Ticking, tapping, diesel sounding engine

[1 BAD 03 MM]

Starting a poll to see who has these noises. I know these engines make a certain "sewing machine" noise, and have "injector" noise, but I am refering to any other unusual noises.

[derik]

Almost 30,000 miles (by the end of the week anyway) and no "unusual" noises. Am I a lucky one? No, the car has been as good if not better than other vehicles I've owned. I'll buy Ford again, and definitely American.

[CRUZTAKER]

It's on my dealers summer to-do-list. Cam ticking...:(

Great op to get the valve covers powder coated.:rock:

[MAD-3R]

Uhmmm...
All of the above??

My stroker makes some funky noises at idle.

[marauder307]

Getting some "ticking" at idle, may be normal. Within the last week, I've started noticing some valve noise when cold at low rpms; it's not too bad but the idea of any valve noise at all on an early production MM (6/20/02 build date) is disconcerting. :confused:

[TripleTransAm]

Although my MM is currently silent (more so due to the dead battery), it used to have the ticking-at-idle malaise... thankfully it's been fixed up as per BON info...

[Silver_04]

Quiet as can be since day one.

[wm1964]

No noise here! Unless you count the wife screaming "Slow Down".:bounce:

[TripleTransAm]

Tough poll to conduct, by the way... it doesn't take into account model year, or mileage. My '03 was quite at one point early in life, but by 10000 miles I am sure it was already ticking in full glory.

[TAF]

I think the only time mine will ever "tick"...is when my wife finally plants that bomb inside the engine bay...:bounce:

[jgc61sr2002]

I think the only time mine will ever "tick"...is when my wife finally plants that bomb inside the engine bay...:bounce:


Sounds familiar. :D

[LNYTUNS]

Have the noise. Had it since the day I picked it up. It sounded like that when I test drove the car. Never had a car with this many valves before so I thought it was normal. Only 1400 miles and it still sounds like a sewing machine at low rpms. It runs good though.

[Thomas C Potter]

I had lifter?? noise upon start-up, but preluber has taken care of that. Very quiet other wise.

[1 BAD 03 MM]

I agree TTA, I was tryin' to keep it simple. BTW, What is the build date on yours? 10k is right about the time I started hearing it. I took it in to have the transmission fluid changed, which the desk jockey said was a waste of money, can you believe that. Anyway I also asked them to take a listen to the ticking at idle, and provided them with a couple of suggestions. (I also included the printout from BON, with the CORRECT part number, and a picture of the "blue" stripe cylinder head)

1. Re-torque Exhaust manifold bolts (maybe exhaust)
2. Re-torque Cam journals
3. Replace cylinder head.

48 hrs, 30 miles on the odometer, and a scratch on the driver door later, I'm told that noise is normal "injector" noise. They are replacing the lower portion of the driver seat which had a scratch that they "painted over" when I bought it. It's about to become a tear, so at least they're replacing that. They want me to come in and talk to the technician, and Service manager, to listen to the noise, when the seat cushion comes in.

Somebody asked me about my dealer service:

I have the dreaded ticking in the driver side head (7-8) cylinder area. So far the lack of service department has not been helpful. The 20 year tech was insulted that I, told HIM, what might fix the problem, so I got blown off. I am now dealing with my salesman who is pretty high up the ranks. He says he'll go to bat for me. I'm giving them one more chance to rectify this, but don't think it's gonna help. My salesman says he thinks I hurt the technician's feelings..........aw........to o f#*@in bad. I should call a waaambulance for him. I paid 35+ for this fine machine. I was told that they don't want to do FREE labor. FREE.......FREE, where did the money go that I spent on the car, right in thier pocket. I have told them all the info that I've found on here about the problem. Oh, that's just for the Cobra......same f*#@in cylinder head you nimrod.
:mad2: :bs: :bs: :bs: :bs: :mad2: :shake: :argue:

As you can see I'm a little upset with these guys, and would not suggest them for any lack of service. On the other hand my salesman has made all efforts to help me resolve the problem. I would deal with him again, but we'll see how the service plays out.

[cruzer]

21,100 hard miles---quiet as a mechanical mouse can be. :rock:

[Glenn]

The only engine noise I have at 19,000 miles is when I stick my foot to the floor and hear the beautiful sound of the 32 valve engine instantly rev up. It is even a rare thing now days when I can keep my foot into it for very long because I run out of road so quickly even on the interstate. If anyone is worried about the engine buy the extended warranty. The car is made to drive. The real question is has anyone had real engine trouble from any ticking noise. I only know of one on this Net.

Glenn

[1 BAD 03 MM]

The only engine noise I have at 19,000 miles is when I stick my foot to the floor and hear the beautiful sound of the 32 valve engine instantly rev up. It is even a rare thing now days when I can keep my foot into it for very long because I run out of road so quickly even on the interstate. If anyone is worried about the engine buy the extended warranty. The car is made to drive. The real question is has anyone had real engine trouble from any ticking noise. I only know of one on this Net.

Glenn
I agree Glenn. I do drive it hard (I only get 15 MPG averaged over the last 6 months) and also love the sound of this engine up on the cams. My only concern is that after the warranty, the thing will give me trouble. I want to install a chip, gears, headers, and a PI converter, but want to get past the warranty period, especially with these kinds of issues. If I can get the dealer to put that the ticking will NEVER be a problem, in writing, I will stop worrying about it. What do you think the chances of that are.....2, slim and none.

[jspradii]

My forged pistons rattle when cold; my Stallion 3000 3 disk converter also makes some noise that sounds a little like diesel noise; just all the tranny fluid being spun up to speed, as I understand it.......:banana2: Occasionally my trick knee clicks. You know....creeping middle age....

[tta197]

1Bad03MM, here's what I did to fix mine: http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8185&page=1&highlight=tta197

I have not heard any unusual noises since retorquing the camshaft bearing caps.
Hope that helps. Nicholas.

[TripleTransAm]

I think the only time mine will ever "tick"...is when my wife finally plants that bomb inside the engine bay...:bounce:

Do you think Marty has your wife's phone number?

[TripleTransAm]

I agree TTA, I was tryin' to keep it simple. BTW, What is the build date on yours?

Feb 13 2003.

But build date doesn't seem to correlate with ticking.

I just had an idea. Perhaps it would help if someone with a stock non-ticking MM would videotape their engine in operation, with as good a sound quality as possible, to serve as ammo in case some dealership tries to claim it's normal? I'd do it on mine, but the battery's dead, and we just got 2 cm of snow (damn... again????). BTW, your technician sounds like he's got personal issues. If he thinks he knows everything after only 20 years on the job, he's sadly mistaken. I mean it... the best technicians are the ones that will say "well, I've never seen this myself, but there's a first time for everything". That's why I like my technician's attitude.

[Constable]

I just read this whole thread... UGH!!! My tapping started at about 1000 miles and has been here ever since (now 13,500). I've been gathering information and part numbers for over two months. I want all my ammo ready when I go in to see the service manager. BTW, it's an 03 with a 5-28-03 build date.

[MERCMAN]

Well, noticed the tapping yesterday after letting it idle a long time. You can hear it best in the driver-side wheel well, Going to the shop this week. Best case scenario, retorque cam bolts. Worst case, new heads. Will keep you informed. :shake:
06-02 build date, no smoke at startup

[hitchhiker]

Has this problem been corrected on the 04 MM's?

Thanks,

David

[MitchB]

My father's 03 now has about 11K. No unusual noise at all. He fires the car up and just goes. Does a lot of short, stop & go driving.

Mitch

[MERCMAN]

well. my cam bolts were torqued to 120 the wrench put them back in spec. will know tomorrow if it took care of the tapping!!

[lyg629]

Forgive me if this sounds stupid because I am no expert. I though the sewing machine noise was the compressor for the air suspension.

[gilby04]

Has this problem been corrected on the 04 MM's?

Thanks,

David
My '04 built 08/20/03.
No noises at any RPM since day one.
Based on previously owned Ford/Mercury/Lincoln vehicles, the MM idle is best.
Rather encouraging for DOHC & 32 valves.

[drobin]

My is so quiet that you hardly hear it running. No problem here!

Donald
"drobin"

[MERCMAN]

Well, tapping is still there after the re-torque,, the dealership ordered a new head:( The up side is I am having them install the "real" OP guage while there