Ticking at Start-Up

[OceanRocket24]

Hello again everyone!

Ever since I purchased my car, I have noticed that there is a ticking at start up. It usually lasts longer the colder it gets (max time = 5-8 seconds). It never gets colder than 30 degrees farenheit here. The car seems to run fine and there is no ticking or abnormal engine noise after this 5-8 seconds. The manual states that some knocking on start up is normal, but it doesn't have any mention for a ticking sound. Here are the specs for my car:

2000 Ford Mustang 3.8 liter V6 - Automatic
91,000 miles
Current oil combo: Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5w30 with a Motorcraft fl400s oil filter

What is your opinion? Is there anything to worry about? Thanks a lot guys!

 

[Steve S]

Have you listened to other like engines?

 

[bepperb]

It's probably nothing, I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

Steve has a good idea.

 

[ThirdeYe]

My sister used to have two Mustangs with that same engine: a '97 and a '98. Neither of them had any start-up ticking, FWIW. I would've thought it could be the oil filter, but I doubt it since you've probably changed it more than once since you've had it.

 

[OVERKILL]

Could be an exhaust leak that seals itself after the metal warms.......

 

[widman]

I'd suspect the lifters first. Time for an AutoRx treatment

 

[mechtech2]

At almost 100K, parts are getting some wear.
Your hydraulic lifter are leaking fluid and need to fill again.
Also, even though Motorcraft filters are very good, you may have a bad one with a faulty leakdown/anti drainback valve.

Anyway, I don't see how cleaning would help. It would make things worse. Any leaking areas in the lifters would now be bigger .
A stuck lifter is different - it would click and NOT go away in a few seconds.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Tick for 5 seconds, dont worry about it. Do you let your engine idle cool for a minute before shutting off? This will help prevent sticky valves. I f you want you can run Rotella 10w30 this stuff usually quiets all noises.

 

[TLMjared]

I agree with overkill about possible exhaust leak. manfiold to head and manifold to pipe are both very common leak spots!

 

[bdcardinal]

exhaust manifold exhaust leak, extremely common on 3.8's.

 

[Gary Allan]

..but I doubt that an exhaust leak would expand in 5 to 8 seconds.

I go with the drained down lifters (insert, where applicable, chain tensioner, etc..etc.) and an Auto-Rx treatment.

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
..but I doubt that an exhaust leak would expand in 5 to 8 seconds.

I go with the drained down lifters (insert, where applicable, chain tensioner, etc..etc.) and an Auto-Rx treatment.

I agree we had a 8100 chev with a exh leak and it took many minutes to go away(heating then expanding closing the leak).

i vote lifters all the way.