I couldn't bring myself to sign up for a mustang forum so I am posting here. My brother in law has a 2002 V-6 mustang. He really doesn't know much about cars so I will be fixing it for him.... and showing him how for the future. Anyways here is my question:

His car has a really loud ticking noise. I thought it was exhaust as that was what it sounded like. I couldn't find any leaks however. The noise goes away after the engine get warmed up. So I thought maybe its a valve tick maybe because it wasn't getting oil until the oil warmed up so I took of the oil filler cap and started it up cold and saw it was getting plenty of oil to the top end. So I don't think its that. My only other thought is that it could be the donut gaskets between the exhaust manifold and the y-pipe. May cold they don't seal but as it heats up and expands they do, but I would think I would still feel a leak when its cold... I didn't, but not to say there isn't one.

Any OTHER ideas of what could cause a ticking noise that goes away once the engine is warmed up?

 

Have you tried the "screw driver trick" to hear what it is coming from?

 

No I haven't, but thats a good idea... I will try that tomorrow.