Taping or ticking noise from engine

[Gage2502]

So on my 2000 Expedition 5.4L 4x4 I just hit 100K miles on it a few weeks ago...it started to make a taping or ticking sound about 2k miles ago Its coming from the engine and I think its the top half....
The noise is louder when the engine is cold and gets quieter when it warms up about 15min drive. The noise also varies with the throttle.
I have been using Motorcraft 5w20 and Motorcraft filter.
Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[toms89]

My first guess(s) would be:

Exhaust manifold leak common with the expys due to rusted off studs. Nothing major but annoying.

Spark plug working loose also common and this leads to plug being ejected so it should be checked asap.

 

[Gage2502]

My first guess(s) would be:

Exhaust manifold leak common with the expys due to rusted off studs. Nothing major but annoying.

Spark plug working loose also common and this leads to plug being ejected so it should be checked asap.

Would any of these issues make the tapping sound vary with engine RPM?
Thanks

 

[toms89]

Would any of these issues make the tapping sound vary with engine RPM?
Thanks

Ticking sound yes. Tapping sound not as likely but the spark plugs can if loose.

They would vary with engine rpm and load.

Tapping sound can be valve train related. Can you post video with sound??

 

[Gage2502]

Ticking sound yes. Tapping sound not as likely but the spark plugs can if loose.

They would vary with engine rpm and load.

Tapping sound can be valve train related. Can you post video with sound??

Ill try to make a video...I only have a cell phone camera so I dont know if thats going to work....
Thanks for the info...
Also I did replace the plugs in 2009....there only about 6K miles on the plugs.....Ya I dont drive this truck much...
I think I should re torque the plugs.
Thanks

 

[Gage2502]

Heres some videos I just made....sorry if the sound isn't great I made these with my cell phone....
Thanks

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Y1TERBVqMJo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oAYaPP0GUQ8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/admc8y8NXo0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Gage2502]

Top Of Engine - YouTube

Passenger Side1 - YouTube

 

[BakerEdition]

I wouldnt panic, My 2000 has been making that noise since I bought it 3 years ago with 77K and it now has 105k..It seems to vanish after it warms up...and when its at operating temp I hear nothing...I have tried different oil brands and weights, K&N oil filters, Motorcraft, and Wix which is napa gold brand. I have found the best to be Mobil-1 5w20 full synthetic and a Wix oil filter. I have had people tell me its everything from piston connecting rods, to cam phasers, timing chains....all I know is my gas mileage is way above factory stats, it runs like a ***** ape, idles good...so when and if it breaks we will all know here what it was...I hate the noise...but it goes away...I cant fix what I dont know is broken...

 

[Gage2502]

Ok so I just checked the spark plugs to see if any on them was loose, all are good. I have to change the oil this week and going to take a better look at the exhaust manifold bolts to see if any are missing.

Could the noise be a bad main bearing? What would that sound like?
Thanks

 

[BakerEdition]

better think about some upper control arm bushings...

 

[bcmaxx]

I have the same noise exactly on our 2v 5.4 expy, pinpoint to front top of passenger bank. Tried oil flush, and replace oil and filter with motorcraft from the dealer, replaced pcv. Sometimes you cant hear it but more than not it is present. As hard as it is to do, I've put it out of my mind as I've been told by others it is not abnormal. heard stories from a baffle in the valve civer loose, to noisy chain guide..

 

[toms89]

Difficult to tell from the video. Pretty sure it is not rod knock. It would be much more pronounced and get significantly worse with load. I would guess valve train related. You see a fair number of issues with timing chain tensioners on higher milage expys so thats a possibility. If they get worn or loose enough the chain may slap around. Guarantee its not cam phasers as the 2V motors have none.

If you get a mechanics stethoscope you may be able to pinpoint the noise helping greatly.

 

[Gage2502]

Difficult to tell from the video. Pretty sure it is not rod knock. It would be much more pronounced and get significantly worse with load. I would guess valve train related. You see a fair number of issues with timing chain tensioners on higher milage expys so thats a possibility. If they get worn or loose enough the chain may slap around. Guarantee its not cam phasers as the 2V motors have none.

If you get a mechanics stethoscope you may be able to pinpoint the noise helping greatly.

Thanks ya its strange.....when the engine is cold you hear it more and than when its warmed up it almost goes away.....

Thanks for replies..

 

[Gage2502]

better think about some upper control arm bushings...

Ya going to replace them soon....I started to replace the bushings with the Energy Suspension brand.

 

[98eb5.4]

Thanks ya its strange.....when the engine is cold you hear it more and than when its warmed up it almost goes away.....

Thanks for replies..

fwiw got a 98 ~ 3 years ago with ~ 370 clicks (kilometers) and the same issue,

now at ~ 430 clicks with no change

 

[docraymund]

Your audio sounds like it"s coming from a worn piston pin. Your engine may need to be overhauled.

 

[bcmaxx]

fwiw got a 98 ~ 3 years ago with ~ 370 clicks (kilometers) and the same issue,

now at ~ 430 clicks with no change

thats reassuring, hate the noise, but I dont want to replace an engine if its not needed. Is your noise louder cold, like on first startup? mines sounds like a little troll tapping the block with a mini ball peen.

It also comes and goes, or cannot be heard sometimes (it is not the manifold either)

 

[98eb5.4]

thats reassuring, hate the noise, but I dont want to replace an engine if its not needed. Is your noise louder cold, like on first startup? mines sounds like a little troll tapping the block with a mini ball peen.

It also comes and goes, or cannot be heard sometimes (it is not the manifold either)

hear it on cold starts and initial warmup, when we first got the truck home and i heard the noise, I couldn't believe i missed it when i checked it out, could be the prior owner warmed it up first,

it sounds like a very light knocking or tapping

motor has been flawless otherwise having only to deal with a water pump (leak) and starter motor

 

[bcmaxx]

hear it on cold starts and initial warmup, when we first got the truck home and i heard the noise, I couldn't believe i missed it when i checked it out, could be the prior owner warmed it up first,

it sounds like a very light knocking or tapping

motor has been flawless otherwise having only to deal with a water pump (leak) and starter motor

I run an auto repair facility and didn't catch it. So don't feel all so bad haha

 

[alaskanexpy]

mine has had a slight tapping..not really a knock but anyhow its done that since the truck had 60k miles on it.

only really hear it on cold starts and warming up @ idle.

now with almost 93k miles no change in sound and runs/drives perfect! i just dont worry about it.

trust me though, it sounds much worse when its -30F outside and the truck has not been plugged in!!