[vman49]

Hello Everyone,

So I have been having the "Engine Ticking" problem and I was trying to figure out what it was. At first I thought it was the injectors, so I did all the necessary repairs (new fuel filter, plugs, run injector cleaners and only run 94octane fuel.)

The ticking is still there and know it has gotten a lot louder and another thing is the car no longer has the power it use to. As well as the exhaust sound has now changed (a lot quieter). Also at WOT in first gear as soon as it reaches the higher RPMs I get like a pop sound kind of like a backfire, and the power chops out for a second.

What I'm thinking is, that the cars timing is retarded? Is this possible with a bad cam phaser? Like what would the symptoms be of a bad cam phaser?

The Car has 155 000kms on it, and the only mods I have on the car are a BBK cold air intake and flowmasters 40s axle backs and the diablo tuner predator sport.

I am ready to buy the full timing chain kit, and change in new phasers and all the chain kit.

Is there anything else that I could be missing or should consider? Oh and also when I removed the valve covers the camshafts themselves looked great which is making me believe that it is the phasers. So no damage on the cams themselves.

I have done a lot of reading and couldn't find anything, if anyone could give me some insight on this issue it would really help.

Thanks a lot guys!

[stang06girl]

I would try isolating which cylinder the ticking is coming from, and then install new lash adjusters (lifters) & rockers in that cylinder first. I would focus on the aft two cylinders on the passenger side first. They receive the lowest oil pressure. There is a TSB on the lash adjusters. I would then look at replacing the VCT solonoid. If that doesn't fix it, then I would look at changing out the phaser and timing chain tensioners.

Usually phasers only have problems when aggressive cams and stiff springs are used. It would also likely be throwing cam to crank synchronization codes. I did have phaser issues due to bad cams and heads, and the car doesn't run for crap when it happens. My bet is that it is a lash adjuster.

[vman49]

Awesome thanks for the input. So if I were to change all my lash adjusters I would need 24 of them and also 24 rocker arms? Plus all the bolts needed.

Also would you recommend me doing a compression test before and after the fix?

Thanks again for all the help and info.

[stang06girl]

Originally Posted by vman49

Awesome thanks for the input. So if I were to change all my lash adjusters I would need 24 of them and also 24 rocker arms? Plus all the bolts needed.

Also would you recommend me doing a compression test before and after the fix?

Thanks again for all the help and info.

No bolts are required for the rockers and lash adjusters, Get one of those Freedom racing tools to remove the rocker. I would buy half a dozen ( 2 cylinders worth). If you can isolate it down to a particular area, (say passenger side, rear for example) replace the lash adjusters in those two cylinders. Then put the valve cover on and see if it takes care of the noise. If it doesn't, install the lash adjuster / rockers that you pulled off onto the other two cylinders in that bank. That should tell you if it is a lash adjuster. You might be able to use a stethescope to isolate the area better. You can pick them up pretty cheap from any autoparts store.

The onlys bolt you have to worry about replacing is the cam bolt (only if you have to replace a phaser / cam gear) Those bolts are torque to yeild, use once bolts. these bolts are hollow, and have been know to have chips in them from time to time. So make sure you clean them out before intalling them.

[vman49]

Awesome thanks so much for the help. I have decided to replace all rockers and lash adjusters and I also picked up a full timing chain kit which includes the phasers as well it cost me around 700 bucks for everything, I just want to have a peace of mind when I start doing my heavy upgrades, I'm also picking up upgraded springs and cams soon so I will be able to finish off my heads completely.

But will keep an update on my progress just in case I run into some issues

Any advise is always awesome to hear.

[stang06girl]

Upgraded springs / cams = phaser limiters or lockouts!!