Ticking noise

[asappin]

There is a ticking noise coming from the passenger side engine compartment. Seems to be coming from the valve cover or below. I attached a video link below. When the engine is revving higher the sound goes away. Seems to only be present when idling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ34obgAbxI&feature=youtu.be

any help is greatly appreciated

 

[langester]

Might not be the problem but, have you checked that side for an exhaust leak?

 

[asappin]

well I think we have a winner. knocked off some dirt around the exhaust headers and the flange is cracked. I'm guessing this is causing it.

 

[langester]

Headers are notorious for leaking, hopefully its an easy fix for you. At least it is a simple problem and not inside the engine.
Good luck!

 

[blubuckaroo]

Are you sure that's not a cut? That's not a spot that would leak, and cutting the flange between tubes is a fix often used when thin flanges expand and leak.

 

[asappin]

I'm not sure. It does appear to be a perfect line. I just thought that was the culprit but now I'm not so sure.

 

[Readhead]

The easy way to check for an exhaust leak is to use a piece of heater hose put it to your ear and move the other end over the area you suspect a leak

 

[1strodeo]

i don't think i will ever run another set of headers, wayyy more trouble than they're worth in my 30 years of wrenchin

 

[DirtDonk]

Those are pretty old looking headers though. It's possible that the gasket is finally leaking. And with standard bolts, that possibility seems even more, well, possible.

Another thing that makes that sound is a loose spark plug.
I agree that using a stethoscope, or a hose-as-stethoscope is a good idea. You can also monkey around with the plug wires while it's idling to see if the sound changes. I prefer to use gloves, or a plastic handled too myself...

I once had a loose plug make noise only in Reverse. Turned out the shift lever on the column would push the wire just ever so slightly and break the seal on the plug. Didn't make the noise except for when reversing.
I was bummed thinking I was going to need to rebuild my transmission, when I found the much cheaper solution. Tighten the plug!%):-[

Good luck. Hope yours is equally inexpensive, quick to resolve, and as satisfying when done.;D

Paul

 

[spap]

could be a loose rocker arm to,

 

[DirtDonk]

And even a lifter, that pumps up as the rpm increase perhaps because the oil pressure is building up higher?

What does your pressure gauge read? And what weight engine oil are you using?
Anything done to the engine? A rebuild or other work?
When did it start, and did it come on slowly, or all of a sudden?

Paul

 

[garberz]

i don't think i will ever run another set of headers, wayyy more trouble than they're worth in my 30 years of wrenchin

Yup! But it seems that’s the first thing that gets put on a Bronco. %). I’ve never been somewhere where headers would’ve helped. All my running buddies have them, most times I have to look at my tach to see if my engine is still idling. It that quiet.

Mark

 

[blubuckaroo]

Yup! But it seems that’s the first thing that gets put on a Bronco. %). I’ve never been somewhere where headers would’ve helped. All my running buddies have them, most times I have to look at my tach to see if my engine is still idling. It that quiet.

Mark

Keeping manifolds would save a lot of money too. Especially since aftermarket heads with manifolds is pretty much throwing your money away.
Personally, I love that nice header ring with good compression and a bit of cam.

 

[annikki33]

Ticking noise Bronco

There is a ticking noise coming from the passenger side engine compartment. Seems to be coming from the valve cover or below. I attached a video link below. When the engine is revving higher the sound goes away. Seems to only be present when idling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ34obgAbxI&feature=youtu.be

any help is greatly appreciated

---- apologies, I'm new to this forum. Yesterday my 1974 Bronco made the exact same ticking noise; does it after driving maybe 5-10 min. Doesn't happen all the time. Can u tell me what the noise was u experienced???

 

[DirtDonk]

Hey there annikki, welcome to classicbroncos!
Curious too what was found with the OP's noise. They did find that potential leak in the header, and there is another thread around here where some bent pushrods were found during a tuning session.

Any more info you can give us? Like, did it start suddenly, or has it been getting gradually more consistent or loud?
Recent oil change?
What weight engine oil?
How long have you owned it and did it do it before?
How many miles?
And how long does it sit?
Stuff like that...

Lots of potential causes. Good luck with yours.

Paul