chatter in 4.6 2v??

[2kSVT]

I had the Saleen out the other day and heard a chatter I have never heard before. Let me run this past you modular guys.
I was cruising in third gear about 40 mph. When the rpms are right around 2,000 I hear a rpm sensitive chatter. It comes on right as you apply slight load from no throttle. The oil level is fine. I'm about due for an oil change.
I don't drive it alot, and though it has a blower I don't beat on it. Other than the noise, the power is fine.
I'm going on vacation in 2 weeks. I am thinking of taking it to someone with a scope to narrow it down when I get back. Anyone dealt with this? It sounds like the top, and not rod knock etc. I have searched and saw that valve/lifter etc noise may be the culprit. Any suggestions for who to take it to? Jeff, at Precision tuned the car.

Thanks
Rod

[HawksWR37]

I had the Saleen out the other day and heard a chatter I have never heard before. Let me run this past you modular guys.
I was cruising in third gear about 40 mph. When the rpms are right around 2,000 I hear a rpm sensitive chatter. It comes on right as you apply slight load from no throttle. The oil level is fine. I'm about due for an oil change.
I don't drive it alot, and though it has a blower I don't beat on it. Other than the noise, the power is fine.
I'm going on vacation in 2 weeks. I am thinking of taking it to someone with a scope to narrow it down when I get back. Anyone dealt with this? It sounds like the top, and not rod knock etc. I have searched and saw that valve/lifter etc noise may be the culprit. Any suggestions for who to take it to? Jeff, at Precision tuned the car.

Thanks
Rod


I know that Valve chatter is relatively common on Modulars'. If its enough to have you scared I would just take it back to Jeff. He is a Stand up guy. Are the Saleens 2v or 4v?

[2kSVT]

Thanks for the reply. It's a 2v. Jeff, has always been very fair to me.

[chris91]

Sure it isn't coming from the timing chain area? When my tensioner went bad it made a bunch of noise. Does it chatter at start up too?

[2kSVT]

No chatter at start up that I noticed.

[chris91]

That's were mine started at was cold starts. Then it progressively got worse. You could definitely tell it was coming from the front of the engine though.

[2kSVT]

This is for comparison as far as the sound. This sound just started, and mine is about 3 time quieter than this. The main similarity is how it comes on at 2k and is rpm sensitive as you increase load. Again mine is not this load or constant. The noise in mine is right around 2,000. It is not there before unless you apply load. Goes away at higher rpm. lifter stuck??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwodSRwXkoE&feature=related

[chris91]

Yeah that sounds like a lifter to me.

[Jake]

I'd put my money on a sunken lash adjuster. do you let the car sit for long periods of time? pop the cover off and in a few minutes you should be able to rule it out. sometimes it will be a persistent chatter, other times it may appear to be rpm sensitive. it's where I always suggest people start for top end modular noise, simply because it's common and easy to rule out.

[rtvickers]

Definetly a lash adjuster.

[2kSVT]

The car does sit...all winter and driven on weekends when it is nice out.
Not sure how to check the lash adjuster? Anyone local wanna assist me for few bucks and beer??

[Jake]

lash adjuster is just the modular version of a lifter. you can just pop the valve cover off and give it a visual inspection. maybe listen to the engine with a stethoscope so you know where to look. I hope for your sake it's on the passenger side!

[Jake]

thats about all the knowledge I have to offer, but if you need some help I could swing by and turn a wrench!

[2kSVT]

The driver's side is easier for me...the inlet elbow on the twin screw goes right above the passenger side valve cover!

[Blackout]

If that is what it sounds like then YES it's most likely the lifters. they are common to go bad in modulars. What happens is that when these engines sit the lifters will drain. The best thing to do is if the car is going to be sitting is to start it up once a week and let it reach operating tempature. Make sure you use 5w20 also. You can thicken the oil up a bit if you drive the car alot. Once the lifters compress, it can take a while of driving it to get them to pump back up. It shouldn't hurt anything, it's just annoying.

[V8Mustang1967]

My 2000 Mustang GT made the same exact sound. Never found out what it was i ended up throwing a rod. But i was told it was the lifters also.

[2kSVT]

Blackout, it is due for an oil change. If I change it and drive it...do you think it will "pump back up" or is it "bad" and needs replaced??

[Blackout]

It's possible. I have seen in the past were some modulars would start the ticks when they were close to a oil change. Get the right oil for the car and see what happens when you drive for a few hours.

[2kSVT]

Ok, the last oil change was with the Ford 5w20 from the parts store. I was going to use it again. I always felt like the synthetic stuff was too thin. As we all know our cars, we hear the slightest noise, and it drives me nuts.

[Jake]

could you not take the lash adjuster out and soak it in oil overnight to see if it will pump back up? I just replaced mine with one I had laying around, so I'm not sure if that would work or not.

I have some NPI lash adjusters, if they are the same and you want one, it's yours.

[2kSVT]

So if the oil change doesn't fix the tick..I pull off the valve cover and look at them. Will it be obvious which one is jacked up? I assume it will be shorter than the others. I'm off Friday, I'm gonna change the oil and take it for a long highway run.

[rtvickers]

Ive had this happen before. When I did my headgaskets I read that you should depress all the lash adjusters to make sure they are good. I took them to work to use the vice and did about 5 of them before a buddy of mine (who is the mechanic at work) said if I didnt have a problem before then I should leave them alone. So when I got everything back together and started it up it had a loud tick or tap. I let it run for about 10 minutes and shut it of cause I was pissed. Came back a few days later and let it run for about 15 minutes and gave it a few revs and it went away.

I was using val semi synth 5w20 for the first 3000 miles cause I didnt want to waste the expensive stuff if it had to come back apart. At 3000 I put Amsoil 5w30 full synth in. I havent any problems out of it. Like said before, if you can narrow it down to one side, take them out and let them soak overnight. In my opinion.

[rtvickers]

So if the oil change doesn't fix the tick..I pull off the valve cover and look at them. Will it be obvious which one is jacked up? I assume it will be shorter than the others. I'm off Friday, I'm gonna change the oil and take it for a long highway run.

I dont think you'll be able to look and tell. Dont know maybe. Here's a video of mine from December on the first start up after I put it back together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLvosVYC-Vo

Almost gone in this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FOvx1GQm08

[Jake]

mine actually came unseated, it was a miracle the cam was undamaged. but it may be less obvious.

[2kSVT]

Sounds like your video, a little quieter..just comes on under slight load at 2,000 rpm and is rpm sensitive when revved and then revs come down.
Changing oil in a.m. and gonna put some miles on it.

[2kSVT]

I was gonna put the Ford 5w20 in it. Would you guys suggest a synthetic blend to pump it back up??

[rtvickers]

I use Amsoil. But my oil guy doesnt say anything bad about Royal Purple when I bring it up. He says its a good product but Amsoil is better. Lol. He says change the oil between 15,000-25,000. And no wear on the bearings and a 10% increase in fuel economy.

[02mingryGT]

make sure to check that oil when you change it. put a little bit in a shot glass and look at it to make sure there is no silver in it. When i spun the rod bearings in mine it made a similar sound as the video and it was rpm specific. Didn't hear it until 2000 rpm and went away at 2500 rpm. Hopefully that's not it. Just check the oil to be sure.

[2kSVT]

I changed the oil with Motorcraft syn blend 5w20. I took it from Huber to Beavercreek tonight for dinner. It is still chattering. It comes on under slight load at 2k and seems to go away around 3k. There is nolack of power and pulls the same as before.

02mingryGT..I checked the oil I took out of it and it looks clean. No silver in it.

[Blackout]

You might have to change them out then.

[2kSVT]

Blackout..I have not changed any parts yet. Just fresh oil, hoping that would quiet it down.

[Blackout]

Yeah, whats bad is that if these motors set, the lifters will drain down. I have seen and had a bunch do the same thing. It doesn't take much.

[2kSVT]

Yeah, you know the thing sits all winter and I drive it on the weekends. I guess once a week starts are in my future. How hard is it to change them??

[Blackout]

Valve covers have to come off and cams loosened up. but it can be done. Just takes a little time. All the lifters will need checked and then you will know what ones will need changed out.

[rtvickers]

It doesnt seem like a bad job on a 2v. You should try to soak them in oil overnight if none are bad. Might save you some money.

[HawksWR37]

I've heard of people replacing oil with atf to get their lifters unstuck in modulars but im not sure the protocol on that.

[02mingryGT]

2KSVT - you able to make the cruise to WPAFB Sat? if you can I'd like to hear it in person.

[2kSVT]

Won't be able to go to meet. Leaving Friday night for a week in Myrtle Beach! Going to drive it to a buddies shop one night this week and let him hear it.

[02mingryGT]

Won't be able to go to meet. Leaving Friday night for a week in Myrtle Beach! Going to drive it to a buddies shop one night this week and let him hear it.


Cool, have fun! Lets us know what he says.

[sean]

my gt made that exact same noise. Ended up being a loose plug. It ended up shooting the plug out. I replaced the plug with a new one as none of the threads were bad and the noise went away. the car is still going strong I hear and hasnt had a problem sinse. Check all your plugs.