ticking noise, sound familiar?

[wrapumup]

I purchased a new to me 96 cobra. I hear a tick, tick, tick, tick, fairly faint for about 10 seconds approx then it goes off for about the same then back on. To me it does not sound like engine noise, more like air conditioner or heater fan, although I turn those off and the radio and still get it. From all I can tell it sounds to be coming from the passenger side, perhaps out under the hood? Anyone heard of this? A guy at ford said let it go, probably too hard to track. Thanks for any help.

[99RedCobra]

sounds like either an exhaust leak at the head, or maybe low oil pressure. try changing your oil

[dewone]

It could be as simple as the fuel injectors. They can make a ticking noise.

[tazzracing1]

I would go with the injector noise.

[cobrachris]

How Does The Car Run? Injector Noises Would Maintain A Constant Tick. Does The Car Have Stock Exhaust And Headers?

[wrapumup]

The car runs good, to me it doesn't sound like an engine, lifter noise, and as I said it is pretty constant, but it seems to do it for 10-15 secs, then stop for a few seconds then on again, I would not think lifter noise would stop at all. It is pretty faint but enough I can hear it. I may try some injector cleaner of some kind, it may need it anyhow. Thanks for the replies. Don't know a lot about the mustangs, always like to learn more.

[wrapumup]

Sorry forgot to answer, I don't believe it has headers, the cats are gone, bassani h pipe and some kind of flowmaster muffler.

[Maxxb0y]

I have the same problem I think. It happens to me when the car first starts and will keep doing it as the RPM's get higher. I used some belt dressing and it seems to have slowed down but it is still there. I noticed that the compressor pulley locks on and off as thie noise happens. This, even when the AC is not on.... i am clueless, wantto clear up this grinding type noise myself.
Maxx

[ProfChaos]

I purchased a new to me 96 cobra. I hear a tick, tick, tick, tick, fairly faint for about 10 seconds approx then it goes off for about the same then back on. To me it does not sound like engine noise, more like air conditioner or heater fan, although I turn those off and the radio and still get it. From all I can tell it sounds to be coming from the passenger side, perhaps out under the hood? Anyone heard of this? A guy at ford said let it go, probably too hard to track. Thanks for any help.

I am currently in the process of having a '96 Cobra engine completely rebuilt, so I can speak to this ticking issue from experience, and from having spent many dollars. If the noise seems to be coming from the top-front-center of the intake manifold, you likely have a problem with the bottom end, and the noise is radiating up through the engine. Also, I have discovered, sadly, that with the 4.6 DOHC modular engine, bottom-end problems such as worn main and rod bearings can sometimes also lead to oil-starvation problems that can cause premature wear of piston rings and a lack of oil to one or both heads, leading also to lifter knock. (Sometimes problems can be cumulative, and the ticking is merely a symptom of the first-cause.)

In short, the best approach initially to diagnosing the source of the ticking noise is to get a referral for your area and have an SVT-certified modular motor specialist give you a preliminary diagnosis, with stethoscope and such. Also, be cautious about paying big Ford dealership bills ($1200-plus for lifter replacement in one head alone), when lifter-tick might well be a "symptom" and not a "cause."

I don't enjoy being the bearer of bad news, but if the ticking noise is not the air conditioner compressor, injectors, or alternator, it might possibly be that you are in for a fairly costly engine rebuild. This can sometimes cost between $2000 and $4000 US (parts and labor), depending upon whether both top and bottom need to be done. Even so, my view is that you are often much better-off having the engine rebuilt than you would be by buying a junkyard or Ebay Cobra engine, as you might end up--as I did--buying an engine that just ends up ticking like the previous one did, shortly after you have it installed. The good news is that with a rebuilt engine--expensive as a rebuild might be--, you still have the consolation of knowing where you are in terms of engine longevity. (Cobra modular engines tend to run for a very long time if they aren't overheated and the oil is synthetic and changed at reasonably frequent intervals.)

Also, another way to go if indeed your engine is horked might be to buy a Ford Racing Naturally Aspirated Cobra Long-block (http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=9871) and then trade your '96 Cobra intake for a Mach 1 intake to fit with the '03-'04 heads of the Ford Racing long-block. That would give you a much more bullet-proof, new engine.

Best wishes on an affordable and thorough solution.
cheers,
--Professor Chaos