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2.9l Ticks when I press on the gas


haydnmiller

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My 92 ranger 2.9l has a ticking noise that has been bugging me. It is consistent with engine speed, but is only audible when the gas pedal is pressed. It does not matter how fast I am going, or if the engine is hot or cold. I would describe the sound as a really loud clicky pen. I can add about 25% throttle before it ticks, but 25%-full is the same ticking noise. I've been unsuccessful in trying to pinpoint where the noise is coming from. These symptoms match the lifter tick, but the whole throttle position thing makes me wander if it is something else.

Anyway, if you can think of what this might be I would really appreciate your input.
 


gw33gp

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I am guessing it is an exhaust manifold leak. I had a similar problem with my 89 2.9L engine and it was caused by the driver side exhaust manifold warping. I took it off and machined it flat on the head mating surface. It worked pretty well for several years and came back again. I machined it again.

I think I also left off some kind of heat shield the second time, that was on that side. I thought it might be holding in too much heat and letting the exhaust manifold get too hot. The problem never came back after that but I can't say for sure the heat shield was the problem.

Ford does not use an exhaust gasket and relies on both surfaces to be flat and smooth to seal. I did try using a exhaust gasket the first time I got the exhaust leak but it burned out fairly quick and I went back to Ford's non-gasket approach.
 
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sblake01

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I had that same ticking on my 1990 2.9 but it was where the exhaust manifold connected to the exhaust pipe. It started when we removed the pipe while taking the transmission out. I had it apart a few times and was able to make it quieter but never really got rid of the sound.

@gw33gp: I know what you mean but using the term 'head gasket' for that exhaust gasket could be somewhat confusing.
 

gw33gp

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haydn, that would be an interesting trick but would be sure to fail. At my age my head does work as well either. Thanks for pointing out my error. I will correct it.
 

sblake01

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At my age I don't know what 'haydn' means.....seriously, I'm not familiar with the word/term.
 

Rowdy Fitzgerald

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At my age I don't know what 'haydn' means.....seriously, I'm not familiar with the word/term.

Haydn is the OP's first name.


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sblake01

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Ahh, I guess all I had to do was go back and look. I read it as though he was directly addressing my post.
 

haydnmiller

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Thanks for the insight, I'll have to investigate tomorrow to see if there is an exhaust leak.
 

bulldoggravedigger

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I've got an 87' ranger that ticks/clicks but at idle as well as with rev I have replaced plugs wires cap and rotar it still clicks?
 

2trux

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Could be lifters, a common problem according to what I have read. Mine are extremely loud.
 

BrianbroncoIIman

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Could it be a bad injector starting up


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