New trip to Service Today.....

[MI2QWK4U]

I had mentioned in another posting that I was taking the car in for a couple minor things, but mostly for them to go over the motor as best as possible before I do the supercharger. The engine tech noticed what he called a "tick" sound coming from the passanger side rear of the engine compartment. It ticked in proportion to the rpms the motor turned, more rpms resulting in a faster tick sound. This will be the main point of interest tomorrow when they dive into it. Car runs fine though. Any suggestions as to what it might be? I am new to these 4.6 motors.

They are also going to inpect the rear end and axels for that problem mentioned in earlier posts, and will install the aftermarket SVT differential girdle cover when they button it back up.

They are going to redo the wiring harness that some have had a problem with chaffing through where it rubs on that sharp bracket on the firewall.

They will look at the rear body bushings out and see if they need attention as some here have discovered.

I am more than a little concerned about that engine ticking sound though.....

I will give the service department crew credit, they don't hesitate to look at anything I am curious about, or think may be a problem. I think they have come to understand that the Marauder owners are not your typical Mercury customer, and that we expect they to approach the car from an enthusiest's point of view. They know when I walk in with a concern, I have a printout from this forum to help them fix the problem! The mechanics ask for a copy for themselves. The heavy engine tech I mentioned understands what I am after, and why I want them to check things out before the blower gets installed, and are bending over backwards to accomodate me and work with me to ease my mind over loosing part of my warranty! Hats off to Stu Evans L/M in Clinton Township, Michigan.

[Fast4Door]

Your tick may be an exhaust leak from one end or the other of your EGR tube. Or a fuel injector or a lash adjuster (in the old days we called them "lifters").

[TripleTransAm]

I didn't consider the EGR tube, thanks for the suggestion. I'm getting a similar ticking sound looked at tomorrow morning.

[RCSignals]

hopfully it isn't timing chain tensioner noise telegraphing.

See the post about an issue brought up on BON, but I think it concerns SOHC engines, not DOHC

[TripleTransAm]

It's at the rear driver's side. Like I mentioned in another thread, I really hope this tensioner crap is SOHC-only... I'm getting kind of fed up with seeing all the corners Ford cut when it comes to engineering. Thinking of metal or nylon shavings circulating around my engine after wasting so much energy worrying about what oil weight to use for maximum longevity... well, it makes me want to HIT someone.

[prchrman]

they use nylon to keep it quiet not to go cheap...

[MI2QWK4U]

Fast, those were my first thoughts, either a lifter knock or exhaust leak. Hopefully they will know sometime this morning and let me know. I will post the results when I get them.

[merc]

All of this sounds very familiar to me. I reported a ticking sound from my engine and was told by the L/M service manager that it was caused by injectors and not to worry. 4 Months later my engine was replaced and a hole was detected on the upper most p***enger side catalytic converter. One thing that stands out in the 500 plus miles of driving my new engine is the ticking sound has gone away, or better stated, is not apparent on this motor.

[TripleTransAm]

Please do post the results of this dealer visit. My favorite tech had a close look at my ticking and couldn't determine where it was coming from. He might have to keep it at the dealer overnight to have a listen to it when cold.

He was unable to determine whether it was coming from under the valve covers or if it was injector-related, or EGR related, but was very interested in knowing what was the result of this thread. I'll bring along any suggestions to him next time we meet, in a week or two.

He said if it was his car, he wouldn't be too worried about the noise, but admitted that it just didn't suit the car's image too well, making it sound like an old car... and hence he is very curious to get to the bottom of it.

[clabbercastle]

I'm one of the new guys on the Marauder scene - just got mine on July 31, and I am far from a qualified mechanic. However, I noticed in the Blue Oval News a 29 July article by Robert Lane - it states that the 2003 Mustang Cobras Have defective engine cylinder head valve guides in the left hand cylinder head, which exhibit an unusual engine noise during engine idle. Lane says this is considered a "silent recall" by Ford. Another article in Edmunds Marauder road test indicated that the Marauder uses essentially the same engine as the Mustang Cobra. Could this be an indication that the Marauder may have the same cylinder head problem as the Cobra?

Ernie/ 03 Marauder Stock
"Black Beauty"

[GodOSpeed]

I just got done checking over my car today (after an apparent stalling while stopped in drive). Checked all my fluids and inspected all wires. Fired her up, the first thing I didnt like is the way the tensioner shudders when idling. I lisened to her for a while and stuck my thumb in and reved her up a bit . Smoothened right out. Sounded good from up top. I then stuck my head under the drivers door and what do I hear?! Ticking coming from what I belive to be the lowerblock/oil pan area. Great Just FN GREAT! I then thought/wished that I might have got some bad fuel and that was this knock sensor thingy goin' off. I shut off the car and flipped the switch back to the stock program... No such luck still there! 9/02 300A BMDO 12K

[looking97233]

I've got the tick too. Also I have been noticing a rough idle and the car has stalled a cupple times wile idleing in drive. Haven't had time to have it looked at yet.

[TripleTransAm]

Yep, that's the way the tech described it. Can't localize it from up top, but close the hood and suddenly you notice it's coming from underneath the driver's side of the engine bay area.

Keep the ideas coming....

[GodOSpeed]

Any tick from down below can't be good. DatsallIgottasayboutdat.

[jgc61sr2002]

clabbercastle - Welcome to the site enjoy your new ride.:up:

[RCSignals]

clabbercastle, our engines are more like the previous cobra engines. All aluminum.
There was an early problem with the new cobras, the line was shut down to rectify it, and inspect all completed cars. BON likes to talk about "secret recalls" but they aren't really recalls at all, just TSBs to alert Techs when they are problem solving.
The Cobra alert is most likely to catch the very few that may have slipped through.
I don't think it affects the MM at all

[TripleTransAm]

Started a new thread with a more specific thread title, as a result of what we isolated this morning:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4470

[sailsmen]

For $20 I woul do an oil analysis, particularly before S/C is put on the car.

I used Amsoil because I thought they would give good service and they have.

Go to Amsoil's website and order some sample kits, it's good insurance!