3.0 constant clunking

[Tenzet]

Hey guys - recently purchased a V6 3.0 and trying to figure out what this clunking noise is. It happens at idle and under load. On acceleration the clunking speed increases as well.

I've tightened the headers down, but haven't seen a difference. It doesn't sound like it's a loose exhaust pipe because it sounds too far up (under engine-ish) to me.

Here is a video:

Any help is appreciated!

Edit* Truck has 205k miles. Throwing code P1405 and P0171/174 but I don't think they're relevant.

 

[91stranger]

Kind of sounds like a loose heat shield.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Um....

That sounds serious.

Like busted piston skirt or other assorted metal banging around inside.

Of course thats on a shitty phone speaker.

Pull the dipstick and look for metallic in the oil...

 

[Tenzet]

@91stranger - I'll check the heat shield

@rusty ol ranger - I hope it's not, any way to know without pulling engine apart? If it is, would an engine swap be a better option? Edit* Recently changed oil looking for anything odd because of recent purchase but didn't see anything abnormal. Truck has 200k miles by the way.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

@91stranger - I'll check the heat shield

@rusty ol ranger - I hope it's not, any way to know without pulling engine apart? If it is, would an engine swap be a better option? Edit* Recently changed oil looking for anything odd because of recent purchase but didn't see anything abnormal. Truck has 200k miles by the way.

Just keep checking the oil for metallic chunks, cut open the old oil filter if you want, look in there for metal to.

But, if im right and its internal, as noisy as it is it aint gonna live long.

If you go the swap route another 3.0 is really the only option.

I might would take it to a garage, it could be something simple like a heat shield, but i kinda doubt it. It would of rattled it self off by now more then likely.

 

[Tenzet]

@rusty ol ranger @91stranger

Oil - when I purchased the oil was pretty bad, but didn't see any metallic. I've replaced the oil filter already and cut it open just out of curiosity and only found dirt and a couple pieces of sand (sand was hidden all over this vehicle, definitely wasn't dirty metal).

I don't actually see a heat shield where it's supposed to be, just some heat reflective padding stuff.

If I swapped - yeah I would just get another 3.0. The truck only cost me 1k, bought it to use as a beater/haul some bikes if they go down but still need it to run. A used engine isn't too expensive if this one does crap and I'd do all the work myself.

This wouldn't be what is called 'detonation' if there was an exhaust/vacuum leak correct? Today I replaced a really bad double crack in the EVAP fuel discharge valve hose to intake (vacuum leak) so I think those lean conditions may go away.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

@rusty ol ranger @91stranger

Oil - when I purchased the oil was pretty bad, but didn't see any metallic. I've replaced the oil filter already and cut it open just out of curiosity and only found dirt and a couple pieces of sand (sand was hidden all over this vehicle, definitely wasn't dirty metal).

I don't actually see a heat shield where it's supposed to be, just some heat reflective padding stuff.

If I swapped - yeah I would just get another 3.0. The truck only cost me 1k, bought it to use as a beater/haul some bikes if they go down but still need it to run. A used engine isn't too expensive if this one does crap and I'd do all the work myself.

This wouldn't be what is called 'detonation' if there was an exhaust/vacuum leak correct? Today I replaced a really bad double crack in the EVAP fuel discharge valve hose to intake (vacuum leak) so I think those lean conditions may go away.

Its definatly not detonation.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Belt tensioner rattle? Torque converter bolt loose? Starter gear ticking on the flex plate?

Sure didn't sound like a clunking to me...more like a rattle.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I'd definitely be sending an oil sample out to Blackstone.

 

[91stranger]

You could always go pick yourself up a mechanics stethoscope and listen with that to try to pinpoint where the sound is coming from. Harbor freight sells them for around 5 bucks I think. Local auto stores will be around 10 bucks I'd imagine. Beats trying to use a camera phone. Any codes or check engine light by chance?

 

[pjtoledo]

with that many miles on a 3.0 it's time to pull the cam syncro assembly for inspection. at the very least remove the top and put some oil in there.

 

[ericbphoto]

Sounds like a wood chipper full of rocks. I think it's dead.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Question...

Does the noise go away when you put it in drive and hold the brake?

 

[91stranger]

Any more on this?

 

[Tenzet]

Belt tensioner rattle? Torque converter bolt loose? Starter gear ticking on the flex plate?
Sure didn't sound like a clunking to me...more like a rattle.

Checked belt tensioner - doesn't seem loose, though this seems to be a very different noise than what I've heard from tensioner/pulleys/belt before.
Will have to check on the other two items.

I'd definitely be sending an oil sample out to Blackstone.

Interesting - I've never heard of this before. Will look into it if I cannot find what the issue might be very soon.

You could always go pick yourself up a mechanics stethoscope and listen with that to try to pinpoint where the sound is coming from. Harbor freight sells them for around 5 bucks I think. Local auto stores will be around 10 bucks I'd imagine. Beats trying to use a camera phone. Any codes or check engine light by chance?

I think I'll do this at that price. As ford codes - they're posted in the original post at the bottom.
The lean codes have since gone away - replaced a hidden vacuum leak in EVAP purge valve.
EVAP and CAT are still incomplete on OBDII.

with that many miles on a 3.0 it's time to pull the cam syncro assembly for inspection. at the very least remove the top and put some oil in there.

Never done this, have a DIY guide or specific things I should be looking for here?

Question...
Does the noise go away when you put it in drive and hold the brake?

Tested this in all gears, the noise does not go away.

Any more on this?

Update