RC3

I have a 94 5.0 and recently I have been hearing an intermittent tick under hard throttle only.. Its a pretty loud tick.but again it is only under heavy throttle while driving. You can sit in the engine compartment all day and rev it up too the limiter if you wanted too and not a peep.. But if you are say highway driving at 3k rpm and mat it.. It ticks away... And other times not a peep... Its really got me confused\nervous. Does anyone have any suggestions?? I'm leaning toward header leak because of the intermittance.. I would figure a mechanical tic would happen at all times not just under load.. Feel free too leave any suggestions!!! Thanks!!

dawson1112

Have someone cover the tail pipes while its idling, any exhaust leaks will become pretty noticible.

RC3

Ok I will give that a shot tomorrow thanks alot

99GTvert

Would they cover for only a few seconds at a time? Im just curious because if there is no leak then the exhaust would basically build up and have nowhere to go.

88 orangepeel notch

I've actually tried this, and you'd be surprised how hard it is to plug up the exhaust enough to kill the motor. A " banana in the tailpipe" does not work lol.

dawson1112

Just someone hlding there hand over the tail pipes or even smother it with a rag, you would play hell trying to stop it completely with or with out a leak, but it will ,make the leak more pronounced.

RC3

Am I crazy too think its an exhaust leak like I said its intermittent under hard throttle.. My buddy said possibly a lifter but I would think anything mechanical would clack all the time... I can work the throttle in the engine bay and go all the way through the rpms with no noise..

88 orangepeel notch

When your hard on the throttle, the motor is moving around from the torque. Causing the exhaust to move with it. The headers or any exhaust joint make expose a leak under those conditions.

Derf00

Is it a tick or a sound like a ball bearing in a coffee can? Coffee can sound is timing related (Pinging). The fact that it's only under a heavy load makes me feel like it's actually pinging from the timing being slightly over advanced or because the engine is running hotter than normal or you've got some dirty filters. Replace your plugs if you haven't in a while, check your air filter, and replace your fuel filter. If that' doesn't work, Try a higher octane fuel (if it's available). If none of that works, retard your timing a degree or two.

RC3

Thanks guys I will give it a shot and keep u posted