2011 SHO Engine Noise

[Spydre13]

Hello everyone, first post here. I bought a 2011 SHO with just under 55k miles.

I have a couple questions I was wondering if anyone could help me out with. I didn't test drive any other SHOs before I bought this one, and I probably should have verified this before purchasing the car, but it runs great so I didn't think it was anything major. I've heard that these direct injection engines sound louder just idling than most other engines, but I'm wondering if the sound mine makes is normal. I can hear what sounds like fuel injectors "ticking", but I also hear a lower pitch sound almost like a light "dieseling" or "knocking" noise once the car is warmed up. I uploaded a video of it so people can listen compare to the ones you've heard:

http://youtu.be/yk4cgvWw7Qc

If there is anything not normal I'm hoping I can get it taken care of under warranty since the powertrain warranty goes until 60k miles.


The second question I have is also about a noise, but this one I think is normal. Every time you open a door or unlock the door with the remote, if the car hasn't been running in a little while, I hear what sounds like the fuel pump running for a few seconds. Is that normal, and does anyone know if it is the fuel pump or something else?

Thanks!

-Nate

 

[SHOdded]

How a new 2011 SHO sounds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXQOY6ZEdDU
approx 2:50 mark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE2eTj3Bm2g
about the 5:15 mark

Yours might have a bit more pulley/bearing noise, but not too bad. The engines are not the quietest around. You could get an oil change done with a quality full synthetic oil and a good filter for peace of mind, so you know what is running inside the engine.

Fuel pump does prime when locking/unlocking doors in anticipation of being driven. Perfectly normal.

 

[Spydre13]

Thanks for the reply. I did see those videos before, but it's hard to hear the engine clearly with all the background noise and him talking. However, in that second video at about 5:35 when he goes around the left (passenger) side, I hear the knocking I was referring to very clearly for a couple seconds. Any idea what that noise is? It seems too slow and low pitch to be injectors. Reminds me of the sound my old Volvo made when the VVT pulley wasn't working so the exhaust timing was off when idling.

 

[Dave]

The ticking that we all have is the High Pressure Fuel Pump. That is most likely what you are hearing. Most likely.

 

[Calgary]

ive also noticed this ill post a video of mine. mines in relatively the same condition as yours 76600 kms 2010. I dont like the way it sounds and i dont know what to tell the ford people they usually shrug at me and ask if i want the plugs changed. lol
http://youtu.be/x846M7enAeA

 

[Calgary]

have you changed the plugs?

 

[Spydre13]

The ticking that we all have is the High Pressure Fuel Pump. That is most likely what you are hearing. Most likely.

I had seen someone mentioning this before, but didn't understand how a fuel pump would make a ticking sound. Since you mentioned it again, I looked into how the high pressure fuel pump works (this is my first direct injection vehicle). It looks like the pump is driven from the camshaft, and there is a solenoid that turns on and off very frequently, so now it makes sense. Thanks for the help! This video explains it a little bit, assuming it's similar in our cars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M9BITr1zhg

have you changed the plugs?

I haven't changed the plugs. I didn't check the manual yet but it seems like most cars don't need the plugs changed until around 100k miles. The sound doesn't really bother me other than when I hear it I'm always paranoid that something is broken.

 

[SHOdded]

This video explains it a little bit, assuming it's similar in our cars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M9BITr1zhg

Good find!

 

[brucelinc]

The high pressure fuel pump makes a lot of racket. If you remove the engine cover and pull the rubberized noise-reducer from the pump, you can really hear it. Use a metal rod as a stethoscope and you can easily pin-point the pump as the culprit and it is normal.

Regardless of what Ford says, 100,000 miles is too long to run the plugs. I changed mine at 50,000 and the gaps had eroded from the recommended .035 (for stock) to well over .040 - some as wide as .043. This has nothing to do with engine noise but changing plugs at 50,000 is good maintenance.

 

[TheDailySHO]

Welcome Spydre13. Your engine sounds exactly the same as my 2013 with only 18000 miles. Sounds perfectly normal and I test drove and popped the hood on numerous SHO's before buying mine. I don't think you have anything to worry about and I agree with the fuel pump diagnosis. Enjoy the car!

 

[Spydre13]

Regardless of what Ford says, 100,000 miles is too long to run the plugs. I changed mine at 50,000 and the gaps had eroded from the recommended .035 (for stock) to well over .040 - some as wide as .043. This has nothing to do with engine noise but changing plugs at 50,000 is good maintenance.

Thanks for the tip, I'll replace mine soon then. And I'm going to do the plugs in my Flex ASAP since it's just over 100k (bought it with 93k, and it's non-Ecoboost).

Welcome Spydre13. Your engine sounds exactly the same as my 2013 with only 18000 miles. Sounds perfectly normal and I test drove and popped the hood on numerous SHO's before buying mine. I don't think you have anything to worry about and I agree with the fuel pump diagnosis. Enjoy the car!

Thanks for the reassurance, I'm glad there's nothing to worry about! Now I guess I can start debating which tune to go with