Hi Folks,

Starting to get "ticked off" trying to find what's causing this one:

Truck is a 2004 Heritage 7700
5.4 2v
4r100
73k miles

-Hot weather and climbing mountain passes induces the ticking noise.
-Only starts ticking after about 20 miles.
-Not present at cold startup.
-Usually stops ticking under low load scenarios (flat, low speeds, etc.)
-Occurs in Drive, Park or Neutral -Transmission mount and fluid look good.
-Louder on passengers side.
-Can't feel any puffs of air escaping at the manifold or collector.
-All manifold and collector studs and nuts are present and tight.
-No rattling when tapping the catalytic converters with a soft mallet.
-Tried a leaf blower in the tail pipe and soapy water to find an exhaust leak.. No bubbles produced.
-Probed around valve covers, oil pan etc with a mechanic's stethoscope - nothing obvious to me.


My best guess is an exbaust leak, but I sure can't find it.

Really appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

 

Possible hairline crack in the manifold.

 

For 73K, that motor sure makes a lot of noise. That tick sounds like a tap to me in the top video.

 

Sounds like dry noisy lash adjusters. Most likley from using the incorrect viscosity oil at some point.

 

Thanks for the replies, fellas!

Unfortunately, this one is still eluding me.

It's loudest with a mechanic's stethoscope at the catalytic, so I thought it might be a prime example of TSB 04-20-6, but 2 exhaust shops in the area checked it out and said the noise isn't anything to do with the catalytic, exhaust manifold, etc.. Honestly, I'm still not convinced.

Just replaced all the lash adjusters and roller followers (Melling parts) but still no luck.

When I pull the PCV, it doesn't become any louder - shouldn't it become louder when doing this if it is something on the top end?

Speaking of top end.. Everything looked pretty clean to me - the regiment of Motorcraft 5w-20 and FL820s every 5k seems to have payed some dividends.. but it could have had a hard life prior to me buying it. Definitely some scoring/scratches on the cams, but nothing that would catch a fingernail.. still not awesome looking though.

Here's some picts with the valve cover off:


Cylinder #1

Cylinder #2

Cylinder #3

Cylinder #4

My debacle sounds very much like what this dude went through.. but unfortunately he never posted up what resolved it.

Not a fan of firing off the parts cannon and crossing my fingers..

Hoping you guys can point me in the right direction!

Any advice, insights or recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Joe