For me there is a major correlation between the tick and an engine failure. My long block was replaced after I brought it in for engine tick. I took the same advice you're suggesting the first time around, ignored it, deemed it normal, and the car left me on the side of the road.
I'm not sure what the original issue was to be honest and I don't think the dealer does either. My car started misfiring and throwing codes for crank sensors and cam sensors. They started diagnosing it as if it was an electrical issue, but after they started to tear down the engine they found serious damage on mechanical parts of the engine including cams, crank, and bearings. In addition to that they found metal glitter all over the engine and in the filter. They stopped at that point and replaced the long block. Engine harness was reused so maybe it is a electrical issue. Who knows. All I know is I'd rather be in a loaner that can get me to work rather than to wait and see if the mustang will leave me stranded again. Which it has done 3 times.
(but Im not anticipating that.)
I'm not trying to seem rude here so please hear me out. Accepting an engine that makes loud metal knocking sounds and passing it off as normal is beyond unacceptable. I would be inclined to believe you if every single gen 3 coyote made this sound but there are a lot of them out there that don't, including my new engine up until this point. Couple that with the fact that in my personal experience the engine was completely trashed, I'm not going to accept an engine that ticks, knocks, etc. I'm not about wagering 40 grand that this motor will be fine after the warranty ends, even though my last one didn't make it to 8000 miles.While the previous engine may have had BOTH the "tick" and the electronic failure(or some type of additional failure, they are, in my opinion, unrelated. I dont think the tick issue generally goes in this direction. The fact that replacement engines still have this tick and it is showing up in 19's indicates that this is most likely an inherent issue. There are many that have this tick (including F150's and previous gen coyotes). I admit that the noise is sometimes very troublesome. But then there are times that it doesn't make it at all. I truly believe that your issue was related to something aside from the engine tick. Until Ford acknowledges that this is an issue and can address it, I will drive mine. If it chunks a rod, I will take it in then.
Not rude at all. I completely understand. Thing is, I really love this car and this is the reality in which we find ourselves. As someone who has worked in the car business for 20 years and built my fair share of engines, this just doesnt bother me enough to want to get rid of my car. Should it be making these noises, heck no. But I am ok with weathering the storm to see what comes of it. We have more questions than answers at this point and I am content to just drive my car and see what happens in the future.
That's sounds way worse than the usual BBQ tick.
If you have other car in mind, just lemon law the stang and get into another car.
