50,000 miles - clattery engine

[peglomaniac]

Hi,
My Ranger is a '98 XLT automatic 4.0 liter. I bought it in Sept 06 with 25,000 miles on it, and at that time switched from conventional to synthetic oil. I have since put 25,000 miles on it, and just took it in for an oil change (all the others I have done myself - the guy before me had the dealership do them) and forgot to ask for synthetic. The engine now has a clattery sound at idle only... not under load, and it never had the sound before.

The truck was babied both before and since I got it, with regular service according to the service schedule.

The guy at the Ford dealership said the Winstars have a similar sound (called it a 'marble dancing' sound) that on the Winstars indicates a separating manifold (plastic parts). He said they could bring it in to do some troubleshooting, but says it should have nothing to do with the oil change. The oil level is good, and I also ran a dose of injector cleaner through a tank since the oil change, which made no difference to the rattle.

Has anyone experienced a clatter, which the service guy said sounded like at the top of the engine on their Ranger?

many thanks
peg

 

[Earl43P]

Use the Search feature for "timing chain rattle" and read up on that. I don't think it is your problem, since you specified the noise comes from the top of the engine. That noise seems to occur at higher rpms too, not just idle.

I'd suggest another oil change back to synthetic, with a good filter (Wix, Purolator, or Motorcraft, NOT FRAM or any bargain brands.

It sounds like your valves' hydraulic lifters don't like whatever oil they put in. It may also be related to the WEIGHT of oil they used. I wouldn't use anything over 5W20, but do check to see what your owners manual specifies, and use that weight synthetic.

I don't think you'll experience any problems, catastrophic or otherwise, if you decide to wait for the next oil change.