Thread: Ticking at Startup.

Well I got my car fixed, but after an unfortunate day driving all over Kentucky and Tennessee I found the ticking had returned. It's not the same sound though, as it's more similar to the pat of a lawnmower and it goes away after a few minutes of running. Anyone know what this could be?

Only at start up?

A little history; I bought my car from a dealer who told me he had replaced the flywheel. After about a year a ticking developed under the hood which progressed into a loud metallic grinding sound during acceleration and finally to a constant loud tapping.

I took it in for repair and they told me three bolts had snapped off the transmission and another had never been put in. The flexplate was cracked and only attached by one bolt, and the exhaust was assembled incorrectly. Basically, the "dealer" wasn't qualified to repair a jigsaw puzzle.

Once repaired, the engine ran so quiet I had to step out of the car to hear it running, but after driving out a full tank of gas in a day a 'patting' sound developed similar to a pushmower. The sound goes away after several minutes of driving, but returns briefly if I turn off the car and start it back up. I can hear a bit of lifter ticking if I pop the hood, but this sound is different and a little louder. I haven't been able to trace the origin.

I was hoping exhaust leak. The crossover to rear manifold joint flange was damaged at purchase and the rear manifold to downpipe bolts were stuck. During the repair I had them install my ZZP high-flow cat/downpipe and in driving I heard it scrape on at least three occasions when pulling into steep driveways or parking lots. I looked but I didn't see any obvious damage, guess I'll try to track down the noise?

I'm with Ford man...exhaust leak of some sort

Thanks, I planned on Seafoam at the next oil change anyway so I'll do that. Is it normal for it to go away after the car heats up though? I don't recall any change with the original exhaust leak :P