my neighbor came over and asked me if i could help him figure out his engine noise! he has the 2005 4.0l auto mustang, and it makes a loud tapping noise that sometimes double rapps and sometime gets quite. i put a stethoscope on it and the noise is the loudest on the d/s back on the tappet cover and the exhaust manifold. all the other places i checked had noise but that noise sounded like normal tappet noise. he has no codes no lights on in the dash and the oil light goes off as soon as he starts it, so i do not think he has a bad rod at this point. i have heard of the timing chains on the 4.0l engine giving people fits and making noise but i have yet had to diagnose it for anyone.

so can anyone shed a bit of light on what i have given for issues? he said the oil looked whitish but i did not see it, they changed is and he said they put some cleaner stuff in it and that is a bit whitish but could be the cleaner.

oh and sometimes it makes a squealing noise but i have yet to find where that may be coming from. thanks bp.