Engine noise please help

[jk]

New here! I have 97 4.0l. It sounds like a diesel. At idle it ticks very loud but gets quiter when accelerating and becomes more rapid. This is what I have done so far.

Cleaned mass air and checked with elc. Tester work as should.
New plug wires.
Checked and gapped plugs.
Only code is 1433 my purge valve needs replaced.
Visualy checked vacuum lines appears ok.
Replaced dpfe if vacuum applied to Egr engine stalls.
New pcv.
Oil flush with ATF and changed.
De carb with to cans of b12 as described on another thread.

The truck responds and runs good. Oil looks good on Dipstick now.
Trying to fix on a budget any help is appreciated. This is my first ranger love it so far.

 

[Big Jim M]

Check the oil pressure.. If it's good then replace the clicking parts that are prolly in the top end.. Might get away with a new set of slightly longer push rods..
Big JIm

 

[06RangerXLT]

sounds like a timing tick. the 4.0 is notorious for timing troubles.

 

[jk]

Thank you for the responses. The oil pressure is good. I ran the atf flush thinking it migh deliver more oil to upper end. The previous owner mentioned the timing chain but at the time the truck would not idle. The truck runs very good I have been surprised at the power and response this truck has. I tried the screw driver to ear and was unable to determine anything new. I'm a shade tree mech.
How do you determine if you have a bad timing belt?

 

[06RangerXLT]

Thank you for the responses. The oil pressure is good. I ran the atf flush thinking it migh deliver more oil to upper end. The previous owner mentioned the timing chain but at the time the truck would not idle. The truck runs very good I have been surprised at the power and response this truck has. I tried the screw driver to ear and was unable to determine anything new. I'm a shade tree mech.
How do you determine if you have a bad timing belt?

well the ticking is the timing chain knocking against whatever it can come in contact with. you could either take i to an expert ford mech and see if he can tell without poping her open, or you can open her up. the only way to tell yourself is to replace the tensioner and see if it goes away.

 

[jk]

Well I think you are right about the timing chain. Will it hurt to drive it like that. Could you tell me what in particular makes you think timing. For me it's the noise at idle, it sounds like it is coming from every where. I just can not pin point it.

 

[Rangered06]

i have that same issue just havent pinpointed it if it does have anything to do with the timing chain let me know

 

[06RangerXLT]

speak of the ****ing devil. i just happened to leave my truck running and walked around it and hear this noise, i was like what the hell is that, so i pop the hood and all i hear is tick tick tick tick tick from the top of the engine. i drove it home without any probelms, but its going to ford tomorrow. im glad i bought my warranty, cus i didnt pay all this cash for a ticking ranger.

the best way i could explain the noise would be when you pedal a bicycle chain backwards and it ticks. just sounds like metal on metal and im not liking it. gona get it checked out before anything bad happens.

 

[sholzy]

speak of the ****ing devil. i just happened to leave my truck running and walked around it and hear this noise, i was like what the hell is that, so i pop the hood and all i hear is tick tick tick tick tick from the top of the engine. i drove it home without any probelms, but its going to ford tomorrow. im glad i bought my warranty, cus i didnt pay all this cash for a ticking ranger.

the best way i could explain the noise would be when you pedal a bicycle chain backwards and it ticks. just sounds like metal on metal and im not liking it. gona get it checked out before anything bad happens.

Mines been making that sound for 5 years now. Each year it gets a little louder. Someday I might get around to putting in some longer push rods.

 

[hondaxr650]

You guys do realize that the 4.0 in a '97 and an '06 are completely different right? Hard to compare noises between a pushrod engine and an overhead cam engine.

 

[jk]

To answer hondaxr650 yes. I am planning on checking the rockers and pushrods first. This will allow me to clean everything up as well. It will be a couple of weeks before i can get started. I am going to start by pulling the upper motor (not heads) apart cleaning and inspecting as i go. I also plan on taking apart the EGR system for a good cleaning and inspection. I am just trying to optimize fuel effiecency and reliabilty. Planning on starting college soon. One of americas unemployeed LOL.

 

[schroeder_ce]

Timing chain. Same on my '00. Tried to fix it under warranty back in the day. Gave Ford an article from popular mechanics about it. They gave me a letter back saying this is "marble noise" on the 4.0 that does not effect performance and that they would not do anything about it. I've had the ranger 11 years next month(only owner) and I haven't had any issues, just the terrible noise.