V10 Engine Ticking

[6757]

I have a 99 V10 with only 64000 miles, under acceleration, pulling a 3000lb trailer, there is a slight ticking sound at times, but not always. It is not fuel related. It also does not seem to effect the power.

I did add a can of Seafoam to the fuel a couple tanks ago and that seemed to help some.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

[MikeMcCasland]

This is most likely an exhaust leak at the exhaust manifold. Check to ensure that none of the studs holding it on have snapped off. If they have, you will likely need to replace the exhaust manifold and studs. (The manifold has likely warped if it's been going on for a long time.)

This is a common problem with V10's. It would be the first thing I would check.

[Pappy19]

Originally Posted by MikeMcCasland

This is most likely an exhaust leak at the exhaust manifold. Check to ensure that none of the studs holding it on have snapped off. If they have, you will likely need to replace the exhaust manifold and studs. (The manifold has likely warped if it's been going on for a long time.)

This is a common problem with V10's. It would be the first thing I would check.

True, the exhaust stud issue was fairly common in the early V-10's but snce 2006, there were major changes in the V-10 exhaust system and the manifold studs are no longer a problem. In fact, at my last oil change at the dealer, I asked him to pull all of the V-10 TSB's, and he couldn't find a single one. That was from almost 2 years this coming September, and no reflash, no problems period with the V-10.

[akrewat]

Ditto on the exhaust leak. A ticking that is only on acceleration is exhaust. A ticking that happens all the time, no matter what, is usually valve-train.

Pappy, the 3-valve V10's use a different style of exhaust manifold. The 2-valve V10 uses a log-style, like the old FE's did, so when it heats up and cools off, it expands and contracts a LOT. This drags the studs around with it, especially when the nuts rust to the manifold, and eventually fatigues the studs. Ford did come out with copper-plated nuts that seem to not rot to the manifold, which may help on the 2-valvers.

The 3-valvers use a manifold that is more like a header, with individual flanges for each exhaust port. This allows the manifold to expand and contract without all the tugging on the studs. Whether by design or by accident, it seems to have eliminated the stud-breaking issue

[6757]

Thanks for the replies....would it also cause some moisture leaking down on the exhaust on the right side (seems to be the side where the ticking is coming from), started Saturday, small amount, 15 minute run time or so, then stops when truck is turned off.