Where is this sound coming from?

'07 4R V6 2WD

I have developed a rhythmic popping sound (not loud but distinct) that I thought was an exhaust leak. It's gotten more pronounced over the past week and is coming from the top of the engine toward the firewall. It's there from idle on up, gets louder as you start moving. I can't find the source so far. Anyone else dealt with such a thing?

Thanks!

John

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

It could be a sway bar link or cv axle. Popping is usually the sway bar link.look at your cv axle boots to see if they’re torn.

 

Sorry, I should have been more specific. It's definitely coming from the engine, I located the area of the noise (but not the source) with the hood up, standing in my driveway. It is a steady, rapid sound, much like an exhaust leak.

 

Thank you from California!

 

Welcome!

If you could record and link to a YouTube of the sound it would help out immensely with figuring out what this 'popping' noise is.

BTW, how many miles on you truck?

 

Exhaust manifold leak? Does the sound get faster as the rpms increase? or just stay constant no matter what the engine is doing?

 

Manifold is what I expected but it doesn't sound like it, sound like top of the engine at the back. The sounds rises and falls right along with RPM, so when I first heard it I thought, "Ah, got an exhaust leak."

 

I'll try the video, good idea. It has 152K on it.

 

a mechanic stethoscope might be able to pin point exactly where its coming from

You can find them on Amazon for like $8

 

Okay, let's see if I did this YouTube thing right.

https://youtube.com/shorts/1GUgZFW4Mns

And the truck has 152K miles.

Thanks!

 

Video is private.

 

I swear I'm better at cars than technology - or maybe neither. I think it's good to view now. You'll see the air cleaner assembly is gone, and now the sound is louder.

 

Got the video up

 

Sounds like you have leaking exhaust manifolds... the sputter sound is likely that. Does it change, even slightly, when warmed up and driving around? Throw some soapy water on them while it's just started (cold) and look for bubbles!

 

I thought exhaust from the beginning but it sounds higher than manifolds. It's pretty much that volume at all temps now. Soapy water = great idea! Beats feeling around a hot manifold.

 

Maybe intake manifold? Seems more loud on drivers side...

 

If it’s the exhaust manifold you’d know it by moving your hand around that area and feel for hot exhaust gases. My gut’s telling me it’s something with the intake side of things. An exhaust leak shouldn’t be a causal for that kind of surging idle, an intake leak would be a more likely candidate. Since the intake manifold interface on the drivers side is under the plenum you might try looking underneath with a mirror to see if there’s a separation or crack in either the interface or housing.

 

Okay, like the old saying, "If it quacks like a duck..." What sounded like an exhaust leak was an exhaust leak. Weird acoustics under the hood had me looking up top. Anyway, it was the driver's side, replaced the gasket (old one was trashed) and did the passenger side too. Kind of a pain with the stud positions but not terrible. Now quiet like before. Thanks for everyone's input!

 

That's great to hear!! Nice work and thanks for the confirmation!

 

BTW, your soapy bubbles suggestion was what sold me on the exhaust manifold leak. So, thanks!