Not at wit's end, plenty of patience. But can anyone identify this ticking?

[math]

Sound: https://soundcloud.com/mud-14/new20recordingm4a

Crank it up and listen closely around the 20 second mark.

Figured we needed a change in thread titles. From the day we bought it, there's been a mysterious ticking under load from this engine. It seems to occur at about 45mph, though may be heard at lower speeds sometimes. It's actually incredibly quiet, and I'm amazed I got it on the recording. I have no idea where it's coming from, because I'm not able to hear it in the engine bay, only in the truck. We just did the plug tube gaskets/valve cover gasket, distributor o-ring, new starter, new injectors, et al. The truck runs fine, but can anyone tell me what that is? I haven't taken a dowel to it yet because I've got no clue as to even where to poke the engine. Is it valve noise? Exhaust leak (which I suspect anyway)? Is the truck haunted? Definitely haunted, right?

Again, we're not at our wit's end and have plenty of dry, sarcastic, and bizarre wit left for everyone.

 

[NLXTACY]

Try again? And how can you be at wit's end when obviously I'm at Wits' End

 

[math]

Try again? And how can you be at wit's end when obviously I'm at Wits' End

View attachment 1055371

Try now I had it set to private by accident. We like the company name, by the way.

 

[NLXTACY]

I would first check with the heat shields around CAT #1. Mine was loose and made a similar noise. Then check all of your rubber exhaust hangers. There are three of them. All of mine were broken. I don't have any ticking or noise any longer. Drove me crazy for a long time.

 

[Pin_Head]

If it gets louder with more throttle, then an exhaust leak is a top suspect.

 

[turbocruiser]

If it gets louder with more throttle, then an exhaust leak is a top suspect.

Well first I'll say that recording was really soft so listening to that was kinda like listening to the church mouse forcing a fart! Having stated that I agree 100% with everyone else so far. To my ear it is equal parts louder with more throttle and faster with more throttle so I say exhaust leak and also exhaust rattle. Check tubing, shields and hardware and 50%+ sure you will find within the exhaust system somewhere from the way that sounded. You mentioned it only happens when driving with load (I'm assuming you are saying it won't happen when in park?) and even though we tend to think of the exhaust system essentially as stationary, the additional torqueing (as in engine position/transmission position) when under load is often what reveals problems in that otherwise stationary system. I hope that helps.

 

[LS1FJ40]

That is the exact sound my 92 was making. I figured it was an exhaust leak. When I took it in to the muffler shop last week they pointed out I had two exhaust leaks. One coming from where the exhaust meets the headers. The gasket was gone. The other was from where the #2 O2 sensor was supposed to be. I say supposed to be because the nuts had rusted and disintegrated so the O2 sensor was just dangling. I had new O2 sensors installed and the gasket replaced. No more ticking/hissing noise. Now she purrs like a tractor!

 

[scottryana]

Ticking? It is a bomb!

 

[Tennessee80]

That is the funniest thread title ever... Lol

 

[Tools R Us]

Ticking? It is a bomb!

Cut the RED wire!








That always works for James Bond?