When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a 98 sohc engine that has an intermitent noise that sounds like sticky valves or tappets. It usually makes the noise when I stop, however, when I try to listen for the source, it gradually goes away. Any ideas?
Only mine sounds like an air leak or rush and at times like a diesel clatter when the hoods is down. Like yours, it comes and goes (mostly goes) but I know its coming from the engine area rather than underneath. Car runs fine at all times, however.
I called my local Ford dealer and they said the only problem they were aware of on the 4.0 SOHC engine was an "O" ring seal problem on the intake manifold. Mine was bought used and out of warranty but I'm going to take it in for diagnosis and to see if there is "service bulletin" or extended warranty. Let me know if you have found the problem and I'll do likewise once its fixed.
I am reading this board tonight because I took my 97 Explorer to dealership today for the "Ticking Noise" but really sounds like car out of oil!!! My dealer told me this was a know problem with 96, 97 and earlier 98 engines and Ford has not figured out what the problem is. I LOVE my explorer and was heart broken. This noise only gets worse as the miles pile on and was confirmed by the tech at the dealership! No help was offered and as far as he was concerned there was no help offered to them by Ford. There was also another Explorer sitting beside mine with same problem!! The tech said that ford had replaced some engines and tried to find the problem but didn't find problem or damage from dirving. But guess what?? New engine had some problem starting around 20k HELP!!!
I have a 96 sport that just recently started having the same ticking noise as you mention here. A friend of mine has a 97 and experienced the same thing and it turned out to be the heat shield on the cat converter. That does not appear to be the case with mine but I am going to check it out. Since I just had the transmission rebuilt recently and the noise sounds like it is coming from that area, I assumed it had something to do with that but the tech at the transmission place said that the noise was "common" with Fords and that it was more than likely the fuel injectors(?). He also said that there wasn't much I could do about it. So i don't know if this helps anyone but I sure could use some ideas if anyone has any.
I RECENTLY PURCHASED MY '97 SPORT IN SEPT '99. I FOUND THAT IS MAKING THAT SAME "DIESELY" KIND OF NOISE. AFTER 1 WEEK OF HAVING IT, I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE BELT TENSIONER, THEY REPLACED THAT, WHICH DID NOT WORK. THEN THEY SAID IT WAS THE CAT CONVERTER. THEY REPLACED ALL OF THAT . AFTER THEM HAVING IT ALMOST 2 MOS!!, I STILL HAVE THE NOISE. MINE IS THE SOHC ALSO. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF PROBLEMS THEY'VE HAD. THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY IS UP! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!! COULD THERE POSSIBLY BE A RECALL IN THE FUTURE???
I've got the same "desiel" ticking sound with my '93 LTD. I noticed it shortly after I bought it(used in '98) but after warrenty ran out. Now has 109k, had 56k when I got it. No problems of any kind with the engine though. I origianaly thought it might be the water pump going bad but no sign of problems. Could it be noisy fan clutch or something in the serpintine belt ckt?
I'VE POSTED A MESSAGE BEFORE ON THIS BOARD. MY '97 EXPLORER HAS THE NOISE YOUR TALKING ABOUT TOO. I'VE BEEN SOAKING UP ALOT OF INFO FROM THESE MESSAGE BOARDS, DEALERSHIPS, ECT. ONE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE A BATCH OF FORDS('96-EARLY '98 SOHC MODELS) THAT HAD AN INEXPENSIVE VERSION OF BEARINGS PUT ON THEM WHICH CAUSES THE NOISE. THEY HAVE REBUILT OR REPLACED ALOT OF THE MOTORS ON THEM. I ALSO HAD A FRIEND, WHO IS A MECHANIC AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, LOOK AT MY TRUCK AND HE SAID IT WAS THE LIFTERS. WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTS, IT DISTRIBUTES OIL THROUGH THE LIFTERS WHICH LUBRICATES THEM AND MAKES THE NOISE GO AWAY AFTER A LITTLE WHILE.THAT MAKES SENSE TO ME. I AM TAKING MY TRUCK IN AGAIN ON MONDAY, HOPEFULLY I WILL FIND OUT FOR SURE THIS TIME. I AM TIRED OF GETTING UNNECESSAY REPAIRS ON MY TRUCK THAT I DON'T NEED. I'LL KEEP YA POSTED!
there is a service bulletin out concerning this noise. They replace the Cam Chain Tensioner with an updated version. I had the same problem that everyone is descibing. They did the TSB and it has been perfect since.
IS A CHAIN TENSIONER AND A BELT TENSIONER THE SAME THING? IF IT IS,I ALREADY THAT REPLACED. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP,WITH A BAD HYDROLIC LIFTERS DIAGNOSIS AND THEY SAID IT WAS IN FACT THAT. APPARENTLY, THAT IS WHAT IS GOING WRONG WITH MOST OF THOSE EXPLRS. MINE WAS THE 3RD ONE BROUGHT IN THAT WEEK FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROB.I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS, IT WILL BE FIXED WED. MAYBE YOU COULD TELL ME IF THERE IS ANY LONG TERM DAMAGE THAT COULD BE DONE WITH DRIVING ON THE BAD LIFTERS. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT I COULD DRIVE IT UNTIL THEY HAD THE PARTS. AND IT HAS ALSO BEEN MAKING THE NOISE SINCE SEPT. (WHEN I BOUGHT IT) HOPEFULLY NOTHING ELSE WAS WORN OR TORN IN THAT TIME. THANKS
IS A CHAIN TENSIONER AND A BELT TENSIONER THE SAME THING? IF IT IS,I ALREADY THAT REPLACED. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP,WITH A BAD HYDROLIC LIFTERS DIAGNOSIS AND THEY SAID IT WAS IN FACT THAT. APPARENTLY, THAT IS WHAT IS GOING WRONG WITH MOST OF THOSE EXPLRS. MINE WAS THE 3RD ONE BROUGHT IN THAT WEEK FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROB.I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS, IT WILL BE FIXED WED. MAYBE YOU COULD TELL ME IF THERE IS ANY LONG TERM DAMAGE THAT COULD BE DONE WITH DRIVING ON THE BAD LIFTERS. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT I COULD DRIVE IT UNTIL THEY HAD THE PARTS. AND IT HAS ALSO BEEN MAKING THE NOISE SINCE SEPT. (WHEN I BOUGHT IT) HOPEFULLY NOTHING ELSE WAS WORN OR TORN IN THAT TIME. THANKS
I have a 98 explorer sport v6 sohc. I had the same noise as described by all of these messages.
They replaced the timing chain, and i have not heard the noise again. It has been about six months - still runs good.
Looks like I spoke too soon about the Cam Chain tensioner TSB correcting my problem. The ticking noise on cold starts came back. I took it back into the dealer and they called me yesterday and told me that they are ordering a new engine for it.
I HAD TAKEN MY EXPLORER IN AGAIN AND THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE CHAIN TENSIONER. I GUESS THEY HAD TO PULL THE MOTOR TO REPLACE IT. I FINALLY SOUNDS GOOD. HOPEFULLY THE NOISE WONT COME BACK. MY WARRANTY WAS UP LAST WEEK. DO YOU KNOW IF THERE IS A TSB,WILL THEY FIX IT OUT OF WARRANTY? I WOULD HOPE SO SINCE IVE TAKEN IT IN ABOUT 5 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY.