98 1500 4x4 5.2 towing a uhaul across N Dakkota right now. A few minutes ago we started to hear a frequent ticking noise from the left side in the engine bay area while driving). All gauges are showing normal. We pulled off the side of the road and let it sit but it was not doing it while not driving.

Pulled back on the road again and pretty soon even at 40mph it started doing it again. We dropped it out of OD and at 65mph it is not doing it. Anyone have any thoughts? We are not exactly at a place where we can just pull off.

 

I get a ticking noise at idle on the drivers side. I hear it if i pull up against a drive threw (sp?) Been going for a year solid. Truck still runs the same... I wonder if mine isan exhaust leak.

 

oil level good? if not, when you get time check your plenum gasket for a leak, you might be sucking out oil and that side of the motor is not getting enough to keep it quiet (it's normal tone).

 

another thing... are you using premium? if not on your next fillup do premium and see if it goes away (indicating pinging)... which could be a leaky plenum gasket

 

personally when my poor little beat on and abused dakota i used to have started that it was exhaust manifold bolts loosening or breaking off. Might want to chck them and 9 out of 10 chances if they are loose and you take a wrench to them they break off. i thought i had blown the motor when the last of them broke. it was a fun job as well haha

 

yep.. sparck knock.. I gots it.. Prolly have ablown plenum gasket on mine, I run premium + Octane booster that seems to help allot :-)