Ticking problem....help!!!

[1stlightning]

I am about to loose my mind.:flaming: Here is the problem. I am hearing a slight ticking from the passanger side by the fender well. It gets louder when I put it in gear and you can definatly hear it when I drive it. I sound like a small exhaust leak. I have taken it to a couple of exhaust places and they can't seem to locate it. They have looked around and even double checked the collectors. I was thinking it could possibly be the exhaust manafold gasket, but it is not as loud when I listen to it from under the hood. Is there a sensor or plug of some sort that I am not seeing? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. The temper is right at the boiling point.

[L8 APEX]

It could be a spark plug about to launch.

[1stlightning]

It could be a spark plug about to launch.

If that was the case, I would be able to hear the ticking better when I listen from under the hood. Is that correct?

[Alpine]

Terry is right, I wouldnt drive the truck another foot until you check your plugs. Same thing was happening to me and a week later the plug launched.

[02BOLT]

Is the ticking synonomous with RPM? If so, PARK IT & CHECK YOUR SPARK PLUGS IMMEDIATELY. Most likely, the infamous ticking noise you are hearing is air escaping around a plug that has worked itself loose, and threatening to launch, thus taking the threads with it. This is a known, common and well documented issue with all of the SOHC 5.4's and even V-10's of this era(including naturally aspirated Expeditions, F-150's, F-250's etc...not just the Lightnings).

[1stlightning]

Thanks fellas. I'll check it out.

[00SVT04]

Do 8 thread heads have the same problem?

[02BOLT]

Mainly the '02 and prior. The 8 thread heads that came on the '03 and later trucks seemed to quell the issue(to my knowledge). Still a good idea to check them from time to time...

[1stlightning]

Thanks for all the input fellas. The plugs were ok. I did however find out that it was the exhaust manifold gasket. Broke one of the bolts off in the head in the process of changing it. :flaming: Took a while but it is fixed now.