I have a 2004 xlt 4.0 4x4. When I accelerate it makes a weird ticking/ clicking noise. It does not seem to happen when clutch is engaged or when in neutral and increasing RPMS. It is louder or appears to be louder in 1st and 2nd gear and fades somewhat through 3 and 4th and not noticeable in 5th. I’ve only noticed recently when warm enough to have windows open. I’ve read a few post about rust in the exhaust possibly making this noise. I do not hear any loose Rist inside pipes anywhere when knocking. It does have the abs light on due to bad sensor. I also found a bad sway bar link that makes metal to metal noise as well but not sure that is the true cause. I recently replaced the tail pipe and it had a cherry bomb on it so I replaced that as well with new clamps. Any thoughts on what may be causing this noise l? Could it be the sway bar link? Seems to good to be true and not matching the timing of the noises.

 

My 4.0 sohc sounds like a little sewing machine at idle between the valve train noise and the injectors. Plastic valve covers aren't sound proof. Very clear tick tick tick noise but it gets covered up by other sounds as you increase rpm. Is this ticking you hear occuring at idle? If it's only noisy while driving then it's more likely a drivetrain/suspension noise than an engine noise.

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Faint ticking noise in backround

 

Does not happen at idle I also saw some where maybe starter still engaging or hitting flywheel. Noticed burning clutch smell as well sometomes