MOTOR ISSUES

Razorback · Jun 23, 2009

I've got a 1994 Mustang GT with a good old 5.0 motor in it. The motor has 176,000 miles. About two days ago, my motor started making a tapping sound from the passenger side cylinder bank. At first, one would think it would be a stuck lifter. The more I think about it and research the sound, the less I'm convinced that its something so simple.

The tapping gets worse when the motor is under a load, it runs quiet at idle, or when it is at a constant RPM. This leads me to believe that it could be something more complex, such as a rod, or a valve.

I'm hoping its a lifter, I'm not financially prepared to rebuild my motor yet...

Has anybody encountered a situation like this with their 5.0?

Is there anyway to diagnose the sound so I can pinpoint what the problem is (without tearing into the motor)?

Paul · Jun 23, 2009

How's your oil level?

MustangChris · Jun 23, 2009

get a automotive stethoscope from checker for $1.99 and listen around. you can also use a screwdriver, but i find the stethoscope much better.

Razorback · Jun 23, 2009

Paul said:
How's your oil level?

I changed it last week. Its full.

uncltrvlnmatt · Jun 23, 2009

A exhaust leak could easily be mistaken as a valve tap. Especially if it is at the manifold gasket.

302Feen · Jul 1, 2009

uncltrvlnmatt said:
A exhaust leak could easily be mistaken as a valve tap. Especially if it is at the manifold gasket.

I agree that it's probably just an exhaust leak from your headers.

Go through, and tighten all your header bolts. Start from the middle two bolts and work your way out. Start your car and let it get WARM not HOT then tighten the header bolts again the same way. If that doesn't work you might have blown a header gasket...