[chaotix000]

Ok. So I'm new here and I've had this clicking noise in my '01 3.8 for almost a year. I've never had the money or time to fix it but I feel as if it's preventing me from passing smog. The car only makes the sound at about 2k - 3k RPMs then goes away at higher RPMs but it also makes the sound at idle as well. My father-in-law thinks it could be a bent valve lifter or it could be the cat. converter under the passenger side as when we where crawling around under the car he had the idea to shake it and it made a little rattle sound. From inside the cabin it does sound like its more from the passenger side but I can't seem to figure out it it's coming from in front of me (lifter) or to the side of me (cat.). Any help would be greatly appreciated as I would like to move forward on the other problems with this car.

[MustangV6Man?]

I'm no pro here so watch for better answers, but maybe a stuck lifter?

[2000 Mustang "Pegasus"]

could be an exhaust leak, passenger side manifold or where the manifold meets the mid pipe im pretty sure i have the same thing...start the car and listen under the glove box then put it in drive it should get louder

[kromestatus]

Just had this problem on my 04' V6 and got it fixed, it was the manifold, both sides for me but that was just bad luck on my part. It clicks and sputters,comes back, goes away at some rpm's etc. and is especially loud on a cold start or on a cold morning until you drive it for a bit then goes away.Despite what answers you have been given, i'd be willing to bet money that its the manifold. I was told a bunch of different things until I actually just buckled down and got it fixed, and even that was the hassle. I took it to the dealer and 2 different mechanics and no one could figure out exactly what it was. They all said a mixture of things but turned out it was only the manifold being cracked, thats it. Go get it welded at a muffler shot or a blacksmith, it only costs about $35 dollars to weld if you take off the manifold and bring it to them, or maybe about $120 if they take it off and weld it + put it back on because of labor. A lot of 99-04 mustang have this problem because of a design flaw, and the crack is usually too small to see unless you physically take off the manifold and inspect it, about the thickness of a piece of paper can make a pretty decent sound clicking form the engine.

[chaotix000]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll have to take a look at it. Probably will take it off the battery's dead anyways. It's not goin' anywhere.

[goren813]

Most likely the manifold issue. Remove the midpipe then the manifold and check it for cracks. It'll be getting worse over time and will eventually blow.

If it is indeed cracked take it to a machine shop or anyone who can weld and for roughly $25-30 it'll be good as new. Rather than dropping $150+ on a new one.