I had a problem with my 98 4.6. At about 115000 mi, it started clicking from the right head. I figured it was a failed lash adjuster. I was sure I would be able to tell the bad one when the cover was off. I purchased two adjusters "just in case". Took the cam cover off
FTE NOTE* "(BPITA)" and found two adjusters felt "weak" or "pumped out" by appling thumb pressure. Swapped them out and she was quiet for one whole day. Then she started clicking again. I was very
ticked for not getting the right adjuster (see aforementioned PITA). Decided not to be tricked again and ordered six more adjusters to replace entire bank. She was quiet for one whole day. Major disappointment and frustration.
Decided to attempt running engine with cam cover off. The difficulty in removing the cover is the
wiring harnesses on the firewall above the cover. These all had to be re-attached to start her up.
With the engine running I observed very low oil flowing from the adjusters. Actually saw bubbles erupting. Again by applying thumb pressure to running rocker arm at the adjuster, I could force it down and cause major clicking.
Obviously not enough oil was getting up there. But why? The
service manual described a oil restrictor in the head that could become clogged. No information was given about how to check it. Did a GOOGLE search and found the
article at the address below. From that I was able to determine the location and that it was driven into the head. Used vise-grip to twist it out. Found a wad of rubber gasket like material plugging the passage. Cleared the clog and she is back to normal. Very quiet.
I cannot imagine how this material gets past the pick-up screen, through the oil pump, and through the filter intact. It was a flat circular piece about the size of a bottle cap gasket. There was only a small tear in it. Maybe someone placed it inside a new filter and put it back on the shelf and I was the lucky guy who put it on. Who knows?
Anyway, the restrictor could easly clog with mung if your engine is dirty inside.
GOOD LUCK,
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Will it help to clean it with brakleen or something?
