What is this engine noise? pinging/tapping/knocking

MrGTCS

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So this is a 2007 mustang GT/CS. It is 99% stock. 78k miles. I was driving home and stopped to get gas. Drove it home. Parked it for a week. Started it the other day and it made this sound. This car has had 2 previous owners and there are zero signs of rough driving or abuse. The first 6 or 7 seconds of the video are normal sounding and then at about 8 seconds the knock/tick/ping sound starts. Could this be just bad gas? Or maybe bad spark plugs? It has about 2500 miles since the last oil change and is still full and looks super super clean.

Previous owner put on a CAI and one of the 2 previous owners replaced the H-pipe with an X-pipe. No other mechanical mods. It does have a sub/amp and an aftermarket head unit.

I do believe the spark plugs and sires/boots are original.

What are some things I can do first to rule out the easy options? The gas tank is almost completely full of this gas and I am a little scared to drive it so I can put new gas in it.

 

stkjock

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been a minute since I had a 3v, but to me sounds like normal injector noise, I did not notice any change of sound
 

MrGTCS

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been a minute since I had a 3v, but to me sounds like normal injector noise, I did not notice any change of sound
there is a distinct sound change around 8 seconds. I have never heard this noise before between both of my 2007 Gts I have owned. It is kind of behind the injector noise. It sounds like what I think pre-combustion knock sounds like. It was pretty loud on startup yesterday. Today it was delayed and more quiet. It almost sounds like something is rattling inside the cylinders.
 

Dino Dino Bambino

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been a minute since I had a 3v, but to me sounds like normal injector noise, I did not notice any change of sound
There's definitely an intermittent rattling noise that's overcoming the normal engine sound.
You might want to remove the drive belt and check the pulleys (particularly the idlers) for any abnormal noises or wobbling which would indicate worn bearings.
 

JC SSP

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I personally did not hear anything abnormal…

Consider getting an automotive stethoscope and probe around the engine. You might pick up the noise and isolate it’s location.
 

Sone97

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Take apart and inspect the CAI system nearest the air filter. If worm gear clamps were overly tightened, they can push down into sections of the CAI system, (cracking and forcing them inward) which inhibits air volume.

Canned tunes can also generate sounds you'd swear needs to be solved with some serious wrench time (such as followers & lash adjusters) If you have access to it, reinstall the factory air intake system and revert back to factory tune.

It doesn't sound that off to me (injectors make quite a racket on these cars) Might sound different if I had headphones to listen to it. It's often overlooked, but it's beneficial also to replace the fuel filter (located on the frame rail under the drivers side door) Pretty easy job.
 

Autokyrios

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Heard it. Something's loose. My money's on debris. :)

But yeah, as others have said, either get an automotive stethoscope, chassis-ears (best), or just a long screwdriver. A paper-towel tube isn't the greatest but it can help focus sounds if you're in a pinch.

Didn't say if it happens when it's cold or warmed up. Does it react to some throttle?

Getting some bad gas shouldn't curb your ride. If you really think you got something bad in the tank, just don't stress it out for a bit till you run it out. You can also pump it out of the tank if you really want. If you loaded the lowest octane maybe throw in a bit of octane booster.

But it really sounds like you picked up a penny or a screw.
 

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