i changed the oil, put in tropartic syn blend 5w30 and a motorcraft FL1a filter. Engine was quite at first. I put 50 miles on it yesterday. This morning i start it and drive out of the garage and i hear a ticking sound from the top of the motor. The sound does not go away untill the oil warms up. This is my 99 Ranger with the 2.5 four.

The owner man. calls for a fl400 filter, could the fl1a cause this or is the oil too thick? The previous version of this motor used the fl1a, ford switched to the fl400 in 98 when they lengthened the stroke.
thanks Dan

 

a ticking sound says a lifter is sticking, if this is a pushrod motor. did you go too long
whithout changing the oil last time? if so, or if the sound persists, try some marvel
mystery oil in your crankcase (about 1/2 qt or so) and see if your oil turns darker
after about 100 miles. if so, you need to get some gunk in the oil galleries that is
blocking the oil flow somewhat. how many miles on this enginge? your valve train
could also be wearing down, and a valve lash adjustment may be needed.

 

Took the Fl1a filter off and put a FL400 on. Still have the noise, it is deffinetly a rocker arm sound like lifter is not fully pumped up. If i vary the rpm it will get louder and or go away depending on rpm. Most noticable at 1200rpm. CAnnot hear it at 2000 or higher.

Do I dare keep this oil or should I bite the bullet and change brands? If it won't cause damage I would like to leave it in for 1000 miles before changing.

Thanks Dan

 

There shouldn't be anything wrong with the oil. You may have had trash in the filter from the manufacturing process and it is now trapped at the lifter restricting oil flow. Unfortunately, this is far too common with all brands of filters. I would run it and if it doesn't clear up by 1,000 miles, buy some cheap 5w-20 and change the oil only, not the filter, and use it like a flush. Run it around 100 miles and change the oil and filter to your favorite brand.

 

Thanks,
why does it quite down after the oil gets up to temp?

Oh if it makes any difference the Ford dealer I bought the truck at changed the oil before I bought it with NorthLand lubricants 5w30.

Dan

 

As oil reaches its normal operating temp, it is thinner than at cold startup- flows better and easier.

 

I've heard of leaky exhaust manifold gaskets causing a ticking sound, a slight leak may stop enough, due to metal expanssion from heat, for it to not be noticeable.

 

Good point, an exhaust leak on one cylinder will make a "ticking" sound. An
exhaust leak will change sound with the load on the engine....

 

I know what you mean about the exhaust leak, but this is deffinetly in the valve train. As the engine and the oil come up to normal temp the sound goes away.

I do have a thump thump sound though too. sounds like a diaphram opening and closing. Not sure if it is the egr valve?
Dan

 

"I know what you mean about the exhaust leak, but this is deffinetly in the valve train. As the engine and the oil come up to normal temp the sound goes away."

Not arguing but the same thing could happen when your exhaust manifold heats up.

 

I think the problem is getting worse, I have only put a couple hundred miles on since the change. I am going to try to go a 1000. I have a short tripp scheduled next week 200 miles round trip.

Also deffenitly worse at cold temps. Today was 17 F and it was loud yesterday was 50 F and never made any noise.
Dan

 

Check the repair history of that 4-cyl engine in other trucks. I have heard of significant problems, but different from yours with that engine. It is very likely that the oil and filter are not even related to the lifter noise, as it could just be a bad lifter.

 

I had a Nissan Pickup, four cylinder that developed valve train noise as the result of using a cheap Fram oil filter. Back flow relief valve apparently failed and through the life of the oil I had no oil in filter during start-up. Just another possible cause.

 

I have driven 1000 miles noise still there when cold started. I am going to drain and fill with Motorcraft 5w20 per Flash recomendation and put another 1000 miles on. I will be making some road trips next week and should be able to get close to the 1000 miles over three trips.

Flash do you see a problem with me using the 5w20 for sustained highway driving 100-200 miles at a time at 3000rpm? or should I try the castrol start up 5w30?

Thanks Dan

 

Drained the Trop artic 5w30 tonight and put in Motor craft 5w20. Drove truck about ten miles and shut it off. Let cool and restarted it. Noise still there. Next week will be the test. Monday I will put 200 miles on in the morning then 200 more that night. Tuesday I will put a100 miles and Thursday I will drive 230 in the morning and 230 back home that night.

Dan