Hey, Scotty and all of the group members here! I took my 2007 F-150 5.4L Triton in for a diagnostic on ticking noises with 183,700 miles at startup that goes away at higher RPMs and when left in the summer sun for a long time. The shop believes that it sounds like an exhaust leak, and found carbon buildup around the PS exhaust manifold. They said this truck is notorious for studs breaking off and needing drilled and tapped out. They recommended I take it to a muffler shop. So if this is the cause of the ticking, what would be a good repair bill estimate to get this fixed? Does anyone have any ballpark idea so I am not getting scammed? Thank you guys so much!
Well if that is the problem. A repair estimate is just a guess. Because you never know what's going to break off, you're more relying on the honesty of a mechanic. You would just have to have an honest mechanic that you trust will try to do it and if things break he's just going to have to start drilling and grinding and he'd have to be honest on that. Anyone could lowball you with a cheap price and then when it breaks start charging you more.
@scottykilmer Thank you Scotty! Getting it fixed Monday morning for $850ish bucks. You rock!