05MercMariner

Hi
My 05 Mercury Mariner 4cyl has a ticking noise emanating from the motor.
My neighbor seems to think it's the cam lifters that need adjustment?
I know didley about cars so i thought i would ask the experts.
Thanks

CatSkinner

I don't think the lifters have an adjustment on that particular engine, you might be hearing a lifter that's getting worn. When the last time you changed the oil?

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05MercMariner

Hi
Oil is changed every 3-5 months, last time was in December 2012.
Thanks

CatSkinner

How many miles and how bad is the tick?

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05MercMariner

It has 65K miles and the tick is not super loud but it's there.
Just trying to find a solution in case it's a major problem...

CatSkinner

It's a tough call without hearing it. Could be a lifter loosening or it could be an exhaust leak. A small leak on the exhaust manifold can often be mistaken for an engine tick.

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tomw

The valve clearance is adjusted manually on that engine. As the valve 'train' wears, the clearance generally closes up, so if it starts to make noise, it would not be from increased valve clearance. Unless the 'bucket' surface, or the cam lobe surface has deteriorated, you should not get valve train noise. There just aren't any parts to create a tic.
As noted, an exhaust leak can cause a similar sound, and in a lot of cases would tend to quiet down as the engine warms up and closes up the gap between the head/gasket/manifold.
tom

70mstang

Does it make the noise with all of the accessories off? I've heard some engines get pretty noisy with the a/c on.

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05MercMariner

That ^^^ sounds familiar as i forgot to mention the tick does seem to go away after driving for a while...

DJT

!!!! I have dealt with this and if it the same as mine, you need to check the spark plugs. There is a common problem with some models of motors with the spark plugs loosening. It is a bad/defective head issue with them, that ford is refusing to address. The aluminum heads only have 3 threads holding the plugs in and they can loosen themselves too the point that they blow out. The only warning is a noise that sounds just like a valve tap. If you check for a loose plug and that is the issue, you will save yourself a huge headache. I recommend checking for this ASAP. A couple more things, as it is an aluminum head with weak threads be careful not to over tighten the plugs, while you are in there you might as well change the plugs or at least clean and gap the ones that are in there. God bless and good luck.