I have a 91 Explorer with the 4.0 V6 and valve lifter noise that's allway's there when its cold. I flushed the engine, and used most oil aditives on the market and tried synthetic oil and the noise wont go away. Any ideas other than an engine rebuild?

 

This is a fairly common problem on the early model V6's. I've had the same problem on my '92 for the last 40k miles. I tried the same things you tried to no avail. I don't know of any easy fix, so have just learned to live with it.

 

Try cleaning the MAFM. I have a 91 with the high comp motor and it is very sensitive to the condition of the MAFM. My 94 will also do this but it is not as sensitive. My 91 has 9.7 :1 compression versus my 94 that has 9.4:1. (I have the comp test results to prove it) Check your vin and see what motor you have if you have the high comp v-6 it is much more sensitive to its state of tune in generial. Plugs, air cleaner, wires, vacume leaks will all cause the pinging that you describe.

On another note both my 91 and my 94 are rated at the same HP but my 91 definitely has more hp. I also have noticed that my 91 likes mid grade or premium gas while my 94 prefers good old 87 octane.

Dean

94 XLT His
91EB Hers

 

You dont use fram oil filters do you? If so, chuck them and get a K&N or Motorcraft filter. Fram has been known to cause the lifter noise.

 

Being this old I use what's ever on sale. No I dont think it was a Fram. The last aditive I tried was Mystrey Oil (Red in Color) and that so far had worked the best.(Stuff Smells like Tranny Fluid.)
Someone else recomended adding a quart of tranny fluid to the oil and said it worked for them. Not sure if I want to do that. Maybe that's a last resort thing just before selling a vehicle. lol
Sell it yea! Thats the best way to get rid of this anoying noise!

 

Had the same problem with my 91 What it is the rocker arms and pushrods wear the only way to fix problem is replace both rockers and all pushrods Fram filters are as good as any other filters as long as oil is changed regular and a good quality oil is used

 

Had the same problem with my 91 What it is the rocker arms and pushrods wear the only way to fix problem is replace both rockers and all pushrods Fram filters are as good as any other filters as long as oil is changed regular and a good quality oil is used
REMEMBER NO CHEMICAL ADDTIVE WILL CORRECT A MECHICAL PROBLEM

 

Davey, how many miles are on the truck?

 

(147K on the this Engine) And with that milleage it sould be expected to make a lil noise. I can agree with the mechainical wear on the rockers and push rods. I also think a colapsed lifter could be casuing the noise. Sometimes a thicker oil can help and sometimes I've none it to make it worse. It depends on what the problem is. I tried Risoline through it first then went on to synthetic oil then on to Restore, then on to a few bottles of Wal-Mart Oil additive. Then discovered a slow cranking engine on cold mornings and low oil presure. So I then thined it with Marvel Mystrey Oil. All had varying results and at times I thought I got rid of the noise, only to have it come back again. I guess the only answer would be to replace the cam, lifters,rockers,push rods and also the timing chain while I'm at it. But it wouldn't be worth putting that kind of money into this vehicle so it looks like it's going to be traded in for a ....... ?

On the Fram Filters could they be to restrictive? I have used Fram on other vehicles and I think they are a very good filter.
My father always used Havoline oil and it always came out of the engine alot darker than other oils (Black! from the High Detergency!) There must be something to it. Inside his valve covers I found it always to be clean even after 100 thousand miles. I think all oils are quite good except for that cheap stuff that looks dark brown out of the bottle.

 

I don't think you have to change Cam & Lifters right away just try the rockers & pushrods first if you don't want to spend to much money on it I think your going to find that to do the job.
As far as oils go after working in Ford dealerships for over 20 years I found it a good ideal not to recommend a certion brand on oil I have had people come back with comments like "will you told me to use this kind "so I just tell everybody use which ever you like.
But like I said before
"NO CHEMICAL ADDITVE WILL CORRECT A MECHANICAL PROBLEM" no matter what some people will tell you.What you have is a mechanical problem correct the problem don't support the additve companies by buying all their junk

 

"NO CHEMICAL ADDITVE WILL CORRECT A MECHANICAL PROBLEM"

Amen---- Although I am still trying to perfect Barring in a bottle Or better yet Transmission bands in a bottle. Ok I will stop.

Re oil filter I have used Fram in my race car for years and never had an oiling related problem. I have used them in both my explorers and again I Have not had any problems.

My only comment regarding oil is that make sure that it meets all the federal specifications. I do not have a problem using less expensive oils as long as they meet the standards. In fact in some cases I think you are paying for the name and not the oil brand.


Dean