Does anybody know a cure for the sporatic lifter noise associated with the 2.9L? I'm talking about the tapping you only hear at every other stop sign. There is no pattern. Does replacing the lifters cure this problem or is this "just one of those things you have to live with" like I keep hearing? Everybody I talk to says the same thing. "Thats typical for a 2.9" is the response.

I have already tried different oil weights and additives and the oil is changed regularly.

 

You have already answer it on your own there known for being noisy. My 1984 2.8 v6 is but my 1988 2.9 is not. You may need to change the lifters but no one can say that the new lifters won't make noisy . If you do check the cam lobes for wear.Good luck.

 

There is a service bulletin that may be applicable here. If the noise is coming from the passenger side only the chances are good that it is caused by the EGR vacuum solenoid mounted under the black plastic box on the inner fender. The EGR is only supposed to operate at a steady manifold vacuum, which is why it may be somewhat intermittent. Check the dealer to see if your part number is one of these noisy solenoids. Mine is and as long as I know that I don't care. It's working fine.

 

2.9L have hydraulic lifters, so you can try to adjust the push rod and that may get rid of the noise for awhile.

 

Hi Kevin,
If the lifters are adjusted properly which is usually the case... The problem is that the oil pump is not supplying the top end with enough lubrication. When any other motor makes this noise you know its time to put oil in your car. As a matter of fact it would usually be about two quarts low.
It could be the oil filter, pump, screen and/or oil passages are clogged.
It also, coming from a Top Ford mech. friend of mine, could be a sheared pin on the lobe that the oil pump lever rides on. A substandard pin that commonly shears on the 2.9L and 2.8L also.The pump would still spin somewhat when cold but with heat the lobe would begin to slip, causing the oil pump to loose pressure. Thus not lubricate the top end enough and cause the lifter tap. something, he told me, Ford knows about.
To me it would signal a factory defect.
Investigation would most likely prove my own opinion that ford subcontracted the manufacturing of the pin for these motors to a diferent company, outside the one(s) that make pins for other motors without this infliction. It makes me wonder, after seeing so many posts and it(The Tap)being such common knowledge, that it hasn't been thoroughly investigated. In my opinion Ford is getting away with selling a defective product on this one. Its common sense to everyone but them with the ability to make Ford admit thier responsibility and resolve the problem.

You didn't hear it from me. Ford does in fact have deeper pockets than I. In fact I would get lost in thier change pocket. I'm just passing on info/opinion that hopefully through a chain of events could lead to factory recall. Nice dream, huh? Better than the reality/nightmare of "The Tap". Good luck and I hope I have helped in the direction in which you persue your individual problem. If all else fails check the pin!

-Keiser-

 

My 86 2.9L was noisy too. But then I tried some of that CD-2 Oil Detergent, which is supposed to help quiet lifeters, and clean valves and whatnot. It helped a little, but then the tap came back. So I got some of that STP Oil treatment stuff, that is as thick as honey. Since I put that stuff in, the tap has left.