Ticking noise

[FLG]

Hey guys/gals,

Not really a problem, but its getting annoying. I have a noise which sounds much like lifter noise, but the thing is if the car is in neutral its louder; but if i put it in park its low or almost non-existent. Since there is no RPM difference from park to neutral im thinking its the linkage making the noise. But i just wanted some other opinions as to what it could be?

Thanks,

Frank

[1BAD68]

I'm thinking it could be the flex plate bolts.
They kept loosening on me last summer and made a ticking noise until I used locktite on them.

[FLG]

Checked the plate, all the bolts seem fine. Could not find any cracks either. Any other ideas?

[hutch]

valve sticking?

[FLG]

I dont think it has anything to do with the engine. It becomes almost non existent in park and quite loud in neutral. Also it does seem to increase with RPM. Besides that noise the car runs great.

[Charger-Bodie]

sometimes an exhuast leak can sound like a tick.

Does it have manifolds or headers?

does it do it cold or get worse as it warms up?

[FLG]

Has stock manifolds, also seems to be more obvious after the car is warmed up. While i was underneath it i saw that the driver side exhaust pipe was a little loose on the manifold so i tightened it up, i have the pulleys off and am waiting for 440 source to get me my crank pulley...so cant say if that fixed it.

[Charger-Bodie]

I had a tick once that I swore was a lifter.....turned out the exhaust manifold had a fine crack in it and it would open up more as it warmed up.

[Brock Samson]

because of the different sound, depending upon the trans selection,.. i would guess the flex plate or something trans or torque converter related,.. i had that problem last may... and i thought the trans was toast when a simple flex plate tightening solved the problem.
I'd look at that again... my 

[FLG]

Alright Brock, ill take a look again tomorrow morning. I didnt notice any bolts loose, but ill have someone crank it while im underneath to make sure i didnt miss anything. A

[The Kid]

sometimes an exhuast leak can sound like a tick.

Does it have manifolds or headers?

does it do it cold or get worse as it warms up?

I had a tick once that I swore was a lifter.....turned out the exhaust manifold had a fine crack in it and it would open up more as it warmed up.

I've had the exact same problem. I thought my brand new motor was already going south. It was leaking at the manifolds. It's not too hard to find an exhaust leak, just don't get burned!

[firefighter3931]

Sounds like an exhaust leak to me. 


Ron

[squeakfinder]

I keep having this problem. But I've got headers and the noise is coming from the right rear where it bolts to the head.

My spark plug porcelain looks clean on the plugs nearest the leak. But if your running a little rich, your plugs might have black soot on them near the leak if the problem is between the manifold and cylinder head.

Or there might be a sooty wring around your exhaust manifold flange where you tightened it.

[Back N Black]

Get a buddy with a rag and block the exhaust at the tailpipe, you should be able to find the exhaust leak no problem. It will be a hissing noise at the leak or more pronounced sound at the manifold.   

[Steve P.]

Did you try to tighten the converter bolts or just look to SEE if they LOOKED loose? Sometimes the flex plate will make it look like the bolts are tight and they are not. Also if you DIDN'T lock-tite the threads I would pull them out one at a time and get some lock-tite on all of them. Good insurance.

[FLG]

I physically tried to tighten them. They were fine. Still have the noise, i dont think its an exhaust leak because that does not explain the fact that in neutral its louder and in park its almost non existent, its also noticeable in drive. It does increase with RPM's and eventually cannot be heard. I'll try to record the sound tonight. It sounds like metal tapping on metal. I would think lifters, but again...does not explain the noise almost going away when put in park.

[Steve P.]

So is it a tick, a knock or a rattle??

[FLG]

Well, i guess everyones definition of tick, rattle, or knock is different. But its not a knock, or rattle, its well what (me personally) would call a "tick", put it this way...sounds very close, if not; just like lifter noise, and well "then it is" but again, the whole disappearing act in park. This is why i think its just something on the linkage making noise and tapping against something, i would say it moves with RPM because its just vibrating with the engine...but i have yet to locate the source.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Loose spark plug?

[FLG]

Nope, all are good.

[Steve P.]

Have you been under the hood while someone else is shifting from Park to Neutral and back? Linkage rattling around??

[Savage6]

I just had the same sort of problem.  It was a flex plate bolt that needed replaced because the threads on the housing were bad.  I just used a longer bolt with some loc-tite and the noise stopped.  At first it did sound like something in the lifters.  I know you said you checked the flex plate but I just figured I would let you know how I fixed mine.   You dont think it could be the exhaust pipes rattling against something do you?

[FLG]

Steve, will give that a shot tomorrow. Also, Savage i will again check the flex plate...still have had to tick the engine over myself so it is possible i double checked the same bolt.

[Steve P.]

Rotate the motor by hand and make sure you check ALL the bolts.

[FLG]

Heres an update. Tonight i come home with the noise once again, this time i take a look before i put her away. I do know some sounds can bounce off things and sound like there coming from somewhere else, but i am almost positive this "tick" sounds like its coming from the tail shaft area of the transmission. I do have to fix the slow leak, but i always make sure its topped of..so fluid was not low. Could a clogged filter be the problem? I cant see what else it might be and i dont have too much know how about the inner workings of a tranny.

Edit: I will also do a more through look tomorrow morning, hearing the car idle at 3 am cant make the neighbors happy. Screw it, im going to change the fluid in the morning...smells a little burnt. I've had the car for a couple of months and havent changed it yet, think its overdue. Cant kill these 727's can ya?