Tap, Tap, Tap

[brown932]

New here, just bought a 1999 Ranger XLT, 4x4. 160,000 miles with 20,000 on replaced new engine.Now have a very loud tapping noise. I was sure was lifters, as was local garage. They replaced lifters, engine was clean and spotless, same noise. It is loudest at idle, rpm's only make it tap quicker. Still there at 2000-3000 rpm but very hard to hear, and at road speed not notice. Load on engine as when accelerating, makes no difference. Have pulled wires from each cylinder, noise the same. Engine runs great, and NO codes. I called Ford garage, was told possible exhaust leak. There are dark areas on manifold, but not like what a fresh leak would cause. Start up and hot engine noise the same. Oil has been replaced, very clean. Also took off belt, same noise. If I ref engine the noise decreases (still there only quicker) and seems almost goes away as engine rpm's decrease, only to get louder as it goes to idle.

Help??

 

[Rearanger]

Is the new engine still under warranty?

 

[drsvox]

might help to first pinpoint where the noise is coming from. running a cold engine for a few min without the fan may help to hear better. can also plug one ear and hold a cut piece of garden hose to the other ear and sweep the engine to maybe find where the noise is coming from.

 

[brown932]

Not under warranty. I used a stethescope and noise is on drivers side, can hear it in block, but also exhaust manifold.

No problem hearing the noise.

 

[drsvox]

so if not lifters, maybe a rocker or valve?

 

[brown932]

They were checked when lifters replaced.

 

[bucko]

An exhaust leak at the head or where the down pipe meets the exhaust manifold can sound like a lifter. Look for the tell tale black carbon or sooty spots.

 

[brown932]

At this point, seems most likely. There is some "black" on manifold. I assume since loudest at idle, it could be because at higher rpm's exhaust pressure is different?

 

[brown932]

Update... Replaced exhaust manifold gasket, manifold not cracked. Noise loudest on side of block @ #1 cylinder. Must be something with piston or rod. Haynes manual says engine must be removed to get oil pan off. (4x4) Is this the only way?

 

[Tractor Dan]

I know on 2 wheel drives i have been told you can loosen the motor mounts and raise the engine a few inches and the oil pan can be removed. I would think it would work the same for the four wheel drive.

 

[Jnevrotski]

New here, just bought a 1999 Ranger XLT, 4x4. 160,000 miles with 20,000 on replaced new engine.Now have a very loud tapping noise. I was sure was lifters, as was local garage. They replaced lifters, engine was clean and spotless, same noise. It is loudest at idle, rpm's only make it tap quicker. Still there at 2000-3000 rpm but very hard to hear, and at road speed not notice. Load on engine as when accelerating, makes no difference. Have pulled wires from each cylinder, noise the same. Engine runs great, and NO codes. I called Ford garage, was told possible exhaust leak. There are dark areas on manifold, but not like what a fresh leak would cause. Start up and hot engine noise the same. Oil has been replaced, very clean. Also took off belt, same noise. If I ref engine the noise decreases (still there only quicker) and seems almost goes away as engine rpm's decrease, only to get louder as it goes to idle.

Help??

I have that same tap sound as well I just had the exhaust redone on it. I snapped the dam port for my right side upstreem O2 sensor taking it out so from the manifold back is all new. I was told I had a slight leak in my emissions which I just found. It's the pipe just below the EGR valve that's covered with the cloth insulation. I'm about to replace it but think I'm just going to use the wrap on it temporarily till I get these few roofs knocked out and replace the manifold and the evap parts that connect with it on the left side when I drop the trans to rebuild it since I gotta remove the exhaust to do the trans makes sense to do the manifold (the guys that did the exhaust don't mess with them no more they said) but I'll let you know in about 2 weeks or less if that was it