Clicking sound when pressing accelerator
01-13-2011, 03:48 PM
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Clicking sound when pressing accelerator
I'm new to this forum, so thanks for reading.
2004 F-150 FX4 5.4L 101k miles
A couple of weeks ago I started to hear a clicking sound on the highway. I immediately thought it was an exhaust leak and took it to my exhaust buddy. Unfortunately you can't hear the "clicking" sound at idle so he used a stethoscope. After his review he said that there was no exhaust leak, but he did hear a clicking sound closer to the lifters. I told him all Fords make that sound.
After that I made it a point to better understand the situation. First off it only makes the clicking sound under load (gas pedal depressed). The "clicking" is really close together and accelerates as the truck accelerates.
The RPM doesn't matter, its only when the gas pedal is depressed.
The sound definitely is coming from the front passenger side (i thought the exhaust leak was going to be right after the manifold, not so much...)
Oil is changed every 5k with Mobile 1 syn 10w-30 and shes topped off.
The sound seems to get worse when shes warm, which is interesting...
Other forums I've read suggest:
1. C/V joint (mine doesn't click when I'm turning in a parking lot)
2. Exhaust (nope)
3. Torque converter...maybe, someone explain???
4. Loss of vacuum
Again, I can only hear it with the radio down and pressing on the accelerator (more prevalent when warm). I'll be doing 35mph coasting and not hear a thing, but as soon as I give her some gas, click, click, click...like an exhaust leak near the header.
Any direction is greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much,
Matt
2004 F-150 FX4 5.4L 101k miles
A couple of weeks ago I started to hear a clicking sound on the highway. I immediately thought it was an exhaust leak and took it to my exhaust buddy. Unfortunately you can't hear the "clicking" sound at idle so he used a stethoscope. After his review he said that there was no exhaust leak, but he did hear a clicking sound closer to the lifters. I told him all Fords make that sound.
After that I made it a point to better understand the situation. First off it only makes the clicking sound under load (gas pedal depressed). The "clicking" is really close together and accelerates as the truck accelerates.
The RPM doesn't matter, its only when the gas pedal is depressed.
The sound definitely is coming from the front passenger side (i thought the exhaust leak was going to be right after the manifold, not so much...)
Oil is changed every 5k with Mobile 1 syn 10w-30 and shes topped off.
The sound seems to get worse when shes warm, which is interesting...
Other forums I've read suggest:
1. C/V joint (mine doesn't click when I'm turning in a parking lot)
2. Exhaust (nope)
3. Torque converter...maybe, someone explain???
4. Loss of vacuum
Again, I can only hear it with the radio down and pressing on the accelerator (more prevalent when warm). I'll be doing 35mph coasting and not hear a thing, but as soon as I give her some gas, click, click, click...like an exhaust leak near the header.
Any direction is greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much,
Matt
Last edited by Mmckinlay; 01-13-2011 at 04:15 PM.
01-13-2011, 04:21 PM
#3
thats weird, we dont have the same year and you have the exact same problem as me, real fast clicking or ticking when pressing the gas, does yours do it when you rev in park or neutral? i tried that and it will only tick/click when i rev and its in gear. let me know if you find the solution, im stumped
01-13-2011, 04:30 PM
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Ticking is a better way to describe it. When its warm I can get it to do it a little when I rev it in neutral, but I could be confusing it for the noise coming from under the valve covers.
Most prevalent when in drive and pressing on accelerator.
Short of hanging under the vehicle at 45mph while on the accelerator I'm not sure how to identify it.
I can say that the more that everything is under load the louder it is.
The most basic description is when the car doesn't down shift. The tranny is in 3rd or 4th and you press down the accelerator and the tranny doesn't down shift its the loudest.
Most prevalent when in drive and pressing on accelerator.
Short of hanging under the vehicle at 45mph while on the accelerator I'm not sure how to identify it.
I can say that the more that everything is under load the louder it is.
The most basic description is when the car doesn't down shift. The tranny is in 3rd or 4th and you press down the accelerator and the tranny doesn't down shift its the loudest.
01-13-2011, 04:43 PM
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TLW613SP:
No, I wouldn't discount your theory. I did take the time to do some extensive research on the oil viscosity because I too wondered that.
What I surmised from my research is that it's not the problem, but I might switch back for my next oil change just for the heck of it.
Although I do think for total engine life the 10w-30 is going to be a better oil in the long run (not going to meet CAFE standards). a 5w just seems a little thin for the 5.4 if you know what I mean.
I do a lot of towing of light boats (maybe 3000lbs) (not of heavy equipment)
Keep the thoughts coming, thank you.
Matt
No, I wouldn't discount your theory. I did take the time to do some extensive research on the oil viscosity because I too wondered that.
What I surmised from my research is that it's not the problem, but I might switch back for my next oil change just for the heck of it.
Although I do think for total engine life the 10w-30 is going to be a better oil in the long run (not going to meet CAFE standards). a 5w just seems a little thin for the 5.4 if you know what I mean.
I do a lot of towing of light boats (maybe 3000lbs) (not of heavy equipment)
Keep the thoughts coming, thank you.
Matt
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01-13-2011, 04:47 PM
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Exactly right 2000MTZ:
Take away the sound of the exhaust and you hear it well (under load).
Hence, no exhaust leak (Edited...i was wrong this is an exhaust leak at the manifold. If you press on the gas pedal and the tranny doesn't shift its still sucking more air in the throttle body and pushing it out the exhaust ports. Loss of vacuum of course.)
Take away the sound of the exhaust and you hear it well (under load).
Hence, no exhaust leak (Edited...i was wrong this is an exhaust leak at the manifold. If you press on the gas pedal and the tranny doesn't shift its still sucking more air in the throttle body and pushing it out the exhaust ports. Loss of vacuum of course.)
Last edited by Mmckinlay; 01-14-2011 at 05:06 PM.
01-13-2011, 06:45 PM
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One more thing to add.
There is a DIRECT correlation between engine RPM and the noise.
Which in my mind knocks out the C/V joint theory.
Anyone else have experience with this???
MM
There is a DIRECT correlation between engine RPM and the noise.
Which in my mind knocks out the C/V joint theory.
Anyone else have experience with this???
MM
01-13-2011, 07:01 PM
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Yeah i have an 05, can hear a little at idle but disappears, only under load/acceleration it comes, SO annoying. My oil is the normal, jsut changed still the same.
