I recently bought a 2005 Mustang GT 4.6L that had a squealing alternator belt and bad alternator bearings, replaced both. Now I hear a ticking noise coming from the engine after it warms up. I think it's a rocker arm or cam phaser, need to pull front cover and take timing apart to get to it. Shops want $3500-$4000 to fix it but there are videos of the repair online. How urgent is this problem? Is this something I can fix myself with patience or should I just sell it and cut my losses? Thanks 🙂
Why not use a mechanic's stethoscope to try zeroing in on the source? It might be just 19-year-old fuel injectors ticking. Always check the simple things first. (Really this should have been caught during the pre-purchase inspection.)
I do have a mechanics stethoscope I tried using but I don't have the sharpest ears. There definitely was not any obvious terrible noises but there was ticking that was quiet in the back of the passenger valve cover and loud at the front. Might be a cam phasor?
I agree I wish it was caught. I replaced the ignition coils, spark plugs, not the injectors yet. It sounds like a cummins diesel/grandma's sewing machine right now though.
There is a TSB regarding a ticking noise for your engine:
https://themustangsource.com/galaxie/tsb/tsb05_15_08ticking.pdf
I would search for more examples of ticking, and would look for a shop that has extensive knowledge of the 4.6L 3V before I made any decisions.
