definitely a tick coming from my truck. should i be worried? how do I go about diagnosing?

-3.9 v6
-just replaced tensioner pulley, belt, thermostat(180), and coolant
-tick seems to follow pedal movement
-could it be the 5w30?

just bought this truck and its the fourth vehicle i have owned that ticks, the first three all ended up blowing motors.

 

What year is it? Could be timing chain noise. Some 3.9's had no tensioner on the timing chain which caused a bad noise.

Jimmy

 

its a 2001 still runs pretty rough

 

my 01 used to tick, threw some lucas oil stabilizer in the next oil change, tick gone, must of been a sticky lifter. there's a TSB on the tick, it's a common complaint yet wont hinder the engine in anyway, but it's good to check your oil level though.

 

ok I just showed it to my dad and it was there but not as loud(of course he thinks im hearing things). the engine has been cooling for about an hour. I heard the noise on the way home from my mechanics, so like 20 miles, after he had replaced thermo, belt, and pulley. the oil has less than 500 miles on it and it is 5w30 castrol, shouldnt it be 10w30?

i read it could be timing chain but I dont think its loud enough, should I avoid driving hard?

 

10w-30... waaaay to goooo for your mechanic... but that wouldnt be causing it, it's a common problem on nearly all of the magnum engines with the oem parts. it depends if it's a lifter or the timing chain, either way i wouldnt sweat it. do the oil change yourself next time. i do 3 quarts castrol gtx 10w-30, 1 quart lucas oil stabilizer, and spend $12 on the K&N oil filter. filter is worth the money, has an excellent micron rating. also i've pinpointed a similar tapping noise to the EVAP system tester. it's right behind the left headlight, next to the battery. next time you hear obnoxiously loud lapping, put your hand on it and feel if the solenoid is going at it. thats fine too

 

timing chain would do the tapping all the time. Usally not a problem unless driven hard...

Id like to try some of that zmax stuff... But Yea if lucas helps go for it! I also find 10-30 works better than 5-30. Iv ran 5-30 now for a bit and to be honest it ran smoother with 10-30.

 

Possible exhaust leak at the manifold, that will sound like a tick and it will change with the temp of the manifold. Usually it quiets down as it warms up if it's a small leak. Look to see if you have any broken studs or bolts at the exhaust manifold. Another common problem.

 

WTF I took it to my mechanic and he couldnt hear anything and neither could i. so have been driving about 30 miles everyday and tonight I finally heard it again! not extremely loud but nasty.

obviously if it was something fatal the truck would be dead by now right?