head tick

98saleen88

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recently my 98 just hit 50,000 miles and ever since then i have been hearing a tick from the drivers side of the motor....when i first start up the motor you dont really hear it...after the car warms up u hear it anywhere from idle to about 2200 rpm....could this be a stick vavle or what else can it be...........and if it is a sticky vavle or sumthing along that line wat would be my best repair option..............thanks guys........
 

MustangChris

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First, change your oil. see if that fixes the problem.

fuel injector? run injector cleaner through gas system (i personally suggest seafoam,) if problem persists replace injectors.

valve follower? (maybe?)... rebuild heads.


my V6 mustang knocked too... it turned out it was a blown main bearing, or a thrown rod, or something, i was young and didnt know what the heck was going on.


does the knock get louder? or softer? or stop? or get faster with higher RPMs? id pop off my valve cover and take a peak in there.....
 

realitygt

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well easier than replacing injectors would be to run something thru their. and if nothing happens, then disconnect each injector, and see if it fixes it.

it could even be something as simple as some carbon build up on the valve
 

nyuk98gt

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98saleen88:

Could be a failed lash adjuster. You can pop off the follower and pull the lash adjuster and then bleed out the oil by carefully and gently compressing it in a vice or blowing compressed air alternately into the end and side holes. If the spring is broken in it, you'll know it. A lash adjuster is not very expensive.

If it is an injector, you can easily identify it using a mechanics stethoscope, a piece of tubing or a long screwdriver held up to you ear with the other end on the injector.

HTH,

Chris
 

MustangChris

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nyuk98gt said:
98saleen88:

Could be a failed lash adjuster. You can pop off the follower and pull the lash adjuster and then bleed out the oil by carefully and gently compressing it in a vice or blowing compressed air alternately into the end and side holes. If the spring is broken in it, you'll know it. A lash adjuster is not very expensive.

If it is an injector, you can easily identify it using a mechanics stethoscope, a piece of tubing or a long screwdriver held up to you ear with the other end on the injector.

HTH,

Chris


whats a lash adjuster?
 

nyuk98gt

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MustangChris:

It is the little cylindrical plunger device that keeps the follower from getting loose it rides the cam lobe. Oil (under pressure) keeps the little piston pushed against the roller of the follower. If you have a Haynes manual or shop manual (or, you can 'google' it), you'll see what I'm talking about.

HTH,

Chris
 

MustangChris

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nyuk98gt said:
MustangChris:

It is the little cylindrical plunger device that keeps the follower from getting loose it rides the cam lobe. Oil (under pressure) keeps the little piston pushed against the roller of the follower. If you have a Haynes manual or shop manual (or, you can 'google' it), you'll see what I'm talking about.

HTH,

Chris

i have a set of PI heads complete with valves and valve springs, PI cams (attached to the PI heads), and a baggy fully of brand new followers.... lol and i still dont know what it is...

ill try my haynes and chilton and see where i get.. lol. thanks for the help :happydrunks:
 

DropTopPony

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Check your spark plugs ASAP.... one of the signs that a spark plug is about to blow out is a ticking noise. Check and make sure they are all tight.
 

MustangChris

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DropTopPony said:
Check your spark plugs ASAP.... one of the signs that a spark plug is about to blow out is a ticking noise. Check and make sure they are all tight.


whys that? what ticks? :crazy2:
 

DropTopPony

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MustangChris said:
DropTopPony said:
Check your spark plugs ASAP.... one of the signs that a spark plug is about to blow out is a ticking noise. Check and make sure they are all tight.


whys that? what ticks? :crazy2:

Not sure why it ticks or gets louder, just a sign that has been noticed over the years by guys who have had them blow out of the 2V heads or have caught them before they blew. I'm thinking of putting in timeserts in all my plug wells so i never have to worry about it.
 

MustangChris

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DropTopPony said:
MustangChris said:
DropTopPony said:
Check your spark plugs ASAP.... one of the signs that a spark plug is about to blow out is a ticking noise. Check and make sure they are all tight.


whys that? what ticks? :crazy2:

Not sure why it ticks or gets louder, just a sign that has been noticed over the years by guys who have had them blow out of the 2V heads or have caught them before they blew. I'm thinking of putting in timeserts in all my plug wells so i never have to worry about it.


blow out? as in... out of the motor? isnt that common in windsor heads?... from what ive been told.
 

DropTopPony

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yes blowout, the plugs loosen and back out slowly then launch out of the head ripping the few threads with them. I have Ported Windsor heads and it would suck to turn them into $2000 boat anchors. So i f i hear a tick i check my plugs.

It happens with some Romeo heads also.... The 03-04 PI heads have more threads but still can have it happen.
 

MustangChris

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DropTopPony said:
yes blowout, the plugs loosen and back out slowly then launch out of the head ripping the few threads with them. I have Ported Windsor heads and it would suck to turn them into $2000 boat anchors. So i f i hear a tick i check my plugs.

It happens with some Romeo heads also.... The 03-04 PI heads have more threads but still can have it happen.

ill remember that... lol... thats terrible...
 

nyuk98gt

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DropTopPony:

EXCELLENT advice! I forgot about that pre-pop tick.

MustangChris:

Here goes: Look at the valves and directly behind the valve (in line with each) is a hole about 1/2" in diameter. This is the socket where the lash adjuster sits. It's possible that the LA's are sitting in the holes now in those new PI heads.

98saleen88:

Please post back with an update. It would be good to hear if you found a loose plug before it launched out.

Chris
 

MustangChris

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nyuk98gt said:
DropTopPony:

EXCELLENT advice! I forgot about that pre-pop tick.

MustangChris:

Here goes: Look at the valves and directly behind the valve (in line with each) is a hole about 1/2" in diameter. This is the socket where the lash adjuster sits. It's possible that the LA's are sitting in the holes now in those new PI heads.

98saleen88:

Please post back with an update. It would be good to hear if you found a loose plug before it launched out.

Chris


OOoooo... no, mine dont have those yet... thanks for pointing them out though :)
 

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