fletcher969
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2011
- Messages
- 48
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Vehicle Year
- 1998
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 3.0L
- Transmission
- Automatic
Ok, I'll probably overkill on the info, but here goes, and thanks in advance for anyone who reads long enough through my diatribe and responds!
1998, 2WD, 209K miles
3 weeks ago: My radiator blew a 'vapor' leak right at the hot water input. I caught it just as the temperature gauge started rising, and it never hit the red before I coasted to a stop on the side of the road. I ultimately topped it off, released the main cap just enough to prevent full pressure build-up, and drove it home. And I'll mention it just in case it's relevant, but the radiator isn't yet fixed/replaced...just too busy with work. Instead I've kept the system topped off daily, and it's run fine from a temperature (gauge) standpoint. I plan to repair or replace it later this week actually.
2 weeks ago: My starter gave out, so I replaced that, and started home. About 6 miles of highway later I observed an almost indiscernible 'fog' behind me, scanned my gauges and noticed my oil pressure gauge was at zero! Temperature gauge was holding steady in the center, but I assumed a complete loss of oil; however, before I could let off the gas and coast to a stop, my engine starting to tick noticeably along with a loss of power. I coasted for about half a mile to a country store parking lot. Temperature gauge never changed. Long story short, positive cable on starter contacted the filter, and burned a hole through it. I rectified that situation, refilled with oil (GF purchased synthetic which I've NEVER before used in this vehicle), and started it up. It rattled/ticked for about 2 seconds, then settled down, ran as smoothly as before, oil pressure was dead center as before, and I didn't hear anything unusual for roughly a week.
1 week ago: I started hearing a light ticking/tapping noise when the engine was under a load. Definitely didn't sound like a rod knock, so again, too busy, decided to just monitor it since I've not observed any discernible performance decline or change in oil pressure. Figured it was likely a lifter issue, so I tossed half a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil in it I had on hand to see if that might free it up. Might be worth noting that my oil level had dropped about half a court with no external indications of a leak. Anyway, no real change in the situation until 2 days ago when the ticking noise became more like a soft knock...enough to concern me. In park or at idle, almost indiscernible, not much more to hear when revved up in park. Same sometimes when it's running in gear on level ground. Under load, noticeable, particularly when going uphill. I put a stethoscope on it, and the sound appears to come from the front cylinder on the driver's side (#4?), but I only ever get an indication when the steth is on the exhaust manifold. Nothing at all when it's on the valve cover or oil pan, and slightly less indication when the steth is on the exhaust manifold on the cylinder next to the aforementioned cylinder. Unplugging the wire from the front cylinder drastically reduces the noise at idle (can't say with certainty it fully eliminated it...at this point I'm hearing ticking/tapping in my sleep). I noticed the 'silver' exhaust manifold gasket material was falling apart on the driver's side (exhaust is the original). At that point I was thinking this is either a rod bearing failing or an exhaust manifold leak.
Yesterday: I decided to change the oil so I could look for evidence of bearing wear and/or failure. The oil was VERY cloudy (after approximately 500 miles...the Marvel Mystery Oil?). Like super fine dust, and with an LED light on it I could detect a few...very few brass-colored 'dust' particles, but the oil was void of any 'pieces of bearing material, not sure, maybe those would be in the pan. Decided to just refill it with non-synthetic 10W-30 oil (old filter in place). That actually did wonders. While the sound isn't completely eliminated, it is far quieter than it was before. More like a lifter tap than any degree of knock, and now it doesn't show up at all until after the engine warms up whereas before it was evident whether the engine was cold or warm. Still mostly noticeable when under a heavier load (after warming up), but a couple of times it didn't make any discernible noise while going uphill. I hate inconsistency! The oil pressure is steady. No change whatsoever.
Any ideas? I figure I'll probably end up dropping the pan and inspect my bearings (and replace them regardless given it was run without oil for a mile or two), but anything I might do to really zero in on a cause until I drop the pan later this week?
1998, 2WD, 209K miles
3 weeks ago: My radiator blew a 'vapor' leak right at the hot water input. I caught it just as the temperature gauge started rising, and it never hit the red before I coasted to a stop on the side of the road. I ultimately topped it off, released the main cap just enough to prevent full pressure build-up, and drove it home. And I'll mention it just in case it's relevant, but the radiator isn't yet fixed/replaced...just too busy with work. Instead I've kept the system topped off daily, and it's run fine from a temperature (gauge) standpoint. I plan to repair or replace it later this week actually.
2 weeks ago: My starter gave out, so I replaced that, and started home. About 6 miles of highway later I observed an almost indiscernible 'fog' behind me, scanned my gauges and noticed my oil pressure gauge was at zero! Temperature gauge was holding steady in the center, but I assumed a complete loss of oil; however, before I could let off the gas and coast to a stop, my engine starting to tick noticeably along with a loss of power. I coasted for about half a mile to a country store parking lot. Temperature gauge never changed. Long story short, positive cable on starter contacted the filter, and burned a hole through it. I rectified that situation, refilled with oil (GF purchased synthetic which I've NEVER before used in this vehicle), and started it up. It rattled/ticked for about 2 seconds, then settled down, ran as smoothly as before, oil pressure was dead center as before, and I didn't hear anything unusual for roughly a week.
1 week ago: I started hearing a light ticking/tapping noise when the engine was under a load. Definitely didn't sound like a rod knock, so again, too busy, decided to just monitor it since I've not observed any discernible performance decline or change in oil pressure. Figured it was likely a lifter issue, so I tossed half a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil in it I had on hand to see if that might free it up. Might be worth noting that my oil level had dropped about half a court with no external indications of a leak. Anyway, no real change in the situation until 2 days ago when the ticking noise became more like a soft knock...enough to concern me. In park or at idle, almost indiscernible, not much more to hear when revved up in park. Same sometimes when it's running in gear on level ground. Under load, noticeable, particularly when going uphill. I put a stethoscope on it, and the sound appears to come from the front cylinder on the driver's side (#4?), but I only ever get an indication when the steth is on the exhaust manifold. Nothing at all when it's on the valve cover or oil pan, and slightly less indication when the steth is on the exhaust manifold on the cylinder next to the aforementioned cylinder. Unplugging the wire from the front cylinder drastically reduces the noise at idle (can't say with certainty it fully eliminated it...at this point I'm hearing ticking/tapping in my sleep). I noticed the 'silver' exhaust manifold gasket material was falling apart on the driver's side (exhaust is the original). At that point I was thinking this is either a rod bearing failing or an exhaust manifold leak.
Yesterday: I decided to change the oil so I could look for evidence of bearing wear and/or failure. The oil was VERY cloudy (after approximately 500 miles...the Marvel Mystery Oil?). Like super fine dust, and with an LED light on it I could detect a few...very few brass-colored 'dust' particles, but the oil was void of any 'pieces of bearing material, not sure, maybe those would be in the pan. Decided to just refill it with non-synthetic 10W-30 oil (old filter in place). That actually did wonders. While the sound isn't completely eliminated, it is far quieter than it was before. More like a lifter tap than any degree of knock, and now it doesn't show up at all until after the engine warms up whereas before it was evident whether the engine was cold or warm. Still mostly noticeable when under a heavier load (after warming up), but a couple of times it didn't make any discernible noise while going uphill. I hate inconsistency! The oil pressure is steady. No change whatsoever.
Any ideas? I figure I'll probably end up dropping the pan and inspect my bearings (and replace them regardless given it was run without oil for a mile or two), but anything I might do to really zero in on a cause until I drop the pan later this week?