Ticking noise - think it's the fuel pump - thoughts?

[MikeyM]

Hey all,

What I thought was a lifter tick seems to now be the fuel pump and/or the FP push rod. While the engine was running, I took my mechanic's stethoscope and listed to the valve cover, front to back, and then the exhaust manifold, front to back and heard normal engine noise - rather quiet, actually. I then recalled reading a couple posts where the FP push rod made a similar noise so I then touched the scope to the top of the FP and the noise was very prominent and louder than any other place I listed to. So I'm thinking this is the push rod. Anything I might be missing?

Thanks,
Mikey

 

[pnora]

Unbolt the pump and start it see if the noise is gone.

 

[PlymCrazy]

I had a fuel pump come apart, mimicking a lifter tick or exhaust leak.
It’s worth removing the pump to eliminate it being the culprit.
Replaced it with a Carter.
That was the solution for me.

 

[chrger1967]

Hey all,

What I thought was a lifter tick seems to now be the fuel pump and/or the FP push rod. While the engine was running, I took my mechanic's stethoscope and listed to the valve cover, front to back, and then the exhaust manifold, front to back and heard normal engine noise - rather quiet, actually. I then recalled reading a couple posts where the FP push rod made a similar noise so I then touched the scope to the top of the FP and the noise was very prominent and louder than any other place I listed to. So I'm thinking this is the push rod. Anything I might be missing?

Thanks,
Mikey

Is it a constant tick, or does in last for a few seconds and goes away and then keeps coming back?

 

[Kern Dog]

You didn't mention the engine you have.
If you have an LA series, there is no push rod. If it is a B/RB, the pushrod should measure 3.22 inches. Yeah, you can run the engine with the pump removed. the pushrod will just slide down and be clear of the lobe on the cam.

 

[MikeyM]

Sorry, it's a 383 / B.

If I run the engine without the pump for a min, will I have to address any oil coming out of the FP mounting area?

 

[Kern Dog]

It will not be opening up an oil gallery, it will just be drain and splash, basically gravity pressure....not a gusher.

 

[MikeyM]

Ahh.. cool. Not a BIG mess, just a little mess

Thanks KD.

 

[MikeyM]

Well hell.. now I'm kinda stumped. Last night I removed the fuel pump but left the lines connected. Still heard the same ticking noise. I felt that the FP pushrod had moved down off the cam so I'm pretty sure it wasn't hitting anything, making the noise. So I'm thinking it might be lifter / rocker arm noise but I'm puzzled as to how I hear no ticking noise when I put the stethoscope on the valve cover and exhaust manifold but DID hear it when I put it on the top of the pump. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Mikey

 

[RemCharger]

Does it have a new chain or is this a tired old motor

 

[MikeyM]

Supposedly it has 65k original miles but it had been sitting a while before the PO got it running again. I don't recall hearing this noise when we got the car a few months back. I suppose I could take the stethoscope and listen to the timing chain cover. The fuel pump is close to it and that is where the noise seemed to be coming from.

 

[RemCharger]

Stick your finger in there and roll the crank a bit to see how much slop is in there. ( sounds a bit weird )
Maybe the nylon sprocket is coming apart

 

[MikeyM]

Thanks RC. Do you mean remove the FP push rod and feel the chain through there?

Thanks,
Mikey

 

[RemCharger]

Thanks RC. Do you mean remove the FP push rod and feel the chain through there?

Thanks,
Mikey

Pretty sure you can feel the chain through the fp opening

 

[MikeyM]

Man.. good pic. I would think so. Thanks. I'll keep trying to chase it down.

Mikey

 

[MikeyM]

So another little update - I fired it up again and touched the stethoscope probe to the fuel pump. I heard a small ticking but nothing that sounded "loud" like you can hear with the stethoscope off your ears. I then placed it right were the exhaust manifold touches the head on cyl. number 2 and could hear a faint tapping so that might be it. I'll pull the valve cover to see if I can see anything out of the ordinary. I recently read a post (MOPAR 383 TICKING :( HELP PLEASE) where someone had a similar tick, removed the rocker shaft, "cleaned everything" - not sure what - then reassembled and his noise went a way. In any event, it seems like pulling the cover is in order and removing the rocker shaft to check the lifters.

If it IS a weak lifter, if I recall correctly, you can replace just 1, correct? Any lifter break in needed??

Thanks,
Mikey

 

[Kern Dog]

YES! It is strongly advised to treat the engine as if you replaced ALL of them.
Inspect the base of the lifter and the cam lobe. Any concave to the lifter means the cam lobe is bad too. Time to replace.

 

[RemCharger]

Absolutely sure it's not an exhaust leak...

 

[MikeyM]

Thanks KD. If it is the lifter, how would one break in the replacement? Just like a cam?

RC, I am NOT absolutely sure it's not an exhaust leak. I can't get my hand under there to feel... any ideas?

OH - Another thing is the ticking complete goes away when the engine decelerates after I rev it... if that is any help.

And I do recall that I did have what sounded like a small exhaust leak a couple months back. I did have a loose exhaust manifold bolt so I tightened it and the noise was more quiet, although not gone... but did not sound like this. I suppose I could try to loosen and tighten the ex manifold bolts.

Thanks,
Mikey

 

[RemCharger]

Take a 2 or 3 ft chunk of fuel hose and use it like a stethoscope around the exhaust ports. You'll hear it