Just picked up a 1998 cobra with 40K on the body and 10K on the engine that was installed in 2003 from the Ford Dealership (have paper work to back it up). I can hear a tick coming from the engine when I drive past houses or I am next to cars. When I open the hood I can't hear anything. I went under the car (jacked it up) to listen, I didn't have alot of time so I did a quick check to see if I could hear the noise under. It is more apparent under the car. I didn't check the headers, but other than that would else could be making this ticking noise? Its noticeable at idle and also as the RPM's escalade. I need your help guys.
Posts: 2015
Joined: 9/24/2006 From: Wake Forest, NC Status: offline
Sounds like exhaust. What does it have in the form of exhaust? You said headers, does it actually have headers? (as opposed to the stock exhaust manifold) Does it have a midpipe? Catback? The most common places for the exhaust leak are either where headers bolt up to the engine or where the headers connect to the midpipe (especially on the damn passenger side).
Everything is stock, so no I don't have after market headers. I crawled under the car (jacked it up) and I couldn't pin point the noise. Its in the lower driver side. What could go wrong in that area? Anyone know what parts of the engine can wear out that will/can cause a tick/click?
Posts: 2015
Joined: 9/24/2006 From: Wake Forest, NC Status: offline
Hmmm... well, it could still be exhaust of course, that just seems less likely with stock exhaust becuase it hasn't been messed with. Can you describe what kind of ticking it sounds like? Does it sound metallic or does it sound like it might be something like exhaust? Also, does it keep time with the engine? Does it get louder and faster as you rev it?
The ticking gets faster as the RPM's arise. The guy I purchased this car from had installed a new SVT engine at 38K the car currently has 44K. He hardly drove it, the new engine was installed in 03 so the damn warranty is out!
The tick is sort of like when you click a pen (you know the clicking pens), its gets faster as you drive it. A mechanic told me he would pin point it for me for 20 bux, he was cool.
So what happens when its a head tick??? How much for the parts/labor? HELP
r u sure the whole engine is new, or just the bottom end?? also, age of the motor doesn't necessarily mean anything. All it takes is a serious over rev to break a lifter in the head, or down shifting one gear too many....
The whole engine was replaced, I have receipts showing the total price was 6K out the door with the engine and labor from the Ford Dealership. The guys seemed like he was kick back and didn't drive it much. He said that he had it in the garage alot and hardly moved it. Unless his stupid son messed with it or overrevved it or something.
Well the tick is around the driver's side header area. Its a TICK TICK TICK TICK sound, its always apparent and constant, if the RPM's rise the tick becomes faster. When I am above 4K RPM I can't really hear the tick, maybe because of the exhaust. The idle is constant but the engine kind of shakes slightly and it can be felt while in the car. HELP PLEASE
remove ur driver side valve cover! u can't work blind guy! u can only tell soo much by just sound, u need to take a look inside. im assuming, since u own a cobra, u know how to work on it, so take off the valvecover and let's see whats going on....
I sure hope so, im going to do that right now. I am going to jack up the car and start working for sure. Hopefully thats the problem, when I looked under yesterday the bolts seemed like they were tight. But I didn't touch them because the damn exhaust was hella hot.
The exhaust manifold's are tightly screwed in, I didn't see or feel any that were becoming loose or were not there at all. SO I can basically say that it isn't an exhaust problem
I am going to take it to the mechanic today so he can pin point the noise and maybe he can give me a diagnosis.
I have the same problem with a 96 cobra engine that has 53kmi on it. It's very apparent under the car and when I drive past houses or another car. I thought it was exhaust tick from my LT's but..NOOOOO It's lifter tick! Put a long screwdriver to the valvcover bolt. Put your ear to the end of the screwdriver and you will blatently hear the tick. I was pissed when I tracked it down. I had the valve covers off and the lobes on the cams looked perfect! The tick will become louder over time and then start to knock like the minivans from the mid 90's...lol My truck is a 4.8 GM with the notorious knocking sound. It has done it since 34kmi and I have 76kmi now. Hasn't changed a whole lot. It certainly won't go away! I was hoping for a sticky valve, but unfortunately I think I was reaching a bit far. Keep up on those oil changes and maybe put a 1/2qt of Lucas stabilizer every oil change???
I think its lifter tick also, I took it to the mechanic and he told me that I had nothing to worry about that some engines make noise and others dont and that I have to deal with it or just trade it in for another car if I didn't want it. I said screw it ill just keep it. I heard that rislone will cure lifter tick, im going to give it a try. I just did an oil change with fully synthetic Napa Oil with a Napa Gold filter, it didn't do much though.
ur mechanic, is he experienced with cobras, because there is NO reason for those motors to be ticking, if they are perfectly healthy, and it sounds like he's giving u bs advice... so basically he's telling u that ur doomed to be driving with that noise for as long as u have the car? i dont trust him...
Hes a local mechanic that I took it to. He went under the car with a stethoscope and also did a check up on it. He said he could hear the ticking sound everywhere and that it didn't sound like it was bad. He told me that some mustangs have that ticking, its inevitable on some engines. He advised me to change the oil and check for lose metal just in case, other than that he told me not to worry about it.
im going to go take it to my local Ford dealership, they charge 127 for a diagnosis test. Those bastard better tell me whats wrong with it and how much to fix it.
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1998 Cobra Engine Ticking - 
