Chrysler 3.8L ... exhaust ticking vs. lifter noise?

[Lockasiam]

Have a 3.8 Chrysler in my minivan. Under low rpm load (giving throttle uphill, 40ish mph in OD). can't really WOT and get the noise overly loud b/c the 41te will drop to 3rd which eliminates the sound. Any way to say definiteivly that it's an exhuast leak or lifter noise? getting under the car tonight so i can remove manifold heat shields and look for soot

 

[Wrenchturner44]

I had a lifter fail on my 4.7 V8. I was able to quickly diagnose it by removing the valve cover. Yes, it will make somewhat of mess running the engine with oil being slung from the suspected bank, but you should be able to hear the noise source without issue.

 

[brages]

I had a Mazda B2200 with a ticking valve adjuster and I don't think it was related to load at all.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Exhaust manifold leaks usually present themselves at high throttle, low engine speed.

I'm sure there's someone who knows why/how better than me ... I'm sure it's to do with scavenging and at the higher RPMs that exhaust is able to scavenge itself out the normal path than through the leak.

 

[Lockasiam]

Exhaust manifold leaks usually present themselves at high throttle, low engine speed.

I'm sure there's someone who knows why/how better than me ... I'm sure it's to do with scavenging and at the higher RPMs that exhaust is able to scavenge itself out the normal path than through the leak.

higher cylinder pressure maybe? I thought (hoped) it might be an exhuast leak, but at 240k you can't be sure with lifters

 

[cptbarkey]

You can typically see carbon evidence around the exhaust manifold if/where it is leaking.

 

[Lockasiam]

went to check the manifolds and the head shield looked like it was hiding a soot spot... couldnt get the heat shield off and gave up since it was late and i don't want my daily driver apart in the driveway for morning me to deal with