2.3L valve train clattering noise

[XLTsplash]

When I was reading all over the web trying to find the cause of this lifter chatter type noise or marbling many people called it. I found a lot of other people have had this same problem. They never posted how they ended up fixing it. Because I had done everything I could think of with the top end of the engine and still had the noise. I felt I need to look deeper into the engine. If fact it seemed to be getting louder. I was staring to hear it loud in the passenger wheel well and even under the truck. It was still only at idle I was thinking loose piston on a wrist pin. I pulled the engine out and apart and I found the #3 rod bearing had a deep grove in it and had cooper showing. I went ahead and installed new pistons, rings and bearings. The noise seems to be gone now. I just wanted to post the answer I found with my 97 2.3L because the noise was very misleading. So if any one else has this noise, I hope you have a easier time finding the cause.

 

[Mark_88]

Wow!

I drove mine for 3 years with a tick and thought I needed to change the engine block...which was an 87...but figured the noise was all in my head...

Glad you got it fixed...