2000 3.0 v6 ranger ticking

[jdavid08]

hello everybody i am new to the ranger station, seems like a great site. i have been having this problem for a few weeks now and im confused. my issue is that my truck has this loud ticking coming from the motor, it will do it right when i start it up. but it does not do it at every start up, it will last a min or so and then just stop. the ticking does rev up with the motor. but as of now how its acting when it does it has me completely stumped, yesterday i went to my buddys house no problem when i left it sat for four hours and i started it then it did the ticking, so if anyone has had this problem or and ideas please let me know

 

[TimR]

mileage? is the oil level full?

 

[jdavid08]

mileage? is the oil level full?

shes at 167000 with a month old oil change, all my fluid levels are good

 

[Thed]

How are your fuel injectors?

 

[jdavid08]

How are your fuel injectors?

i have no idea, i really havent had to do any motor work on this truck yet just some sensors

edit- i can say that it runs great, i have no surging or anything, if i get on it the power is there

 

[Thed]

Its sorta kinda a common problem Ford F-150's to have fuel injector "tapping." But it's not limited to just the F-150s, my Escort has the same little ticking noise. For me, if it's not throwing a code, it's not broken.

 

[jdavid08]

Its sorta kinda a common problem Ford F-150's to have fuel injector "tapping." But it's not limited to just the F-150s, my Escort has the same little ticking noise. For me, if it's not throwing a code, it's not broken.

well its not a little ticking noise that i have. its loud

 

[TimR]

try checking the oil pressure, with an analog gauge, might be cam bearings worn...

 

[stmitch]

Injectors would click all the time, and are usually pretty quiet. It sounds to me like the valvetrain isn't lubricated properly, and on startup, you're getting a knock. I'd make sure the oil level is full, and the oil is the correct weight. If it's to thin, it will run out of the heads when it sits, and will cause a knocking sound until it's recirculated on startup. Same thing happens if there's not enough oil.

 

[alamogeorge]

Just a thought...

You have been having this issue for a few weeks and the oil change is a month old? Is a few weeks more than a month or less than a month?

Sounds dumb but a lot of those fluid cans look the same. Transmission Fluid, Oil, Power Steering fluid, Chain and sprocket oil. ...Even the big 5 quart oil change jugs look like anti-freeze.

What are the chances that the wrong fluid was put in?

 

[JP02XLT]

Here is another thought, did the ticking start after the oil change? If so what brand of filter was used, I wont use anything but Motorcraft or Napa on my truck, there are reports of tapping & oil pressure issues on several forums when using other brands of oil filters.

As Stmitch mentioned, the rocker arms in these motors are of a very poor ball/socket design that will show wear quickly, especially if they are slighted on lubrication.

JP02XLT

 

[jdavid08]

Here is another thought, did the ticking start after the oil change? If so what brand of filter was used, I wont use anything but Motorcraft or Napa on my truck, there are reports of tapping & oil pressure issues on several forums when using other brands of oil filters.

As Stmitch mentioned, the rocker arms in these motors are of a very poor ball/socket design that will show wear quickly, especially if they are slighted on lubrication.

JP02XLT

thats a good thought i did get a different oil filter than i usually do, its a bosch they had one of those deals going on at auto zone

 

[JP02XLT]

I would change the filter back to a Motorcraft, that is an easy attempt at correcting the problem

JP02XLT

 

[JFortner5]

My Jeep does the same thing. On mine, its one of the lifters. They are hydraulic and are supposed to be filled with oil. Over time the seals wear out and when you shut the engine off the oil leaks down out of them. When you start it, the oil is not in there to take the slack out of the valvetrain and you get ticking. After a minute or two the oil pumps the lifter back up, and the noise goes away. Mine does the exact same thing. If I start it cold it does it. If I'm driving and stop at a store and go start it back its fine because the oil hasn't had a chance to leak back out.

 

[pcollins]

What everyones forgetting to say is that Rangers are pretty notorious for the Lifter Tick, and its really no big deal. You could pull the valve covers and check adjustment of the rockers but really, just drive it. I See alot of people drive with lifter tick and it does no harm.