains a tick and doesn't turn into a knock I wouldn't worry.

M13STX

I appreciate the quick replies. I know the distinct sound of the injectors when they kick on...it's not that, it's a constant rhythmic tic that is present upon start-up, through warm-up, at idle, at acceleration and in fact speeds up with acceleration. Kinda like a wet metallic scratching sound, like a whisk striking a stainless steel bowl when mixing something. When the windows are up I don't hear a thing other than the powerful purr that should be present. My buddy has the same exact truck, 13' build date at Michigan, (mine is KC)...no tic. Another buddy has an 11 XLT with the 5.0...no tic. Like I said, it performs as it should and I was getting 19 mpg all day today at 65 mph avg. My sole concern is that something is amiss and where Ford says drive it through the break-in period and I do just that and then it turns out there's a bad head or exhaust manifold that should be taken care of immediately, I don't want to get stuck with a 4 month old truck with a repaired engine when they should replace the motor while it's so new. I realize that's worst case scenario. Thanks again.

sullyman

Yep, it's likely the injectors. They are loud, to an extent, but seen to get a little quieter with break in. They're still not as loud as the ones on my wife's Rodeo, now those are loud!

That said, you should floor your truck from time to time during the break in to properly seat the rings. This engine does well when broken in a little hard. Mine got one daily hard run up to 500 miles, then I drove it harder. Never lost any oil, like manyhave reported on here, who broke their engine in too gently.

M13STX

So even though the tech all but pinpointed the source down by the exhaust manifold, you still think it's the injectors? I can hear the injectors and the tic separate from one another when the hood is open. The tic is constant even when the injectors fire a distinct series of activation. Would the injectors echo down into the exhaust manifold?

rumblin46

Can you get a video of it running?

TeamZambo

Mine tics as well. I just fix it the way I fix all annoying sounds, blast the tunes!

If you think our tic is loud, have you heard the 08-current Cadillac CTS' with the 3.6 Direct Injection? My wife has one and it sounds like a diesel tic. Now that's loud!