Ticking Noise

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Cynthia Grant

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Apr 21, 2003
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2003 ST w/ 113K miles -- Anyone ever had a constant ticking noise from under the hood when the vehicle is idling? I can't pinpoint when I first started noticing it, but I think it's pretty recent. It happens when the truck is in Park and also when in Drive and I'm stopped at a light, etc. Not sure if it continues while driving, since the noise is not loud enough to hear over the wind noise.



The truck seems to be running fine, but I'd like to know what to look out for if the sound is a warning of some impending problem. I'm not a mechanic, but I've been religious about getting oil changes and scheduled maintenance.



Thanks!



 
i have an 02 with 219000 kilometres with a similar noise i think its a pulley up front gone bad on mine but i wouldn't be surprised if a little valve rattle was present to (in mine). You can pull the belt and feel the pulley's for play or worn bearings. I have it on my list of things to do once school is out in a few weeks. the other thing you can do is take it to your regular mechanic and explain what you hear and they can check it out...im always asking my mechanic questions about small noises or how to do things etc.



Hope that helps

Mike

 
What kind of ticking noise is it?

Is it a constant, high-speed ticking (tick, tick, tick, tick) or a slower, more sporadic ticking (tick.......tick.......tick)



The reason I ask is because when the heater or AC is on in the truck, it is common to hear a click every so often from the engine compartment.
 
Jimp i have heard of injector tick but never thought it would be loud enough to hear with the hood closed. hmmmm.

Side note why do we not have a thinking smiley?



Mike
 
Are you past an oil change? If not try running 10w-30 or 10w-40 with those many miles.

It may qiuten the valves. If not you may have bad hydralic lifter.
 
Cindy, I may have the same problem. I didnt notice it when I first got the truck with 89,000 on it, but maybe a year later or so. My 01, now with 135,000 on it, also makes a constant tick at idle. I have tried to locate where it was coming from, and it seems to be loudest from the Alternator, using a mechanics stethescope. (This was checked with the engine warm, all accessories and AC off)



It has been charging fine, and seems free with no bearing play when spun by hand. (Belt removed of course) This does not affect how runs in any way, and its been doing this for over 20,000 miles now. I dont see anything stuck in the belt and it is in very good shape, The idler and tensioner are tight and do not wobble.



I just was considering this the "Nature of the beast" so to speak, and just lived with it, but now you have me wondering. Does anyone know if there is perhaps a relay of sorts inside the Alternator that may be cycling on and off?
 
Could be electricity coming out of one of the spark plugs wires and arcing on to some metal somewhere, I've had that happen before. Not in my trac though but it would apply to most vehicles.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I will check the belts, plus the truck is just about due for an oil change and annual inspection, so I'll have the mechanic check the things that all of you mentioned.



Mr. Rugby -- Congrats on reaching over 200K miles! Hope to do the same with mine. What's your secret?
 

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