Valve tap
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Junior User
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From: Valley Forge, PA
Valve tap
My '02 Sport Trac has recently developed a valve tap with 54000 miles on it. Oil changes were regular, between 3k and 5k miles. It's not constant and not very loud but it drives me nuts. Sometimes it's not there at all so I assume it's not mechanical. Any suggestions for an additive to clean it up?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2005
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are you sure it's not a sticking lifter?
There are 2 products that I like - The lucas engine stuff, and the Seafoam stuff - the seafoam is really a great product for cleaning, and the lucas product is good for stablizing the oil...
but you only have 54K on it... when did the noise start? if it was recent, then I'd try these products, but if it has been there forever, I don't know if it would be a sticky lifter...
I'm sure others will have lots to say, but this is my 2 cents
There are 2 products that I like - The lucas engine stuff, and the Seafoam stuff - the seafoam is really a great product for cleaning, and the lucas product is good for stablizing the oil...
but you only have 54K on it... when did the noise start? if it was recent, then I'd try these products, but if it has been there forever, I don't know if it would be a sticky lifter...
I'm sure others will have lots to say, but this is my 2 cents
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Ok, never use Lucas, been there done that. I had a valve tap on my '90 B2600i, and it made it worse. It messes with the viscosity and dilutes the oil. What cleared it up for me was switching to Mobil1 synthetic. Likewise with Seafoam, I wouldn't add it to the oil. But by all means, run it through the intake. It works great there. The best product I have seen for cleaning the crankcase and valvetrain is a product called AutoRX. It is a slow acting engine cleaner, whereares Seafoam is harsh in comparison.
But as a general rule with many vehicles, you should use any good name brand oil, and use only top end oil filters (ie. no FRAM). Stick with Motorcraft, Mobil1, Purolator or Wix. FRAM is poorly constructed and is running in bypass mode almost all the time. In addition, they shed tiny fibers that can get caught in small oil passages, reducing oil flow.
Are you sure its not a slight ping? Try running some of that Seafoam through a vacuum line and see if that doesn't clear up the ticking noise. Is it continuous or only under acceleration/load?
But as a general rule with many vehicles, you should use any good name brand oil, and use only top end oil filters (ie. no FRAM). Stick with Motorcraft, Mobil1, Purolator or Wix. FRAM is poorly constructed and is running in bypass mode almost all the time. In addition, they shed tiny fibers that can get caught in small oil passages, reducing oil flow.
Are you sure its not a slight ping? Try running some of that Seafoam through a vacuum line and see if that doesn't clear up the ticking noise. Is it continuous or only under acceleration/load?
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Junior User
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From: Valley Forge, PA
Apologies for using incorrect terminology. It is lifter noise. I was wondering what Seafoam could possibly do for that. Now it makes sense. It's only been making noise within the last 1500 miles. As soon as I started hearing it I changed the oil, maybe about 1k miles before I usually do, hoping it would clean it up and unstick the lifter.
I've never heard of either one of those products. I always use Motorcraft filters and name brand oil. It's usually Pennsoil because it's the least expensive and I figure since I change my oil regularly I'd be okay. As I mentioned the noise is very slight. Do you guys really recommend synthetic oil? Can that be run for more miles than regular?
I've never heard of either one of those products. I always use Motorcraft filters and name brand oil. It's usually Pennsoil because it's the least expensive and I figure since I change my oil regularly I'd be okay. As I mentioned the noise is very slight. Do you guys really recommend synthetic oil? Can that be run for more miles than regular?
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
I would run some AutoRX through the oil and see if that doesn't clear it up. As far as using synthetic oils, you have to make that decision for yourself and base it upon your engines condition. If you have any blowby issues or go through more than 1 quart of oil every 5,000 miles, then synthetic is not for you. You can also look at the inside of the tailpipe. If it is fairly clean and grey or brown in color, then synthetic oil will probably work very well, as this is sign that you have no significant oil burning.
Even though you can use synthetic much longer, you should transition into them, or in other words, check it at 3,000 miles, and if it is starting to discolor, change it, if not change it at 5,000 or 7,500. After a couple of changes, if you are confident that the oil is holding up well, you can go beyond that. I run mine at a 10,000 mile interval.
Also, if its not Royal Purple, Amsoil, Redline or the original Mobil1, its probably not a true synthetic (ester based).
Even though you can use synthetic much longer, you should transition into them, or in other words, check it at 3,000 miles, and if it is starting to discolor, change it, if not change it at 5,000 or 7,500. After a couple of changes, if you are confident that the oil is holding up well, you can go beyond that. I run mine at a 10,000 mile interval.
Also, if its not Royal Purple, Amsoil, Redline or the original Mobil1, its probably not a true synthetic (ester based).
Laughing Gas
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I just remembered that my Dad has an 02 Navigator - uses the V8 that they used in all of them that year - if you have a V8, it could be a defective head causing that noise - there was a TSB on that year for that engine - my Dad had it done under the Power Train warranty, and it hasn't come back since
if you have a V6, disregard - and I don't know for sure which V8's had the same problem that year - maybe the sport track used a different V8?
if you have a V6, disregard - and I don't know for sure which V8's had the same problem that year - maybe the sport track used a different V8?
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From: Valley Forge, PA
No V8 until '07. Too bad. I'd love to have the 4.6L V8 but I love not having a payment more.
I'll give the AutoRX a try. Recommend starting with new oil?
I'll give the AutoRX a try. Recommend starting with new oil?
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Laughing Gas
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yeah, do a complete oil change, and run a good oil with a good filter - I like Wix filters myself, but there are a few good ones - I have never tried the AutoRX stuff, but I think Bear River knows what he is talking about. I might have to try that stuff myself in my old 3.0L 89 Aero.... but I only get the ticking sticking until it's warmed up, so I have just lived with it...
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Junior User
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From: Valley Forge, PA
Okay guys. I looked at the Auto RX site. Looks like a good start. I'm sure there's buildup of crap in the engine so I'll start with this. Bear River asked about general engine condition. At oil change time I'm maybe a half quart low, if that. Inside of the tail pipe is pretty clean. I would notice something here because I have a factory brushed stainless tip and I like to keep it shiny, including the inside.
Thanks for all of your suggestions. I'm ordering the AutoRX today. I'll let you know what happens.
Thanks for all of your suggestions. I'm ordering the AutoRX today. I'll let you know what happens.
Postmaster
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From: UT
I thought the 4.0 OHV (pushrod) engine had been discontinued by '02 in favor of the OHC design. Can an OHC exhibit lifter noise??
I know the OHC has issues with the timing chaing tensioners. If you have the OHC and you have a rattle, I would make sure it isn't the chain tensioners.
I know the OHC has issues with the timing chaing tensioners. If you have the OHC and you have a rattle, I would make sure it isn't the chain tensioners.
Laughing Gas
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That is a very good point, but I thought they corrected that by 1999 - so, it would be the earlier SOHC engines that had that issue - but it was a very well known fact that ford screwed the pooch on that one - I myself, wonder when it was dealt with, but I think as I recall, it was 99 and before. I didn't know that made the OHV 4L for that long actually - I thought it all but vanished after about 1998
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From: Valley Forge, PA
The thing that is driving me crazy is that the sound is minimal and intermittant. When I open the hood to try to localize the click, all the other sound drowns it out. I know it's on the right side nearest to the firewall but I hear it best when the hood is closed. Is it possible that something else is clicking, making me think it's a lifter?. I thought it might possibly be an exhaust manifold leak.
Laughing Gas
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If it's near the firewall, that would be the other side of the engine, RE if it was this timing chain clatter prb that MrShorty was talking about - since the SOHC chain and tensioner would be on the front of the block, if I remember...
Could be that too, but I think you'd notice that all the time and consistant - not intermittent
I would try the Auto RX stuff, or the seafoam through the vaccum line trick (which cleans the upper part of the engine) - if you do both of those, and you still have it, then I'd look at a header leak... haven't heard of that with an engine so low in miles, but I guess anything is possible.
I think I have that same issue with my 96 Sport - Drivers side header - sounds like a sewing machine when I accelerate - but I just live with it... I'm sure it's robbing me of some power though :-)
of course, the power steering whine is there, so that tends to be the loudest thing at lower speeds...
My solution for all of it, is just to turn the radio up louder - I figure if the engine don't have a miss, and the tranny is shifting ok I'm good...
Could be that too, but I think you'd notice that all the time and consistant - not intermittent
I would try the Auto RX stuff, or the seafoam through the vaccum line trick (which cleans the upper part of the engine) - if you do both of those, and you still have it, then I'd look at a header leak... haven't heard of that with an engine so low in miles, but I guess anything is possible.
I think I have that same issue with my 96 Sport - Drivers side header - sounds like a sewing machine when I accelerate - but I just live with it... I'm sure it's robbing me of some power though :-)
of course, the power steering whine is there, so that tends to be the loudest thing at lower speeds...
My solution for all of it, is just to turn the radio up louder - I figure if the engine don't have a miss, and the tranny is shifting ok I'm good...
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gingerbreadmaniac
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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May 13, 2003 07:14 AM
