3.0 L Ranger "tapping" noise

[RangerRon]

I have a 1999 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 3.0L FlexFuel engine.

The engine temp was very high. No issues with radiator, so I replaced the thermostat. Temp gauge was still going to H, so I replaced the engine coolant sensor. Now the temp stays in the middle of L and H on the gauge, but there is no heat.

Also, the engine has started making a real loud tapping noise and has reduced power. The power loss gets worse the longer the engine runs.

The noise is coming from the engine compartment, passenger side near the firewall. Does not seem to be a valve tap since the sound is not coming from the valve cover area.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[RangerRon]

Heater Core?

I was talking to someone and they said it may be the heater core. Anyone ever hear of the heater core making a loud tapping noise?

 

[JSerr5130]

Could it be the catalytic converter causing the backpressure on the engine?

 

[rurouni20xx]

tapping is either valve tappet, a collapsed lifter (the part that contacts the cam and keeps pressure on the pushrod to the rocker/camshaft its under the lower intake plenum), or a blown exhaust gasket.

 

[fourwheelford]

Wouldn't a blown exhaust gasket be more of a "pis pis pis pis pis pis" noise instead of a taping? My truck also taps, cant find it probably never will until the motor blows. I hear mine from under the truck.

 

[masterbrenden]

bad hydraulic lifter would cause a taping noise
try running a quart of atf in the crank case. i have seen were it will help to re pump up the lifter and will thus stop the tick. just a old trick that i have heard that is supposed to work

 

[dos0711]

.

 

[RangerRon]

It sounds kind of like a diesel engine. I took it out for short ride last night and it was riding real rough, stalling out and overheated big time.

 

[fourwheelford]

Could I put ATF in synthetic oil? I used to put about a half quart in my volvo when I changed the oil but that was standard oil. Ron are you getting any codes? You would think that a problem like that would trip a light or something. Im starting to lean torwards a blown head gasket if the temp was really high at one time it may have done it in. Open up the overflow tank while its running and see if it is bubbling. Also check your oil to see if its milky.

 

[BlackBII]

Sounds like you have some serious issues. I would pull the codes.
What does the oil look like? Have any coolant in it?
Sounds like a diesel huh? SO it's a knocking sound then...not a tapping?
How do the plugs look? Black? White?

 

[RangerRon]

Yeah, more like that. The Check Engine light is on, but has been for some time due to a failing flex fuel sensor. I never replaced the FF sensor b/c I never run it on E85.

Checked the overflow fluid tub - no bubbling. Also checked the oil and looks normal.

Tried starting it again and it started up very rough, but a puff of black smoke came out the exhaust.

I am going to try to get it into the shop this weekend to see what my mechanic says.

 

[dos0711]

Please keep us updated!

 

[Big Jim M]

Since thre were NO PROBLEMS until he replaced the thermostat and sender.. Wouldn't that give us all a hint? He didn't spend the 20 minutes needed with the heater on to get the radiator FULL! He doesn't have enough coolant in the system.. Read about no heat now.. the noise is coolant BOILING in the head.
Big JIm

 

[TomB1269]

Big Jim M has nailed it. Our 3.0's have an air pocket in the coolant system if not properly bled by running. Look at the retrun to radiator hose it runs up over the alternator and is higher than the cap. There is no way the system can suck that much fluid from the reserve tank and all our trucks are designed to run with a full coolant system, no air pockets.........

 

[RangerRon]

I'll check that out Big Jim. But I had no heat prior to replacing the thermostat and sensor.