Greetings, i've posted on here before this same thing, but made a new discovery. Heres what im talking about

i have a '91 explorer 4 wd eddie bauer. It has 174,000 miles on it, and runs flawless. only problem there is a noise that sounds like a lifter, but isn't. We had it at Ford and they went through and put new rocker arms and pushrods in. That fixed the backclatter , but that lifter like noise was still there. THey were puzzled. Lifters are all good, oil pressure is good. They later diagnosed it as a lower engine noise, perhaps piston slap or wrist pin. Only one problem with their diagnosis, this noise has been around nerely 75,000, and hasn't gotten worse or doesn't burn oil, still runs perfect. Until today i was also puzzled and getting sick and tired of that noise, its such a nice car but that noise...you can understand. Anyway, today, was at Ford asking about brake pads, and ran this noise passed an elderely gentleman who had worked at Ford for awhile. i first started talking to him a bout it, explained it, and then all of sudden he had remembered soemthing, and he said, something in the fuel rail, on top of the engine made that lifter like noise. (The noise sort of ticky knocky...its not a rod, thats a fact. ) But ultimately, my question is, what should i look for or have fixed in the fuel rail , on top of the engine that COULD possibly cure this noise? Much help is appreciated, i feel im finally getting close to fixing the nosie.

-Robert

 

Robert,

I had a constant "clicking" in my engine. Here is part of a post I made on another forum:

"I don't know if you have made any progress or had the clicking in your engine fixed. Just thought I'd update you on what I'm doing.

I have removed the passenger side valve cover. Everything appears clean and in order. Pushrods, rocker arms and springs move correctly when the engine is cranked. No evidence of lack of lubrication.

I did find one thing that you might want to check ...

When I removed the upper intake manifold, I noted that the stud bolts on either side of the #3 cylinder were corroded. I didn't think much about it until I decided to remove the fuel rail so I could remove and clean the lower intake manifold.

The stud bolts on the OHV engine have two functions: they are a threaded shaft for the upper manifold retaining nuts and are also retaining bolts for the fuel rail. The stud bolt furthest back was less than finger tight and had backed out about 1/4 inch.

I'm curious if the bolts had finally backed out enough to allow the fuel rail or upper manifold to "jump" and cause the click as the intake air was forced out the side. Its a long shot but the only abnormal thing I've seen so far. (Except that there was no gasket between the upper intake manifold and the fuel rail even though the manual mentions one.)

I'm going to remove the other valve cover and the lower intake manifold. (I'm undecided yet on removing the heads to check the lifters. I guess I should while I'm this far along.) Then I'll clean everything up and reassemble it with new gaskets."

My vehicle is still running fine two months later. (I never did remove the heads and lifters.)

Does this sound like your situation? I have an audio file of the noise that my engine was making if you would like me to e-mail it to you.

Regards,

Rich

 

Hmmm.

Is this noise you are referring to sound kind of like a dieseling sound at idle, or maybe a loose heat shield on a cat. converter?

I've got the above noise from somewhere in the engine compartment; sounds like from front of the motor.

-Harold
'99 Exploer 4.0 SOHV

 

please email the audio file of the nosie if you could to

quicksilver2001(No Email Addresses In Posts!)



thanks!

 

PS.

To describe my noise, here are facts.

Has been making this noise 3 + years.
Does NOT burn oil.
Engine is strong and has great power.
Noise is loud when first started, after running, gets quieter, but still present.
Noise is really loud in cold wheather at first, before it warms up.
If you leave it in park, it will go away completely, but may slowly ocme back, then leave again.
IF you have it in drive, and are at a stop, it comes and goes too, and usually completely gone if engine is warmed up.
Its not a rod knock.
Had rocker arms and push rods replaced. No difference.

Thanks.

 

I think I may have the same noise and problem with my Explorer. Can you send the audio file to me at ttrv(No Email Addresses In Posts!) please?


Thanks.

Tony