Yeah no kiddin'. I would love to have a factory warranty cover this stuff. So it's a blessing for sure that you have one.
Definately wouldn't hurt to have them check it out. Do you want me to post up the Ford diagnostic guide for you to use yourself ahead of time? Better yet, here it is.....and don't pay attention to the "built before 11/1/2002 only" crap. It's been proven that any 03-04 can get it. And it's also a different head number than what's in the guide for the improved heads. Since they didn't come out until Jan 05.
Article No
03-11-4 ENGINE - MUSTANG COBRA - TICK NOISE FROM ENGINE - COBRA VEHICLES
EQUIPPED WITH ENGINES BUILT BEFORE 11/1/2002 ONLY
Publication Date: May 23, 2003
FORD: 2003 MUSTANG
ISSUE:
Some 2003 Mustang Cobra vehicles with engines built before 11/1/2002 may
exhibit an unusual engine tick noise that is present at all temperatures
during idle. This noise may be due to valve guide wear in the left bank
cylinder head. Guide wear manifest itself as a tick noise which can be heard
at the rear of LH head, through LH catalyst, at the LH front wheel well and
may not be heard with the hood open.
ACTION:
Use the diagnostic procedures listed in this article to evaluate the vehicle
condition and replace the cylinder head if applicable. Refer to the
following Service Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE: THIS REPLACEMENT CYLINDER HEAD WILL NO IMPROVE OR REDUCE PERFORMANCE.
In order to diagnose noise, the following items must be checked:
- Verify noise by placing a stethoscope on the back of the left head near
the exhaust ports.
- Verify that the noise is heard in the left side exhaust system (left side
wheel well or catalytic converter, from underneath the vehicle).
- Try to isolate the noise by cancelling the cylinders, by unplugging the
injectors one at a time (start with #8 cylinder).
- Verify that there are no exhaust manifold leaks.
- Check to make sure that the camshaft spacers are in place. If not, install
cam spacers (per Workshop Manual Section 303-01C) and retest vehicle.
- Check for proper cam sprocket bolt torque, retorque to spec listed in the
Workshop Manual Section 303-01C.
- Check for spongy lash adjusters (refer to Section 303-00 in the
corresponding Workshop Manual).
- Verify that the timing chain tensioner pin has been removed.
- If the above diagnostic does not eliminate the noise while the cylinder
are cancelled, and the engine was built prior to 11/1/2002, replace the left
side cylinder head and cam assembly with Part Number 3R2Z-6049-GA. Refer to
Workshop Manual Section 303-01C for cylinder head replacement procedures.