Engine noise

[96ranger]

I had a new 3.0 liter engine installed in my '96 Ranger in July of '07, I've put on just over 40,000 miles, got an engine noise that sounds like it may be something in the lower end, like a main bearing, Rod bearing, wrist pin, I don't know. It's noticeable when you rev the engine, or accelerate entering the freeway. Sounds like a ticking or rattle, I thought it might have been a water pump noise. Two mechanic's have put the stethoscope to it, and think it's something in the lower internal part of the engine. I had a Ford dealer put the new engine in back in '07 thinking they would do the job right, and I would have some recourse if things went bad. The dealership that did the work has since been closed, but I think any dealer can check this out. Has anyone had any experience with a factory install just outside of warranty? It's crazy that this engine is failing so soon, will Ford work with me on this? I love this truck and treat it better than my Wife. Regular Oil changes the works. Am I in for a battle with Ford? Any tips?

 

[96ranger]

Ford issues any ideas?

I had a new 3.0 liter engine installed in my '96 Ranger in July of '07, I've put on just over 40,000 miles, got an engine noise that sounds like it may be something in the lower end, like a main bearing, Rod bearing, wrist pin, I don't know. It's noticeable when you rev the engine, or accelerate entering the freeway. Sounds like a ticking or rattle, I thought it might have been a water pump noise. Two mechanic's have put the stethoscope to it, and think it's something in the lower internal part of the engine. I had a Ford dealer put the new engine in back in '07 thinking they would do the job right, and I would have some recourse if things went bad. The dealership that did the work has since been closed, but I think any dealer can check this out. Has anyone had any experience with a factory install just outside of warranty? It's crazy that this engine is failing so soon, will Ford work with me on this? I love this truck and treat it better than my Wife. Regular Oil changes the works. Am I in for a battle with Ford? Any tips?

I posted this a little while back and have not had any responses on the forum. I have been e-mailing Ford back and forth, and have gotten a reply that states Ford will not help. I just got off the phone with them and they reiterated their stance. Does anyone here know how to fight an issue like this or am I just S.O.L.?

 

[Earl43P]

Do a search using the term "pinging".

That may be what you are hearing.

 

[96ranger]

Yeah, Im pretty sure it's not as simple as pinging, I've run this by two independant, and one Ford technician, and all threee have diagnosed the same thing. Wrist pin, or early rod knock. Problem is can't really tell without tearing into it.

 

[McCormack]

If the technicians that checked out your engine in the flesh can't give you a definitive diagnosis of the noise, then it's unlikely that anybody here on the forum would be able to do so without hearing your engine. Your best option would probably be to run it for awhile and monitor the noise to see if it gets any worse - if it doesn't then it's probably nothing serious, and if it does then it will be easier to diagnose by one of your technicians. Good luck.

 

[JP02XLT]

Wrist pin rattle will last for a long while, a rod knocking wont last too long before something really bad happens.

JP002XLT

 

[96ranger]

Just got it back from a third tech. They had heard this noise in a 3.0 before, and when they did a teardown of the problem engine found excessive piston clearance in one cylinder. They said drive it as is, could run a long time with excess clearance. We'll see.