bikemikeb

ok, first the basics: 2000 mustang gt, 5 speed with a short throw, 3.73 gears, nitto drags, maximum motorsports lowering kit with bilstiens.
PROBLEM: when my 4.6 is cold, everything is fine and dandy. but when it gets warmed up there is a ticking noise coming from the back of the engine on the passenger side when ideling. but heres whats weird to me. it ticks 3 times then stops for a couple of seconds, then 3 more ticks, then stops and so on. Also, when i am crusing along at about 3000 rpm i get a much louder ticking noise when i gently push the gas down or hold the gas steady. when i hit the gas hard though, it goes away and there is no noise when i slow down. i have had a couple people tell me what they think is wrong, someone said that shes spittin plugs, one said sticky lifter, and one said rod knock. so i really have no idea. any help or opinions would be very much appriciated.

Mike

oxfordgt

Well for one you dont have lifters in your engine, if its the plug better check them all right now before you drive the car again and a rod knock would be constant and speed up with the rpm. My bet would be on a plug or exhaust leak.

micheal0484

could be the timing chain tensioners like mine was, sounds like it....but it would be from the front of the passenger head

ben790450

Header gasket exhaust leak maybe

bikemikeb

so yeah, i took it to a local mechanic today and he thinks that it might be a rod bearing. man down for me.

livefast1

to me it sounds like a valve problem. you say the sound isnt consistent. remember that the cam timing turns at half crankshaft speed so if the sound is very inconsistent its possible you may have a valvetrain problem.

96GT226410

+1 on valve tap.

Sxynerd

The valves can make a racket if they get screwed up even a little.