Fluttering Engine Noise

[Cougar]

Noise on passenger side 2003 V8 Sport

I noticed when driving at highway speed that there was a strange rattle on the passenger side. It sounded like it was coming from inside the door frame. This went on for a couple months and I could not determine where the noise was coming from for sure.

One day when hand washing it, I noticed the skin on the passenger door was loose. There is a bolt on the inside that I was able to tighten and that took care of the problem.

 

[lclarke0583]

I just bought an 06 SR5 with the same problem (clicking noise at idle that gets louder when accelerating and while driving beside a wall). I have heard the sound since it was new. The vehicle now has 800 miles on it. I took it to the dealer and they kept it for a day, hooking it up to their diagnostic tool, driving it, and checking the vehicle over. They said they found no problems but that the symptoms I described were common of a leak in the manifold. The dealer said the manifold was free of leaks though. It's really annoying though, especially after spending that kind of money on a new vehicle. My question is....is this a common problem? And is it detrimental to the vehicle in any way?

 

[Mashimaru]

Its normal for the v6 runners, don't worry to much about it. I've been around other v6's runners at highway speeds, and at idle all of them have the ticking sound.