2000 ranger clicking/clacking sound

[mynameismud]

ok guys my truck is driving me nuts! need some help with this one. 2000 ranger 2wd 2.5l auto. in park I can rev it all I want and it sounds fine. when driving it sounds fine. accept doing about 45-50 I hear a sound that sounds like the valves on a car that's barely idling. I hope that's a decent description of the sound. I'm stumped I've checked everything. the only thing that I can say is wrong is maybe the harmonic balancer is bad, maybe. it's got a slight belt squeal and the balancer looks like it's wobbling slightly.

 

[RonD]

Check the drive shaft, some one could be "pranking" you, zip tie on the drive shaft that clicks against something.

Another thing to do is to change RPM when clicking can be heard, i.e. shift to Neutral or 3rd gear and see if click stays at the same rhythm, if so clicking is coming from drive train not engine.

 

[mynameismud]

ok if I'm going 50 and switch the od off to increase rpms the noise does get louder. there doesn't seem to be any pattern in the noise which is what's making it so hard to pin. it's random metal clacking when I'm on the gas at 50 . I can't tell if it stops or just gets quite when I slow down and let off the gas.

 

[mynameismud]

also there's no loss of power or jerking when the noise happens. no cel. I'm just trying to get ahead of this thing before my truck breaks down.

 

[straycat]

Could be several things or nothing to worry about. Take it to a shop and have somebnody look at it. We can't help you since we can't be there with you to hear it or see what is wrong. Driveshaft issues, sparking/arking from a worn plugwire? Just for example.

 

[RonD]

If noise changes with engine RPM and not speed then I would stick with an engine issue.

Could starter motor be loose or shimmed incorrectly?
flywheel speed is RPM based not speed based.

Do you have an oil pressure gauge?

Fan clutch can make noise when going bad and would be RPM based.

Exhaust leak can sound like metal on metal and would be RPM based, do you have an EGR valve?

 

[mynameismud]

I'll check the starter tonight. oil pressure is good. The thing is that it's not really rpm based because if I rev it in park or brake stand it there's no noise. only at high speed