Tapping
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Frisco, TX
Tapping
I found a TSB that I think covers the rattle I hear ( 03-20-7 OCT 03 Engine/Exhaust System - Vibration/Rattle On Acceleration ). My question is, is this something that I have to pay for ford to fix? I am not the original owner of the vehicle and it's not under warranty anymore. Can you guys and all of you infinate wisdom point me in the right direction?
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 43
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From: Frisco, TX
Well, there's a tapping/rattle noise coming from the engine. Seems to go along with the RPM's but only while in gear. The tapping isn't there while the engine is in park or neutral. It's worst when cold but as the engine warms up it subsides a good bit but never seems to go away. I know the oil pressure guage is an "idiot" guage but it stays at the half way mark. Any ideas? 
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Florida
there are many many different types of tapping noises an engine can make and it's impossible to decipher what your problem is. However, the 4.2 had an inherent tapping noise that comes from the motor, something about the oil valve or something. Anyway, it's natural. I switched from 5w20 to 5w30 and it quieted the noise down alot. If this is the same noise your hearing, which everybody else has, then it's completely normal. try switching to 5w30 oil, it'll quiet her down a bit.
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Frisco, TX
I'll try switching oil but what would actually fix the noise? Oil pressure relief vale is what I've read that can cause the problem. I think I saw somewhere that replacing it with the '03 one will fix it. How hard is it to get to this thing? If it's not harmful to the engine, I don't mind using different oil to quiet it down, but if it's not hard to fix the problem all together I'd rather do that.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Florida
You can't fix it. I have an 03 and mine has made that tap, tap, tap, tap, tap noise since the day I drove it off the lot. You can't stop it. It is all powerful. Perhaps, if you had some kryptonite you might be able to weaken it's powers enough to subdue it, but otherwise your pretty helpless against its ominous powers.
Tom
Tom
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Freshman User
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From: Frisco, TX
There's got to be a way to fix it beside kryptonite. or replacing the engine 
come on... anyone?
come on... anyone?
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Florida
96 what year is your truck?
I'm telling you that the noise is common. Take it to the dealer and let them tell you that, if you don't believe me. The noise can't be fixed. Some of my friends sometimes even mention "hey, I think you've got a valve tap or something", but it's not that. It's just the naturaly sound of the motor. Swing by the dealer and ask them, you'll see. You wont get anyone else here to answer you different. This topic has been discussed dozens of times here.
Tom
p.s. If you come accross any kryptonite though, give me a shout as I am in the market for some right now.
I'm telling you that the noise is common. Take it to the dealer and let them tell you that, if you don't believe me. The noise can't be fixed. Some of my friends sometimes even mention "hey, I think you've got a valve tap or something", but it's not that. It's just the naturaly sound of the motor. Swing by the dealer and ask them, you'll see. You wont get anyone else here to answer you different. This topic has been discussed dozens of times here.
Tom
p.s. If you come accross any kryptonite though, give me a shout as I am in the market for some right now.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
I heard that the only way to get rid of the sound is with another catalytic converter. You see, cats are like mufflers too, they muffle sounds.
But in the case of the tapping, you weld a cat between the throttle body and the intake. it also acts as a catalyst for the incoming air, speeding up the chemical reaction that takes place within the combustion chamber. This should be good for 22.3 hp and 41.0 ft-lbs of torque on our 4.2 liter engines.
It sounds obsurd, but i'll try to post some pictures of my setup and the dyno sheets as soon as i gain access to a photoscanner.
Hope this helps.
p.s. Tom i know someone with kryptonite, but it's not legit. So if you keep it on the down low, he'll slang you a sack.
Rman
But in the case of the tapping, you weld a cat between the throttle body and the intake. it also acts as a catalyst for the incoming air, speeding up the chemical reaction that takes place within the combustion chamber. This should be good for 22.3 hp and 41.0 ft-lbs of torque on our 4.2 liter engines.
It sounds obsurd, but i'll try to post some pictures of my setup and the dyno sheets as soon as i gain access to a photoscanner.
Hope this helps.
p.s. Tom i know someone with kryptonite, but it's not legit. So if you keep it on the down low, he'll slang you a sack.
Rman
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Florida
Rman,
what are you crazy talking about that stuff open on the internet????? We could get in serious trouble. I've been to smallville and that skinny bald kid freaks me out.
BTW, I welded 5 cats along the top of my roof. so that way, when i'm driving down the road, the air blows through them and rids the atmosphere of unwanted polution. In addition, I ran some tubing from the back of the cat through my rear window and into the cab, this way i'm always breathing freshly catalyzed air.
what are you crazy talking about that stuff open on the internet????? We could get in serious trouble. I've been to smallville and that skinny bald kid freaks me out.
BTW, I welded 5 cats along the top of my roof. so that way, when i'm driving down the road, the air blows through them and rids the atmosphere of unwanted polution. In addition, I ran some tubing from the back of the cat through my rear window and into the cab, this way i'm always breathing freshly catalyzed air.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
Tom,
You welded them on? I cut a roof rack from an expedition in half, and zip tied mine to it. That way I can take them off and sell them in the parking lots of smog check places, for a quick profit.
By the way 96,
I use mobil1 synthetic, 5w30. I'm not even sure what tapping noise you all are talking about, but I sure don't hear it. Between my synthetic oil, sound deadened cab, flowmaster muffler, and radio, my truck makes no noticeable sounds
Rman
You welded them on? I cut a roof rack from an expedition in half, and zip tied mine to it. That way I can take them off and sell them in the parking lots of smog check places, for a quick profit.
By the way 96,
I use mobil1 synthetic, 5w30. I'm not even sure what tapping noise you all are talking about, but I sure don't hear it. Between my synthetic oil, sound deadened cab, flowmaster muffler, and radio, my truck makes no noticeable sounds
Rman
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Florida
Actually, my rattling cats under the driver side make so much noise come to think of it, i don't hear the tapping noise anymore either, but I know it's there.....haunting me....taunting me....egging me on. Ah, but then I just crack open another cold one and light a butt and all my worries disapear into the sweet sounds of country music coming from my stereo.
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Freshman User
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From: Frisco, TX
I have more questions about this. What's the difference between a recall and a tsb? I love this truck but this noise is driving me nuts. I see a couple tsb's that might be the problem - 03910 and 03207. I also saw a couple dealing with exaust stude being broken. Everyone keeps telling me that it's normal and to just live with it or use a 10w30 instead of 5w30 oil. That only addresses the symptom. The noise is caused by something and should be fixable. I just want to know if it's something that Ford has addressed in these TSB's, if it's something they will take care of or if it's something that has to be paid out of my pocket. I know that it could also be the exhaust. I haven't been able to really look at it yet but that's going to be my first course of action because the sound is less noticeable after the engine warms which would almost make sense. Metal expands as it gets warm causing the gap between the 2 pieces of metal to decrease which should make the noise less noticeable.... At least that's my thinking.