Sounds like a loose lifter , find out which side it is and remove valve cover.
If it was a rod I don't think the sound would go away.
Good Luck

 

I've removed the valve cover on the right side. This is where it sounded like the ticking is coming from. Here's a video of what's happening inside. It's definitely going to need a head gasket.

Cylinders 3 and 4 have a nice pool of oil/anti-freeze, but there's nothing pooling on cylinders 1 and 2. Is this a problem?

Any idea on which cylinder may have the ticking sound?

I'd appreciate any help!!

 

do the same thing this time touch the rockers and see if the tune changes, then wind motor over by hand and measure the clearance by rattling the rocker, compare it to the others . you then need to work out what is wearing away , rocker, lifter, cam etc.

 

Hmmm, sounds like a slipped liner, hows the oil ? Is it contaminated with water ?
I’m hope it’s not a liner, but sounds like one I did earlier this year..

 

The oil is contaminated . You can see water/antifreeze pooling at the outside edge of the engine by the springs under the rockers.

There is a small amount of white smoke coming out of the tail pipe.

 

The one I did with a slipped liner, had a massive amount of water mixed in the oil, (at least 6ltrs) so if not that bad you might be lucky, check the rockers as mentioned,, fingers crossed for you,,

 

This morning I tried to move the rockers by hand with the engine off (of course). All of the rockers except Cylinder 2, were solid - I couldn't move them.

But I could move both rockers for cylinder 2 with my hand just a bit... maybe 1/16". Also, the bolt between those two rockers wasn't really tight. I couldn't turn the 3 other bolts, but I was able to turn the cylinder two bolt almost one full rotation.

I then started the engine and waited. After about 15 minutes, the ticking came back. I'm hoping the loose rocker would indicate the lifters for cylinder two are the issue.

Is this correct? Could I be on the right path?

Thanks for the help...

 

It’s quite possible it’s the rockers, the earlier models have been known to give trouble,

 

So I think the "ticking" is getting louder. Here's another video. The tick starts ticking about 10-15 minutes after starting a cold engine. It gets quiet when I rev the engine a bit.

Also, I know it needs a new head gasket. But the upper radiator hose gets so full of anti-freeze or air, that you can't squeeze it. It's hard as a rock. What would cause that?

Any chance it's a loose timing chain?

Lifter? Or the dreaded loose liner??

Please help! LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvZgg68V0Lc

 

The hose pressure is the head gasket,, the chain wouldn’t make that much noise, its straight over 2 gear cogs, no tensioners ect, I’d grab a 2nd hand set of rockers just to eliminate them on the right side,, todays video is definitely sounding more tappets side of things

 

I have a similar sound in my ‘99 4.6 though not quite as pronounced or frequent. I assumed it was lifter noise as the sound goes away with increased rpm. I installed a mechanical oil pressure gauge and was getting 19 psi, hot at idle. Thinking increased pressure might help, I just installed a new oil pump and did new gears and timing chain because they were stretched / worn.

The result was exactly 2 psi at hot idle and no change on the sounds, lol.

I’m watching these threads with interest, I’ve talked to others that have gone through with the new lifters and cam, only to see no difference. It sure would be nice to figure this one out.

 

has the bolt you tightened up come loose again , it might have pulled the thread (stripped)

 

Horrible update:

Today I removed the rockers and shaft to inspect the pads. Pads for cylinder 2,3,and 4 looked very worn (see picture 1).

Then I looked at the rods and noticed the guide hole where the first rod for cylinder 3 was broken and there?s a huge gap (picture 2) where the piece of metal should be.

Then I noticed a small metal washer(?) sitting by where the first rod for cylinder 4 goes thru the head (picture 3)

Then I pulled out the first rod for cylinder 1 (front of engine) and heard something metal drop down by the camshaft. A flashlight revealed the lifter is what fell down there (picture 4)

Recommendations? What is that metal washer for? Can I save this engine? I don?t know where the piece that broke off is sitting right now. How did that lifter fall down by the camshaft?

I appreciate all the guidance.

 

don't worry all is not lost .the washer looks like a locating dowel, goes between head and rocker mount. the wear on the rockers is because the mounting bolt was loose. (is it stripped out ) you said you had to do head gaskets, that involves removing the inlet manifold so you can refit or decide to replace the lifters and cam, go easy when removing others as they have to go back to where they come from, all parts can be replaced its just how much you are willing to spend.

 

That bit of metal looks exactly like the washers in the rocker gasket, no? When I took the rocker covers off recently, a couple fell out in awkward places just like that

 

Yes, it also to me looks like the brass? Insert from rubber rocker cover gaskets... I wouldn't worry too much about it if you've retrieved it and there aren't any others missing!