Clicking/ticking sound until warmed up

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JTKustoms

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Was just reading another thread and people were talking about the ticking sound until the engine has warmed up. Mine has been doing the exact same thing lately, was hoping someone could explain it a little more to me. Any fixes or is it even a big deal?
 

FordandPolaris

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Yeah mine has done the same thing for years. I have heard that it can be something with the timing chain, but I do not know the specifics. Does it go away completely once the engine is warm? I know mine does, and I am going to try and run a thinner oil than I am now, and see if that helps things. I switched to 10w-30 about a year ago, so we'll see.
 
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JTKustoms

JTKustoms

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Yeah once it gets up to normal temp it seems to go away. I only started noticing it the past couple months. But I don't put too many miles on it, so I haven't changed the oil since I started hearing it
 

bnegaard

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Ticking

Typically there are two places that will tick in an engine.

1-Lifters not getting oil fast enough or valve train wear-causing loose push rods and loose rockers. Often this is just an old engine but if you flush the engine out really well and check your rocker arms for play you might be able to eliminate it. Later model motors seem to do a lot better at this-I would say at over 150k you start seeing this. One of the culprits is running regular oil and not doing adequate oil changes causing build up in the oil passages of the motor. The other culprit is the oil pump going bad. I run synthetic anymore because it does a better job all the way around-less build up and faster pump up during start up.

2-Exhaust leak near the head. This can be cracked manifold, broken or loose bolt(s), EGR leak (or any other tube tied to the exhaust system), or bad gaskets at the manifold-head. While you can run the engine for a long time like this you can cause other problems. Excess heat in the engine compartment will cause all kinds of problems in the long run. A direct leak somewhere may melt rubber or wiring. Not to mention causes computer problems (read bad gas mileage) .
 
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JTKustoms

JTKustoms

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If its an exhaust leak then why does it go away after it warms up? Components expanding when they get hot?
 

stamp11127

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I had the same thing on the one I recently picked up / currently working on. Nice loud tap until warmed up. Did an oil change over the weekend using the correct weight. Guess what - no tap, even after sitting for two days. Go figure, never had that happen before. Mileage is 202681.
And I'd like to whip the idiot that put the a/c low side port on the accumulator drier, took me a while to find it. Evil minds at Ford I tell ya.
 
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JTKustoms

JTKustoms

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So the oil change fixed it? I usually do oil changes myself but I had a local place do my last one since I don't have a garage and it was the middle of winter....that could be my problem
 

Lane24

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Mine did it since I bought it 5 years ago... When I put the gap guards in for the body lift, I couldn't here it as much. So the lesson is.... lift your truck, and everything will be fixed. I'm just sayin.....:naughty:
 
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stamp11127

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Yep never had that happen before. Simple oil change with a decent brand of oil and tap is gone. The old oil was very dark brown - blackish, close to the color of diesel oil. I'm sure the clearances inside are getting to the max anyway. Just seemed strange that it stopped so fast.
 
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JTKustoms

JTKustoms

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I'll try the oil change then, seeing as its probably the easiest thing to try. Lol and as much as I do love the lifted expo's on here, I still prefer the low look
 

stamp11127

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If you know the brand of oil that is currently used and the amount of miles on the oil it may not help. No reason to do an oil change early. I didn't know either one so it was just part of my pm routine while getting it back in shape for the road.
 
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JTKustoms

JTKustoms

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Well I know the miles on the oil but not the brand of it since I did t do the last change, I mean it can't hurt anything to change it early
 

CARO'S98EB

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It seems wrong but exhaust leaks between the head and exh manifold often stop when heated up.
 

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