So I have this ticking under the truck on the passenger side. I took a PVC pipe around truck to identify source and I think I have it down to exhaust after the exhaust manifold flange. There is like an elbow with a heat shield where the noise is concentrated in. Has anyone had a similar issue and what did it turn out to be? That portion of the exhaust is connected to the cat. Do these pipes tend to crack around there?

 

The manifolds warp and break a bolt and cause a leak... Usually more prominent on the passenger side on a 5.4.

 

Exhaust leaks tend to be louder when cold and quiet down when warmed up. These trucks tend to have manifold problem among many other things. It's crazy the amount of problems theses truck have, I love my truck anyway. Even though she ticks when warmed up.

 

The ticking is louder when cold but does not go away when warm. I visually inspected exhaust manifold and I can at least state with certainty that all bolts are in place and there are no obvious cracks. I'm suspecting the exhaust manifold to exhaust pipe connection. Went to advance auto and they could not locate a gasket in their system for that connection. Is there a gasket in there? Has anyone had a leak in that connection and if so how was it resolved?