2004 3.0 engine wiring problem....HELP!

[kcrickyt]

Ok, I did the standard marking all connections with tape and normally that works fine, but this time one single piece of tape came off and it just so happens that it's the one connection I can't find a mate for.

The fuel rail harness running down the left/passenger side has a connection at the coil pack, 3 connections for the injectors and at the front splits to 3 connections, 1 grey, 2 black. the grey goes to the intake manifold, 1 black goes to the air box and the other....? I have no idea

It looks like it would go somewhere around the throttle body, but it does not. Been looking for almost 2 hours and am about ready to roll this thing into ditch and bury it. HELP!!!

 

[RonD]

Could it go down the front of the engine to the CKP(crank position) sensor?

How many wires on the connector?
CKP will have 2
ECT sensor has 2 as well, this could be located on a pipe on the front of the engine.


Does truck have A/C, maybe its not marked because it wasn't hooked up?

 

[kcrickyt]

Could it go down the front of the engine to the CKP(crank position) sensor?

How many wires on the connector?
CKP will have 2
ECT sensor has 2 as well, this could be located on a pipe on the front of the engine.


Does truck have A/C, maybe its not marked because it wasn't hooked up?

You were correct with the CKP sensor, and unfortunately the truck still has the same ticking it did before I replaced the lifters.

 

[RonD]

Could be a loud fuel injector, use a small hose as a stethoscope.

Also check valve train, check each cylinder when valves are both closed, wiggle the push rod , it should have no end play, but you should be able to spin it with your fingers.

 

[kcrickyt]

Could be a loud fuel injector, use a small hose as a stethoscope.

Also check valve train, check each cylinder when valves are both closed, wiggle the push rod , it should have no end play, but you should be able to spin it with your fingers.

Speaking of push rods, I looked everywhere for info on the correct procedure on installing the lifters. I found plenty, but it was all different. Every time I found something that looked like it should work, I'd find something else saying do it another way. In the end I ended up going with what the stupid Chiltons manual said. That being, turn the crankshaft until the lifter is at it's lowest point and torque the rocker arm bolt to spec, Literally, that was it, nothing more, nothing less. That being said, there was no play in the push rods and I was able to spin them, and they had no end play. Someone also mentioned that it could be the oil pump.

 

[adsm08]

It could also be an exhaust leak.

 

[kcrickyt]

It could also be an exhaust leak.

It's more of a mechanical sound, someone else mentioned that it could be the oil pump. My wife called me one day last week and said the truck was making a ticking noise, told her to check the oil...she didn't. I checked it when I got home and it was bone dry. Odd thing is, it never looked or smelled like it was burning oil, and there's never been an oil spot in the garage or driveway. I was lucky it didn't seize up. Did an engine flush, put new oil and filter and the noise was cut in half. Figured one of the lifters might have collapsed and since I had it torn down that far I just went ahead and replaced all of them. The rockers and push rods looked fine. All back together and the noise i still there. Any ideas?

 

[black_demon69]

It's more of a mechanical sound, someone else mentioned that it could be the oil pump. My wife called me one day last week and said the truck was making a ticking noise, told her to check the oil...she didn't. I checked it when I got home and it was bone dry. Odd thing is, it never looked or smelled like it was burning oil, and there's never been an oil spot in the garage or driveway. I was lucky it didn't seize up. Did an engine flush, put new oil and filter and the noise was cut in half. Figured one of the lifters might have collapsed and since I had it torn down that far I just went ahead and replaced all of them. The rockers and push rods looked fine. All back together and the noise i still there. Any ideas?

have you considered rod or main bearings?
or a flat lobe on cam?

 

[kcrickyt]

have you considered rod or main bearings?
or a flat lobe on cam?

I was hoping I wouldn't have to go that far into the motor, don't really know where to go from here since I've gotten several different suggestions. Guess i'll take it to a shop and see what they say, then fix it myself.

 

[RonD]

The "tick" description really only fits top end noise, exhaust can sound like that as well.

See if you can isolate the side/bank the tick is coming from then pull that valve cover.
Look at each rocker to see if it has been getting oil from the push rod, if one looks dry it could just be a plugged up push rod, pull off the rocker, pull out the push rod and check it.
Look down at the top of the lifter as well to make sure nothing fell on top of it during reassembly and is blocking oil flow up the push rod.

 

[cp2295]

Get a stethoscope and poke around taking attention to the valve covers and exhaust manifolds (valve train noise travels through the exhaust In my experience). The way you can find a rod knock is a couple ways. One you can while the engine is running unplug each spark plug one by one at the coil pack. If the noise goes away while pulling any of the wires you most likely have a rod knock. Then to confirm you can get that cylinder at tdc and push down on the piston head through the plug hole with something like a drumstick. Push hard and if there's any wiggle your rod bearing is failing.

If it's "Ticky" it's most likely valve train, rod knocks are deeper.