Loud knocking noise, lifter maybe or injectors ?

Definitely op's engine sounds much louder than other 3.5's I've heard. What it can be, idk, but doesn't sound good.

 

Yea I don't think that ticking is supposed to get worse touching the throttle...

 

I can tell you the 3.5 engine in my truck doesn't. While it sounds like a small well running diesel when opening the hood, it's not got those loud ticking, or tapping noises. With the hood shut you hardly notice any difference from any other engine.

 

Yea both of mine just had/have the normal injector "tick" and slightly more audible cleaning cycle. The noise in the video sounded more metallic than it should...

 

Seriously, I’m am a complete skeptic of additives. I went over to my friends at BITOG for some input. One member on there looked into it and it has some really good cleaning additives and is probably not complete snake oil.
The proof is in the results, his motor was ticking like the OP’s for years and multiple oil changes. He has changed the oil once or twice since adding this stuff and it’s still virtually silent compared to my third gen.
Can’t hurt to try it.

 

My vacuum pump made a knocking sound only when fully hot at idle. It was not a “tick” it was a “knocking” sound……sorta like a rod was gonna come thru the side of the block but only at idle…. It would quiet down at increased rpm.