I hear this sound that kind of resembles knocking. No metal bits in the oil though. Could it just be a bad lifter tick? How do I figure this out? I’ve read that some Ford I-4s have intake flappers that can cause noise if they come loose. Any ideas?
That sounds similar to what I dealt with when my flex plate was messed up.
Sydney said:
That sounds similar to what I dealt with when my flex plate was messed up.
I feel like the sound is coming from the head area, not near the transmission. I’ll check again. I’ve been using a mechanic’s stethoscope to try to locate it, but it’s still not clear.
I’ve got the same exact noise. Mine’s at 180k now and I’ve never bothered fixing it.
Sounds like something with the valve train in your video, but hard to tell for sure without being there. Try using a long screwdriver as a stethoscope—put one end on the valve cover and the other on your ear. Be careful with loose hair near the pulleys.
@Amy
I’ve been using a mechanic’s stethoscope around the engine. It seems like it’s coming from the head area. The noise is pretty loud, so I’m not sure if it’s safe to keep driving.
Fox said:
@Amy
I’ve been using a mechanic’s stethoscope around the engine. It seems like it’s coming from the head area. The noise is pretty loud, so I’m not sure if it’s safe to keep driving.
If it’s that loud, you might want to pull the valve cover and take a look.
What engine do you have?
Cliff said:
What engine do you have?
Looks like a 2.5L Duratec.
Cliff said:
What engine do you have?
Yeah, it’s the 2.5. My bad for not mentioning that earlier.
Cliff said:
What engine do you have?
Yeah, it’s the 2.5. My bad for not mentioning that earlier.
That engine is known for having issues with the valve buckets. Over time, the clearance between the bucket and the camshaft can change and cause noise. Fixing it is a bit of a project since the cams have to come out. If you’re up for it, you could replace the timing components while you’re in there. Or try adding a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil to see if it quiets things down first.
Mine sounds a bit like that, but not as loud. Once the engine warms up, the noise goes away. I was told it’s normal. I bought my 2014 2.5L SE at 40k, and now it’s at 85k with just a slight tapping sound.
Could be your camshaft bolts if the engine revved really high.
That’s normal, man. Mine does the same. It’s louder at startup but then settles down a bit.
Does that engine have a timing chain? It almost sounds like the chain is hitting the valve cover. Another possibility could be loose camshaft caps. Those were a weak spot on the older 2.5 and 3.0 engines.
@Vincent
Not sure. I’m planning to pull the valve cover and take a look.
Fox said:
@Vincent
Not sure. I’m planning to pull the valve cover and take a look.
I checked, and yes, it does have a timing chain. But I’m not convinced that’s the issue. I’d suggest looking at FordTechMakuloco’s videos on YouTube. He talks about these engines a lot. One thing he mentions is that a cracked cylinder might make a noise like this, but it’s usually not a big deal. Someone in his comments said they’ve had that sound since 45k and now have 203k with no problems. His videos are a great resource, and he’s based in Chicago if you’re nearby and want professional help.
@Vincent
Thanks for the info. I’ll check out his video and compare it to the noise I’m hearing.