Engine clank
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Nashville
Engine clank
I have recently noticed a knock or clank in my engine on my 98 xlt. I always change the oil on time. I am using valvolin 5w-30 full synthetic right now, b/c with that noise I am afraid the engine is not good.. any suggestions??
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Seneca, SC
first, make sure it's the engine. Does it rattle more/ less with changes in engine speed. If yes then get under the hood with the engine running and the throttle body cable in hand. Listen around the engine bay for the site of the noise, and if it's around the accessories, then it's probably just one of them, and you're fine. Also make sure that none of the spark plug cables are coming undone. A short in one of them can cause a ticking. Also look for foreign items, if something "bounced up into your undercarriage" then it's an easy fix.
If it's definately coming from under the valve covers, then shut her down and get her towed to a shop. It could very well be the engine. I doubt that a 98 has only a few miles on it.
ps, while you are poking around make sure you mind the fan, they can "suck you in" so to speak.
If it's definately coming from under the valve covers, then shut her down and get her towed to a shop. It could very well be the engine. I doubt that a 98 has only a few miles on it.
ps, while you are poking around make sure you mind the fan, they can "suck you in" so to speak.
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Senior User
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From: Nashville
Well I did pop the hood last night in the nice 23 degree weather, and look around for any lose wires or anything .. the noise sounds like its comming from aroud the engine compartment.. where it says 4.0 EFI. i have owned this explorer since 2003 at 85k and now has 97k so i have been mega nice to it.. i need it bad .. can't afford to have it brake on me..
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Seneca, SC
ok well you got me. The only stuff that I know of directly on the top of the engine is fuel management. might be an injector ticking, or something worse. Try this:
Tighten all the fasteners on the 4.0l plastic badge thing(I assume you have one) and see if it's just one of those bolts that rattled loose. If that dosen't work:
Take the biggest/longest screwdriver you have and put the handle to your ear and the tip to the water pump. If you hear the tick more loudly or more defined(it's a little hard to explain) then you have a bad water pump. If nothing, then try to find a point on the actual valve cover. You're looking for metal here, and repeat the test. If you hear the ticking more at this point, you're probably in trouble enough for the mechanic. It being so friggin' cold I know that you may not want to do this one,(exposed ears against cold metal isn't the most comfortable) so if it's not the plastic badging bolts you may want to take it in.
Tighten all the fasteners on the 4.0l plastic badge thing(I assume you have one) and see if it's just one of those bolts that rattled loose. If that dosen't work:
Take the biggest/longest screwdriver you have and put the handle to your ear and the tip to the water pump. If you hear the tick more loudly or more defined(it's a little hard to explain) then you have a bad water pump. If nothing, then try to find a point on the actual valve cover. You're looking for metal here, and repeat the test. If you hear the ticking more at this point, you're probably in trouble enough for the mechanic. It being so friggin' cold I know that you may not want to do this one,(exposed ears against cold metal isn't the most comfortable) so if it's not the plastic badging bolts you may want to take it in.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Nashville
thanks
i will give this a try.. you said something about the fuel system..i just ran a bottle of concentrated fuel injection cleaner and switched to a lighter oil.. so that maybe a factor?? thanks again for ur help!
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: CANADA
if you change your oil regularly I think synthetic is a waste of money. I know people who use the cheepest oil they can, and because they change it every 3,000 k's they have absolutely no problems with the engine. And when your talking over 300,000 kms on a 2.9 L V-6 ford bronco II, I think its amazing to be alive. I am wondering if the noise you hear is kind of a rattle, maybe the pushrods are wearing out so they rattle a little at idol. can you tell if the noise is just in one area, say one cylinder or another. the rattle can be quite common and last a very long time before a rebuild is in order just my 2 cents
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
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From: Phoenix
I've never messed with synthetic oils 4 or 2 stroke motors. So no comment either way on those. My 93 X 4.0 I changed the oil/filter at 100 miles, 500 miles and then 5K, 10K, 15K...every 5K all they way up to 170K. Now its got 173K on it. The last few years I switched to 20W-50 weight. This is due to the high miles and hot temps in Phoenix. No ticking in my motor.
As far as the original poster's concerns, it hard to tell what you are talking about with the info provided. Somone else asked for where it was coming from, variations wit engine RPM change...we need more details here to help diagnos it. If it varies with RPM then it's something that rotates like the crank or cam or goes up and down like a piston, rod or maybe lifter or pushrod (OK no pushrod if it's a SOHC). If it is a steady noise, could be something like the IAC or EGR valves...something not dirctly tied to engine RPM. Does this make sense?
As far as the original poster's concerns, it hard to tell what you are talking about with the info provided. Somone else asked for where it was coming from, variations wit engine RPM change...we need more details here to help diagnos it. If it varies with RPM then it's something that rotates like the crank or cam or goes up and down like a piston, rod or maybe lifter or pushrod (OK no pushrod if it's a SOHC). If it is a steady noise, could be something like the IAC or EGR valves...something not dirctly tied to engine RPM. Does this make sense?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Nashville
engine noise
ok.. i crawled under my car a day or 2 ago.. the noise is no constant and happens only when i idol.. the noise sounds like valvue noise in a mercedes.. b/c thats all i have owned until now.. diesel mercedes.... the engine purs like a normal ford.. then i hear that light "clank" .. then i stops .. then i hear it again.. i know thats a HORRIBLE describtion.. but lots if you guys are smarter than anything.. so i thought i would give it a try.. but to find the exact location i am not sure..
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
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From: SoCal
Glad to hear it's not the SOHC.
I know the 97's had a Cam sensor, if your 98 has one that might be your noise. Might want to poke around with a stethoscope/piece of garden hose at the back of the engine where the distributor used to be.
I know the 97's had a Cam sensor, if your 98 has one that might be your noise. Might want to poke around with a stethoscope/piece of garden hose at the back of the engine where the distributor used to be.
