Well, lets see,first off, had a 97 V 6 ranger,never had a problem!!then got it smashed up!!Then got Girlfriend to replace it while I was laid up!!So she got me a 98 Ranger V4 2.5 liter,looked good on the outside, but the insides ,another story…this was Oct 2002,,There was A little pinging noise then but very small and only when cold started, and went away shortly after!!!Now, the PINGING has gotten worse, louder and stays Much longer!!!Have replaced all plug wires, filters,spark plugs…no better.,Have added additives still no luck….Then Check engine light was coming on,,,turns out it is the EGR…I have not replaced it yet cause Mechanic said it was only affecting its ommisions so it could wait.Have brought it to a few garages and most believed it to be the Lifters,,,so,,

I got 8 brand new lifters,,got them put in,,,and guess what,,sounds like it could be worse then before!!!!I’m still off due to my accident and fianicially screwed!!!that ran me about $400 including labor and now wondering what it could be?Any ideas!!Money is very short and wondering how this can be corrected in the least expensive manner!!!Or is the engine on its way out????The pinging can only be heard really when it parked and just started,, then reved between 1600-2000 Rpm, but now it lasts after driving for an hour,stop and rev it up between 1600-2000 rpm and still making that terrible pinging noise.Pretty sure its in the upper engine,cause it still sounds like the lifters are sticking!!!!But there ALL BRAND NEW!!If I were not in such fianicial trouble I would just get rid of it or leave it at the garage for awhile until they fixed it!!!But there not options!!Help Greatly Appreciated and Welcome!!!!Before it maybe 2 late!!!

 

Welcome to FTE raordogg.
After reading your post, I would be inclined to dump the truck and eat the loss. JMHO.
At present, you'd be better off to park it so it doesn't get worse before you can get up some cash to fix it.
You've got multiple opinions blaming the valve train for the noise. You could be looking at repair costs near what it would cost to rebuild the whole engine.
Sorry to hear you're between a rock & a hard place.

 

Not a real option yet either!!!But thanks.I kinda figured it was bad after i replaced all the lifters. The truck does have 145000 kms !!! But has good Power and sounds perfect when driving at 2000-3300 for sure!!!But i do appreciate your resonse!!Any suggestions how i might go at solving this problem at "least cost " point of view",say like what sould i check for on the upper end?? One rocker did have a chip out of it say on the other side that connects to the lifter!!I mentioned to the mechanic but he said it was not no problem or concern!!!Was he wrong!I never said the mechanic was that good either!!!New to this Province!!!but any suggestions are greatlty appreciated!!!

 

Try your local salvage yards. The one with the best warranty on a used engine hopefully will also have a good price. If you go that route, inquire at local engine rebuilders about them buying your old motor for some cash.