Clicking noise

[Jharmon]

I have an 03 ranger with a 2.3L engine. Lately I've noticed that there's a clicking noise while at idle and it speeds up as I accelerate. I've done some research on it and a lot of people say it the "lifter tick". Is this a serious problem? I'm gonna try some seafoam but are there better ways to fix it permanently?

thanks, Jeremy

 

[pjtoledo]

your engine doesn't have lifters. it has cam followers that perform the function of a lifter. it' quite rare for them to wear out. take the oil filler cap off and stick a tube/hose in the hole. if it's cam followers you should hear it thru that tube. replacing a cam follower means removing the camshaft for access.
the intake manifold has a set of flapper valves in it. the shaft/bushings wear and make clicking noises. injectors make noise too, usually not much.

my 2005 2.3L turned over 347,000 miles today. still has all it's factory parts and doesn't make "too much" noise. (2005s don't have the intake flapper.)

cam followers don't have any moving parts or small holes to clog up. there's nothing for the Seafoam to work on.

 

[adsm08]

Duratech engines also have very loud injectors.