Need help diagnosing engine noise - not for the squeamish

[trackgt]

Hi S197 forum members - based on scouring other posts & audio files, I think I've got a bad set of cam lashers and cam phaser but would greatly appreciate the input of the folks on this forum. A bit of background:

• 2006 Mustang GT - 55K miles - manual transmission
• Stock engine with the exception of CAI and Bama 91 Tune
• Don't drive this car everyday - it's a track day car in the making.
• Noise appeared after startup one morning.
• After the noise appeared, pulled the plugs and one came out with the Ground Electrode broke off. I vacuumed out the cylinder but didn't find the missing piece (hope it was ejected out the exhaust). Changed all of the plugs to new.
• Computer is not throwing any codes - have not (yet) set up data logging to see what else is going on.
• The noise is prevalent throughout the entire rev range and is not dependent on engine temp (i.e. present at cold & warm states).
• I tried to use an engine stethoscope to narrow the location but haven't been able to localize the noise.

So now onto the squemish part - here's the link to the sound the car makes on startup:
https://youtu.be/Ws61z_N1bHs

My wrenching skills are average (brakes / suspension / basic engine stuff like swapping plugs / cleaning intake manifolds / fluids / etc) and I think futzing with the cams / timing components are beyond my comfort level. So I'm intending to take it to a local mustang shop but would your respective opinions on:
1) Confirmation / or alternative thoughts on what this noise is
2) Opinions on whether I should flatbed it to the shop or if it can be driven / sustain the 45 mile trip (my gut says to get it towed but welcome thoughts on this)
3) Any thoughts on the labor hours to get this fixed.
4) Anything else I should get done while the mechanic is in there (i.e. thoughts on performance items such as new cams - please keep in mind I live in California and it would need to pass smog every two years -[sigh]).

I appreciate your thoughts & thanks for taking the time to read through this.

 

[05gtowner]

That sounds bad. Real bad. You may not need it but I would start saving for a reman or takeout motor. It sounds like lash adjuster is broken. Any particles in the oil?

 

[AbdullaGT500]

I had an expedition at our shop last week that sounded like that. It had all the cam caps broken off, probably someone left them loose or overtightened. See if you can narrow it down to a specific side and pull that side valve cover off.

 

[trackgt]

Thanks for the quick response 05gtowner.
I swapped the oil when I did the plugs and didn't see any particles in the fluid (yet). As to the new engine option, I've already come to grips with that possibility and know that putting a Coyote into the '06 is not a simple endeavor.
If I do have to go the new engine route, any recommendations on a 3V Naturally Aspirated option with a bit more HP (forgive my ignorance but I'm thinking I have to stay NA in order to comply with the smog laws out here).

 

[trackgt]

Hi AbdullaGT500 - thanks - will do some more work with the stethoscope and see if can narrow it down. Thanks again for the thoughts.

 

[retfr8flyr]

By out here I assume you mean CA. You should be able to narrow it down to just one side, if it's valve related. Pull your cam covers and see if you have a rocker arm loose. or broken. It could be a bad phaser but it kind of sounds like something else, if it's all the time and follows the rpm range. As far as another shortblock, get the new FRPP M-6009-B53 Stroker Shortblock from Tasca.

 

[Eel Mit]

Yeah, pull cam covers. My bet is a roller on a rocker arm is bad and wiped out a cam lobe. Thats what it sounds like.

 

[trackgt]

Hi retfr8flyr & eel MIT - yep, out here is California - tough to make any engine mods and stay inline with the emissions standards. I'll pull the cam covers on Sat and see how it looks - thanks for the advice & taking the time to comment. Also, thanks for the tip on the new short block from FRPP - I'll keep that in my back pocket if I have to go down that route.

 

[AbdullaGT500]

Hi AbdullaGT500 - thanks - will do some more work with the stethoscope and see if can narrow it down. Thanks again for the thoughts.

Another thing it could be is a loss of oil pressure. Do you have an oil pressure gauge?

 

[trackgt]

Hi AbdullaGT500- thanks for the continued interest. I only have the stock oil pressure gauge, which based on what i've read, is really just an idiot light (i.e. goes on if it measures its single position - 6psi I think?).

 

[skwerl]

Sounds like these guys have it covered. I agree with everybody else here, pull the valve covers and take a look-see. Valve cover gaskets are reusable so it won't cost anything to look except a little time.

 

[Wild White Pony]

Kinda sounds like the bad phaser noise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-xDnR8wb_0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZuArjvEfRc

The second vid has 3.46mins a uhg before the sound.

 

[Barricade]

Did you figure it out??

 

[stkjock]

Did you figure it out??

4 Years plus you ask?? and the OP hasn't singed in to the site in 4 years

 

[Barricade]

I was searching for a similar problem. Dont begrudge an attempt to get more info.
There have been years between my postings. It was worth a shot.

 

[stkjock]

I was searching for a similar problem. Dont begrudge an attempt to get more info.
There have been years between my postings. It was worth a shot.

not begrudging...