02 Ranger with 3.0

[James1978]

My 02 Ranger with a 3.0 is making a pecking noise only when it warms up. Is this a major problem or should I just ignore it?
Help and Thanks

 

[94RoadkillRanger]

Could be oil not getting to the lifters as soon as it used to or a sticking valve. If you plan on keeping your truck, then I would not ignore it.

Do a compression test when it is cold and dry.

 

[James1978]

Thanks 94roadkillranger

 

[James1978]

I'll have to get it into a shop for that. Can only do minor work on engines...

 

[Spott]

A compression test is easy, you can do it in your driveway. All you have to do is take the spark plugs out, screw a pressure gauge into each cylinder in turn, and crank the starter over a few times.

The pressure gauge will cost the same, or less, than a shop would charge you to do the test.

 

[enjr44]

Don't ignore it. Some early 2K 3 liter engines had problems with soft exhaust valve seats. If you catch it early enough, the head can be fixed having new seats put in by a machine shop. IF not caught early, you will have to replace the head.

Do a search on how you do a compression test. There is a right way and a wrong way to do it.

 

[pjtoledo]

"pecking noise" is not very specific.
could be the belts as they track on the pullies, could be valve train.
if its the belts, touch the back side of the belt with an oily rag, carefully of course, and see if the noise changes.
if its internal noise, try 15-40 diesel oil to see if the noise changes.


Perry

 

[James1978]

Perry it only does the pecking noise after the engine warms up.

 

[James1978]

@enjr44 it has one new head and one head that been redone recently..