E250 Engine Knock
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E250 Engine Knock
Good morning! I've recently purchased my third Ford Econoline van. It is a 1998 E250 with the 4.2L V6,automatic.It's also the second van I've purchased with a blown motor.After towing the van home I find the motor cranks and starts fine. It does however have a very loud hammering noise which I'm not sure is engine internal.The engine idles smooth,builds solid oil pressure and maintains solid oil pressure,coolant temperature seems normal.While idleling the noise will sometimes go away(briefly).The noise seems to be to be at the back of the engine or front of the transmission(with the dog house off) Torque convertor bolts are tight,no signs of metal scraping,flywheel teeth look ok(starter solenoid not releasing?)Can a torgue convertor make such a noise? Anything at the back of the engine or front of the transmission that could cause the noise? Or am I tone deaf and hearing a rod bearing? Anyone with any ideas wil be greatly appreciated!!
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
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Engine knock
Thanks for the reply.Yes it seems to run very smooth. I have not however driven it on the road.Revving it from idle it sounds ok.A cracked flex plate has been a thought of mine.The sound is almost like someone hitting the plate or torque convertor with a hammer. The vehicle was a delivery van for a parcel company.It's got around 275,000 miles on it.I do not have any maintenance records.
Last edited by E150; Oct 23, 2004 at 02:54 PM. Reason: Add Info
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
And it sounds like it's coming from the trans, or between the motor and trans. It does indeed indicate a broken flexplate.. Pull the trans, or motor, and inspect the area where the flexplate bolts to the engine. It's probably cracked. If it was a bad rod, or cam the engine would run bad.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Pine Bush, on the mtn.
E-150,
I also agree with the flexplate. I recently bought an F-350 diesel M/Dump, I already knew the flexplate was cracked, but listening to it run, could sound much like an engine knock or internal problem. At least with the van, seperating the trans from the engine is easier than the diesel with 4 wheel drive!
Good luck!
I also agree with the flexplate. I recently bought an F-350 diesel M/Dump, I already knew the flexplate was cracked, but listening to it run, could sound much like an engine knock or internal problem. At least with the van, seperating the trans from the engine is easier than the diesel with 4 wheel drive!
Good luck!
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Joined: Mar 2013
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Flex plate or rod knock?
My van was run nearly dry of oil and now has what sure seems like a rod knock which only appears when driving past 40 mph. I am curious if a stethoscope could help locate which rod is worn? I have never been so cheap as to open an engine to replace only a rod bearing in hopes of gaining a few months of use, but I am really desperate for cash. I can't pull the motor, so if it is the plate, I'm toast. Or could I plan to replace all the bearings on the one side where the noise is surely coming from, which is the driver side, close to the back.
On a side note: My Windstar blew a head gasket and there is oil all over the place under the hood. I purchased a gasket set. I have done head gaskets on V-8 engines, but never a fuel injected six (3.8L). Anything especially different I should know before I open it up? Can I get away with only doing one side?
On a side note: My Windstar blew a head gasket and there is oil all over the place under the hood. I purchased a gasket set. I have done head gaskets on V-8 engines, but never a fuel injected six (3.8L). Anything especially different I should know before I open it up? Can I get away with only doing one side?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
On a side note: My Windstar blew a head gasket and there is oil all over the place under the hood. I purchased a gasket set. I have done head gaskets on V-8 engines, but never a fuel injected six (3.8L). Anything especially different I should know before I open it up? Can I get away with only doing one side?
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Good morning! I've recently purchased my third Ford Econoline van. It is a 1998 E250 with the 4.2L V6,automatic.It's also the second van I've purchased with a blown motor.After towing the van home I find the motor cranks and starts fine. It does however have a very loud hammering noise which I'm not sure is engine internal.The engine idles smooth,builds solid oil pressure and maintains solid oil pressure,coolant temperature seems normal.While idleling the noise will sometimes go away(briefly).The noise seems to be to be at the back of the engine or front of the transmission(with the dog house off) Torque convertor bolts are tight,no signs of metal scraping,flywheel teeth look ok(starter solenoid not releasing?)Can a torgue convertor make such a noise? Anything at the back of the engine or front of the transmission that could cause the noise? Or am I tone deaf and hearing a rod bearing? Anyone with any ideas wil be greatly appreciated!!
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A wiped out rod bearing will ring thru to the bellhousing area and fool you sometimes
Stethoscope test is needed
Cracked flexplate not common on 4.2
Some noisy converters were not a cracked flexplate at all
The flexplate just flexed too much causing the bolts to rattle against the torque converter
The fix was shorter heads on the new flywheel bolts
Or you could just grind the bolts down some
You can see witness marks if this is happening
Stethoscope test is needed
Cracked flexplate not common on 4.2
Some noisy converters were not a cracked flexplate at all
The flexplate just flexed too much causing the bolts to rattle against the torque converter
The fix was shorter heads on the new flywheel bolts
Or you could just grind the bolts down some
You can see witness marks if this is happening
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