Truck has clicking noises... have sound file

[jonesy2006]

I have a 1996 Ford Ranger 4.0L about 160k miles. The noise is somewhat intermittent when the engine gets warm. Here's a link to 2 clips I recorded. One is constant...the other I was trying to locate where it picks up the noise. I recorded it right behind the block behind all spark plugs.

http://www.soundlantern.com/UpdatedSoundPage.do?ToId=12133

http://www.soundlantern.com/UpdatedSoundPage.do?ToId=12132

Any suggestions?
Thanks guys!

 

[GOODOLEBOY84]

kinda sounds like the egr tube leaking maybe, i dunno if the rangers have a secondary air injection but if so i might be that? just throwing something out there to ya

 

[skinner]

First one sounds like a 12 yr old watching porn for the first time....
Or Boggin looking at TrucksGetDirtys pics...


In all seriousness...
It's REALLY hard to pick up the necessary tones to identify it. Can you be any more specific. If you don't feel any vibrations in the engine/tranny, I'd also point towards exhaust....mine did something similar...and it turned out to be the exh manifold separating from the pipe. Can you describe it as well as possible? Is it RPM dependent?

 

[Earl43P]

Are all the spark plugs tight?

PCV valve tube not broken/cracked? Does sound change if you pull the oil cap off?

Put a leather glove on and cover/grip the egr tubing/connections while you listen.

Got any exhaust manifold bolts missing?

 

[skinner]

If its exhaust...it sounds bad enough for you to be able to feel air. Be careful and put your hand all around the exhaust, then down even by the end of the manifold. If its exhaust and that loud, you WILL feel hot air.