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!!!!

But still sounds like its a lifter problem!!!What options are there???

 

What oil filter are you using? If you are using a fram, toss it now. Frams have poor quality anti-drainback valves. This keeps the oil up in the oil gallies, and when the valve does not work, like on a fram, the oil will drain back into the pan, creating a dry start. I used to swear by frams, and then it cost me an engine and a read up about them, use motorcraft, wix, hastings, or purolator. One of those is about the best thing you can do for your ford. What weight oil are you using, if oil is too thick, there is not enough volume to fill the lifters right away. 5w-30 should be fine for your truck. How often do oyu change your oil, if it is really gunked up in there, you will not get good oil flow, you have have great pressure, because the oil is not going anywhere. My chebbie used to have lifter knock on startup, even after i switch to wix filters and with 5w-30 mobil syn blend oil. I change my oil and filter every 3k religously. When i changed the oil i replaced one of the quarts of oil with a quart of Marvels Mystery Oil. MMO will clean out your engine better than any other product i have used. I change my oil 1000 miles after that, and i could not imagine what was coming out of an engine with only 40K on it. After about 200 miles with the MMO, my lifter knocked stoped. I got better oil pressure, and everything sounds good. I now used it every other oil change, no problems yet. New lifters are no good if they are not getting enough oil. Hope this helps.

 

Well, i will try that!!!I am using10w and motormaster Prem oil filters!!!I will try the Marvel and switch to 5W!!!I change oil frequently also!!!I had another MECH. listen to it , and figured it is piston slap or slab, not sure exactly which!!!Still dosn't sound good!!!but he figured he wouldn't lose no sleep but thats easy for him to say!!He figured it might not get much worse but suggested the only cure would be to rebuilt it!!!I myself Just HATE The sound of it!!!Love the sound of good running engines!!!Not this one,,,and pretty sure first owners just never took care of this truck.....Thanks again and any suggestions on engine rebuilting greatly appreciated<especially if i can Get MORE HP out of this!!