Clicky sound
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Clicky sound
I inherited a 1983 Ford Econoline van. I'm not sure if it is the model or not but it could be a 305?
I'm not very savy when it comes to vehicles. It has a few quirks but runs fine.
But...I've started to have a clicking sound when I start the engine and the clicking sound speeds up as the van speeds up. A friend said it might be a cracked manifold. I have no idea what a manifold is but would appreciate some information before I take it to a mechanic so that I can at least ask some intelligent questions.
Does this sound like a cracked manifold? I drove (perhaps foolishly) over 500 miles last week with this clicking sound and nothing happened to the van. It runs fine but has this clicking sound. Will this cause the engine to break down or some other problem?
When I take it to a mechanic, if it is a cracked manifold is it a major repair? Is it the type of repair that an average garage could do or should I take it to the Ford dealer (the dealer is more expensive!). Should a mechanic make other repairs while fixing a manifold or is it an isolated part?
Thanks for your advice. I'm going to park the van until I hear back. I'll be on my bike for the next while.
I'm not very savy when it comes to vehicles. It has a few quirks but runs fine.
But...I've started to have a clicking sound when I start the engine and the clicking sound speeds up as the van speeds up. A friend said it might be a cracked manifold. I have no idea what a manifold is but would appreciate some information before I take it to a mechanic so that I can at least ask some intelligent questions.
Does this sound like a cracked manifold? I drove (perhaps foolishly) over 500 miles last week with this clicking sound and nothing happened to the van. It runs fine but has this clicking sound. Will this cause the engine to break down or some other problem?
When I take it to a mechanic, if it is a cracked manifold is it a major repair? Is it the type of repair that an average garage could do or should I take it to the Ford dealer (the dealer is more expensive!). Should a mechanic make other repairs while fixing a manifold or is it an isolated part?
Thanks for your advice. I'm going to park the van until I hear back. I'll be on my bike for the next while.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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What motor? 6 or V8, and what size and transmission.
On 6 cylinder engines, it is not uncommon for the exhaust manifold to come loose and leak.
The manifolds on an engine are the parts where the air/fuel goes in and the exhaust comes out.
The air/fuel is the air coming in via the air cleaner to a carburetor or throttle body, and the fuel is added in the carburetor or the fuel injection system.
In order to split the one source into, in your case, 6 cylinders, a manifold is used--one hole in, 6 holes out.
The exhaust comes out of each of the 6 cylinders. The exhaust manifold gathers the 6 inputs into one output that connects to the exhaust pipe, muffler and tail pipe. 6 holes in, one hole out.
There are variations, but that's the short version.
Do you know someone with experience? Auto repair is a hazardous business when you don't know about the car. The worst is people who out and out lie to you, the next worse is having to pay someone to tinker and fuss and guess
because you can't explain what's wrong, or because that's their way of getting the hourly pay up and they know you'll fall for it.
Check:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/
Big section on auto stuff.
Happy motoring.....
On 6 cylinder engines, it is not uncommon for the exhaust manifold to come loose and leak.
The manifolds on an engine are the parts where the air/fuel goes in and the exhaust comes out.
The air/fuel is the air coming in via the air cleaner to a carburetor or throttle body, and the fuel is added in the carburetor or the fuel injection system.
In order to split the one source into, in your case, 6 cylinders, a manifold is used--one hole in, 6 holes out.
The exhaust comes out of each of the 6 cylinders. The exhaust manifold gathers the 6 inputs into one output that connects to the exhaust pipe, muffler and tail pipe. 6 holes in, one hole out.
There are variations, but that's the short version.
Do you know someone with experience? Auto repair is a hazardous business when you don't know about the car. The worst is people who out and out lie to you, the next worse is having to pay someone to tinker and fuss and guess
because you can't explain what's wrong, or because that's their way of getting the hourly pay up and they know you'll fall for it.
Check:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/
Big section on auto stuff.
Happy motoring.....
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New User
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Thank you. I guess it's not a manifold as the sound comes from under the hood and not from underneath where all the exhaust pipes are. I think the van has 8 cylinders (I'm assuming if there are 8 spark plugs, that means 8 cylinders?)
I appreciate the website referral. A little bit of homework might save some money. The van already has 94 thousand miles! That's probably the life span.
I appreciate the website referral. A little bit of homework might save some money. The van already has 94 thousand miles! That's probably the life span.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,513
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The exhaust manifolds are under the hood, attached to either side of the V8.
If you pull your doghouse off, you will be able to see and listen to the engine a little better.
Clicky sounds can also be valve lifters, which can sometimes be freed up with a hi detergent oil additive.
Anyway, do your homework and good luck.
If you pull your doghouse off, you will be able to see and listen to the engine a little better.
Clicky sounds can also be valve lifters, which can sometimes be freed up with a hi detergent oil additive.
Anyway, do your homework and good luck.
