i have a 2002 4.7 and there's a ticking noise at startup only last till warm and i thought it was the lifters and i put some Lucas oil treatment in it didn't help any i just hope its nothing like a piston slap its a very light tick but all the exhaust manifold bolts are good should i take the exhaust manifold off anyway and check? what are some ways to find out what it is

 

There are dozens of ways and dozens of videos on checking for an exhaust leak. First step is to isolate the location then feel for the leak by hand.
Be sure to check the connection at the cat, and check the manifold for cracks.
Unless you isolate the problem to the exhaust manifold, I would advise against removing it as a troubleshooting step.
You mention piston slap. Are you burning oil or have poor engine performance?
If you think the ticking could be internal to the engine, you can listen to the valves with a mechanic's stethoscope or a length of garden hose.
Get the location of the ticking first then troubleshoot from there.

 

okay, i don’t think i’m burning oil but i’ll try to listen to the valves thanks

 

My ram ticks like hell on startup for a second due to the higher oil pressure needed to go through the high efficiency oil filter. If it doesn't go away after a few seconds then it's likely not that. I second jr's advice as well as look for codes. One of the things I HATE about these trucks but helps with inspection is they don't show an engine light for non emission codes driving, only during battery/acc on. If that is lit then get out the scanner.

 

i don’t have no engine lights no nothing i hear the tik next to the wheel but not on top

 

Exhaust mainfold bolts are the common answer. Next thing i would do is remove valve covers an inspect the rockers, lash adjuster(lifters) and valve springs. Have had many lash adjusters not stay pumped up and a few valve springs broken. The flex plates will sometimes crack and its not easy to pin point, dealer sells lots of them so its common. I hope its just a loose bolt somewhere for your sake.

 

yeah my engine was never beat on but i heard changing lash adjusters is difficult is that true

 

Any 4.7 that runs is beat on. They beat themselves up. Lash adjusters are simple to change. Remove valve cover, rotate engine over as you pry off the rockers doing each rocker when not depressed by the cam lobe. Lifters pull right out of there hole. Both sides could be done in an hour or 2 easily.

 

okay i can hear like 2 sounds one sounds like a bunch of marbles moving around and one is a tick