03 4.6… noise. Not good

Just drove the most dependable car I've ever owned from AL to Jax, to get started on fall contract work. Will be driving home tomorrow, for one day job,  local, on Wednesday. 
unfortunatly, I get here today, and the 4.6 2v, with "only" 112000 miles is ... tapping?

Sounds exactly like a valve lifter noise, but it's definitely from only the front, and not constant. It will rap for about 10-20 sec. , and then stop for 30-40 sec. Then do it again. Is it the cam phasers? 
P. S. Any recommend shops in Jax, that could do the whole job tomorrow?

In reply to 03Panther :

That's a big ask.  First I'd get some Rislone.

See if that helps any. 

As far as shops that could do that tomorrow I can only recommend Smart Tire Napa on North University.

2104 University Blvd N, Jacksonville, FL 32211

Get there before 8am when they open.  They're good peeps.

Cool. I'm at dinner now, and phone is about to die. I'm up near airport. I hope risoline and oil change will get me home!

In reply to 03Panther :

Yeah try that tonight first.  If you're near the airport you're like 20 minutes from that shop if it doesn't work. 

Also check your spark plugs, they're notorious for loosening and blowing out. On my '01 Mustang GT (4.6 2V), the hot tip was to torque then slightly more than the stock spec (16 vs. 13 ft-lbs or something like that).  Also check the manifolds for cracks.

Edit - also check your serpentine belt tensioner.

In reply to dj06482 (Forum Supporter) :

Just bought a tensioner , belt, and idler pulley from rock auto, before this trip, in case ov problems. I'm about 50% sure I put it in the trunk! I hope so. 
Not plugs, and I don't think manifold. Sounds like the intermittent rattle is right in the v at front of engine... right where alternator is. But being intermittent, but reasonably consistent, I don't think it's the alt. bearing. Tensioner and idler are much lower on engine, but ya know how sounds are!

If it does end up being cam phaser bad, what parts should be replaced while that far in?

going that far with a cam in block, I'd upgrade while at it... but that's WAY out of budget here!

Im keeping this till it returns to it elements, so I don't mode spending for best bang for the buck, but it's also going on CC, so...

Have you checked the intake manifold at the plastic crossover at the front?  Those are prone to cracking (but if it did, you'd probably know about it).

When was the last oil change?  Are you using a quality filter or a cheapie with a cardboard drain back valve?  They leak and reduce pressure at important points like the top of the engine.  

In reply to dj06482 (Forum Supporter) :

Have not checked that close, and may be an additional problem... will check close in am. But this tapping ain't that. I don't think...

In reply to Stampie :

Ok. Wally only had the risoline "ring seal" 

what the difference in risoline, and the rest of the band aid bottles? If it get me through two days, it'll do!

In reply to AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter) :

Wix filters, although even they ain't what  they used to be

I'll  have to check the mileage  I wrote on filter, last. I tried to check before I left , cause it's coming due, and planed  to change before trip, but... life. 
in Wally now, gonna change in am, either way!

Any chance it's the A/C compressor that's on its way out and the noise changes as the compressor is cycling?

In reply to 03Panther :

I always use the engine treatment on the NA Miatas that like to get a lifter tick.  Always fixes them.  Don't know about the other Rislone stuff.

In reply to No Time :

That was my first thought. But as I watched and listened , it's not. As bad as it would be in this heat, I prefer it to the cam phaser job!

Just timed it, setting at idle. 3 seconds of rattle, 12 seconds not. Repeat. ?

If you have tools with you, I would remove the belt and see if the noise remains.

You can also check to see if any of the accessories feel rough and if the balancer is still intact or if the rubber has failed. 

That will at least tell you if it's internal or accessory noise.

I did throw the parts in the trunk, fortunately. And, even though today em was just to meet the shop manager, and pick up "my" company computer, I dragged tools with me... well, 'cause!

I've never heard any of the belt/Pully/acc. make a regular timed off and on rattle like this, but trouble shooting 101 tells us: check the simple stuff first!

'Course I have no clue why the cam phaser would either - but I've never hard a bad one, just heard  of 'em

OK, does the 03 4.6 2V have ca phasers to go bad? Some on line say no, till 3V. 

I thought the 4.6 only had cam phasers for one year.  2009 maybe?  Either way, I don't think you have to worry about them in a 2003.

The timing almost sounds like A/C cycling on and off at idle.

Had ac off last night...  started it cold this am, no noise. Before it was fully warmed up, I turned ac on, and ; yep, you guessed it. Rattle coming and going. 
After getting to office, bit more paperwork, and I went out to test. 

Took belt off... rattles all the time. So, not any accessories. Might or might not have the troublesome cam phasers, so maybe timing chains?

Put the belt back on, and noise comes and goes, just like before. Timed it this time. 3-4 seconds on, and 12-15 off. 
then I noticed, the reason my AC is not working right, is compressor is cycling too often. But it's obviously an engine noise, not ac. 
THEN I noticed, when the compressor kicks on, 2 seconds later, noise starts. 4 seconds later noise stops. After a couple seconds, compressor stops, and engine stays quiet. When compressor kicks on, cycle starts again

When you removed the belt, did you actually spin all pulleys by hand or just turned on the car? 

I'd remove the belt and turn/feel all the pulleys. Especially the AC compressor.

In reply to 03Panther :

Sounds like the compressor is cutting out / in on the low pressure switch from your description.  

Can you get a shorter belt and temporarily bypass the A/C?