Another timing belt question...
 

Another timing belt question...
 

Just replaced the timing belt on my 95 Ranger 2.3 4 cylinder tonight. She's about to turn 60,000 miles and Ford recommends it at this mileage interval, so I decided to tear into it. Other than a little difficulty breaking the crank pulley bolt loose, and getting the PS/AC bracket out of the way, it was a fairly simple job. Got it all put back together, fired it up and had a very pronounced tapping, not knocking, identical to the sound of a motor with a bad lifter. I quickly shut it off and double-checked to make sure nothing was rubbing or hitting anywhere. The oil pressure gauge had shown normal oil pressure. After finding nothing I started it up as I had put cooling system flush in it and let it warm up. Gradually the tapping got quieter, then went away. Now it is just as quiet as it always was, but the thought of something being wrong in there worries me. Anybody have any ideas as to what might have happened to make a noise like this that would just go away by itself? :-X16

Another timing belt question...
 

Yeah, I've had a noise that goes
away on its own, every time I start
my Contour, sounds like a dozen marbles
in a coffee can. Turned out to be normal
when using the thin oil Ford recommends...


Steve & the Rockette
'63 F100
'68 F100
'72 Capri 2L
'73 Capri 2.6L V6
'73 MG B GT 2.6L V6(Ford)
'98 Contour SVT 2.5L V6 (Mods)
'01 ZX2 (No Mods yet)

Another timing belt question...
 

I've heard my wife's Explorer make that sound sometimes, this was a once and done thing. It never had a rattle to it before, started it up this morning and it didn't make a sound, runs as quiet as it always did. Guess I won't worry about it, it's not doing it anymore. I do run the thin oil Ford recommends, not used to buying 5W-30. This is the newest, lowest mileage truck I've ever owned, gonna try to do it by the book! But the oil recommended sure does seem thin! Thanks for your input!

Another timing belt question...
 

I stepped up to 10W-30, the noise went
away for the most part, at least 'til I
grenaded the engine... sounds really bad now...


Steve & the Rockette
'63 F100
'68 F100
'72 Capri 2L
'73 Capri 2.6L V6
'73 MG B GT 2.6L V6(Ford)
'98 Contour SVT 2.5L V6 (Mods)
'01 ZX2 (No Mods yet)