New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Topic: New Clicking Sound from Engine Update! (Read 5374 times) previous topic - next topic

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

August 01, 2010, 08:12:12 PM

On my 1987 5.0, I've developed a clicking sound in the engine compartment. The noise happens when you are acceleration, a little, at WOT, or anywhere in between. It doesn't happen while idling, or coasting down a hill etc. Speed doesn't matter, if i am maintaining 30mph, or 80mph, it doesn't make the noise. It appears to have started after I did my intake gasket swap, but it could be coincidental. I tried tightening the bolts on the intake just to be sure, but that didn't stop the noise. It seems to be a clicking or ticking noise similar to an exhaust tick. But it appears to be coming from higher up, somewhere near the intake. I can't seem to pinpoint it, as I need two people, one in the car with it running with it in D, one foot on the brake one on the gas a little.

I know it's a stretch, but I thought maybe someone might have suggestions, or had a similar problem.

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Reply #1 – August 01, 2010, 11:20:35 PM

It could be an intake leak. How does it run? Usually with an intake (vacuum) leak the motor runs like .

Edit: I just read your other thread and you said you pulled the distributor. What is your timing set at? You could be pinging if the timing is too far advanced.

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Reply #2 – August 02, 2010, 08:20:58 AM

I'm going to check the timing today. I didn't have a light. The more I think about it, the more I think it might be something to this affect. But it does itpretty consistantly, not like when under a severe load or whatnot. It seems to be coming from like near the pcv valve, but the engine is so hot you really can't get close.

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Reply #3 – August 02, 2010, 12:52:39 PM

What has to be disconnected on the newer cars to check timing? Is there a procedure on the forum anywhere?

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Reply #4 – August 02, 2010, 01:33:55 PM

pull the spout connector (the little black recangle bear your dizzy) Then your base timing should be 14 degrees. Then lock down the dizzy and shut her down and re install your spout connector.

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Reply #5 – August 02, 2010, 02:17:23 PM

Quote from: Cougar8775;330393

pull the spout connector (the little black recangle bear your dizzy) Then your base timing should be 14 degrees. Then lock down the dizzy and shut her down and re install your spout connector.

Factory spec is 10* BTDC for the SEFI 5.0 cars.

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Reply #6 – August 02, 2010, 07:42:01 PM

I was having the same noise at the same times from my car. I thought it was worn rocker arm/ push rod. I replaced them but still there, so next I thought its got to be the lifters. Just over the weekend I tore it all apart to put a h.o. cam in it. The stock cam is worn bad, the timing chain had a little play, and the lifters looked fine. But I went ahead and bought new lifters and timing chain set just to be safe. The timing set is still on its way, so after I put it back together I hope it solves my noise. I hope this can give you more ideas, if the timing is at 10*, of where it look.

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Reply #7 – August 03, 2010, 08:46:03 AM

I checked the timing, it was spot on at 10*. I read a couple of places a lot of the guy run them at 12-14 for performance, so I bumped it up to 12. I see no difference in the noise. I'll bump it back down to ten when I get home.

I don't think it's the cam, this noise started after I replaced the intake gasket. It has to be related to something that was taken apart. I'm going to check the plugs tonight when I get home for signs of something. I don't know what it could be.

I was going to try to run the car at like 8* too, but I can't turn the distributor that far back, it hits the elbow for the thermostat. Is this normal? The engine only has about 82k miles on it, I would think the cam would still be good. Everything was well maintained on the car before I got it and did the engine swap.

Could this somehow be related to my oil leak through the PVC valve? In thread: http://foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=27260

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Reply #8 – August 03, 2010, 10:00:00 AM

Are you sure you got the distributor in right? I can turn mine without hitting anything.

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Reply #9 – August 03, 2010, 12:51:17 PM

The distributor turns, but the plug that connects to it, the TFI I believe will hit the thermostat outlet if I turn it clockwise too much.

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Reply #10 – August 03, 2010, 08:27:00 PM

Did I mention this only happens in drive, and not in park or nuetral? I don't know if that makes a difference, but it makes me think there isn't something in the motor like debris from the intake gasket swap, or a bad cam or something.

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Reply #11 – August 03, 2010, 08:36:02 PM

Ok , this may sound strange , but did you by any chance check your fan shroud to see if the fan is contacting it ,
Sometimes when leaning over the front of the engine you can tweak the shroud if you put any weight on it .
The upper mounting holes are usually slotted/elongated and they can move just enough to touch the fan.

Take a peek:D

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Reply #12 – August 03, 2010, 10:04:24 PM

Thats a good idea, but it is definitely coming from the engine. It sounds like a ping/rapping noise. I was fearing that some part of the gasket got lodged in the motor during the swap, but where it doesn't happen in park or neutral, and only when in drive, and accelerating, I'm ruling that out. It has to be something timing/ignition related, I would think.

Is is possibly my timing is right at 10* but the cylinders aren't firing right? What I mean is, by this is before I did the intake the TIF was positioned midway between the upper radiator hose and the alt. bracket, and the car ran fine. After removing the dist. the TIF is right up against the thermostat housing, the car runs okay, but it makes this noise under load. It could be ping, a bad ping... Would it be in my best interest to remove the dist. move it one tooth the other way and them position the TIF back to where is was before the intake swap and try to see if it runs better. Does this make sense? I don't want to waste the time doing all this if you guys don't think it'll work. Just a though. Other than this, I am out of idea.

Is there a knock sensor on these motors(1987 5.0). Where is it, how do I test it?

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Reply #13 – August 03, 2010, 10:14:19 PM

Quote from: jpc647;330640

Thats a good idea, but it is definitely coming from the engine. It sounds like a ping/rapping noise. I was fearing that some part of the gasket got lodged in the motor during the swap, but where it doesn't happen in park or neutral, and only when in drive, and accelerating, I'm ruling that out. It has to be something timing/ignition related, I would think.

Is is possibly my timing is right at 10* but the cylinders aren't firing right? What I mean is, by this is before I did the intake the TIF was positioned midway between the upper radiator hose and the alt. bracket, and the car ran fine. After removing the dist. the TIF is right up against the thermostat housing, the car runs okay, but it makes this noise under load. It could be ping, a bad ping... Would it be in my best interest to remove the dist. move it one tooth the other way and them position the TIF back to where is was before the intake swap and try to see if it runs better. Does this make sense? I don't want to waste the time doing all this if you guys don't think it'll work. Just a though. Other than this, I am out of idea.

Is there a knock sensor on these motors(1987 5.0). Where is it, how do I test it?

It would definitely not hurt to remove the and reset the distributor, It is possible it is off a tooth and it won't cost you a dime .

New Clicking Sound from Engine Update!

Reply #14 – August 03, 2010, 10:51:16 PM

Does the pinging/rapping noise go away after the car's warmed up? Does the sound start after it's had a chance to warm up?