Help me identify this sound

[dashhho]

Hi all. My 2005 4.0L has around 270k KMs. It has started making this sound at idle. It does not happen all the time. Oil level is at where it should be.

Sound seems to go away when you give it throttle.

click me for sound

 

[rusty ol ranger]

A 4.0l guru will be along im sure but im thinking timing chain guidea

 

[MaicoDoug]

Tell us all about your timing chain issues~

 

[dashhho]

I was hoping it was not. It doesn't seem to make the sound when cold. Only when warm after I have been driving.

 

[dashhho]

Here is it cold start.

sound

updated the link as the one before wasnt working. they should now work

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Here is it cold start.

sound

updated the link as the one before wasnt working. they should now work

Hard to hear but stilll sounds timing chainish

 

[dashhho]

Does anyone have any thoughts on how to diagnose this sound. Is there an easy way to see if the timing guides are broken? Or if it is something else. Thanks all for the help.

 

[Ranger850]

Sounds like lifter Tap, to me. I dont think it goes away with throttle, just speeds up and becomes less obvious. Try some thicker oil or that "motor honey" and see if that helps. IF not, could be the timing chain like others have mentioned.

 

[dashhho]

I am running 5W30 full synthetic. I will be changing oil soon. Should I try 5W30 conventional? or what thicker oil would you recommend?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Have you replaced your timing chain tensioners?

I would also stick with synthetic or synthetic blend engine oil.

Is the noise coming from the rear of the passenger or front of the driver cylinder head?

 

[dashhho]

I replaced the tensioners with Cloyes ones probably 20k kms ago.

I will get back to you on where I think the sound it comming from.

 

[SenorNoob]

Mechanic's stethoscope, long screwdriver, electric fence post. Anything that you can probe around the engine and hold to your ear(s) to find where the sound is most noticeable. That's at least give you a clue as to where it's coming from.

PITTSBURGH AUTOMOTIVE Mechanics Stethoscope

 

[ekrampitzjr]

The noise in your first link is the same noise in online videos about the 4.0 timing guide failures. Sad to say, that's probably going to be your problem.

 

[PatrickB1]

I'm guessing that the tensioner is being oil starved from sludge build up. A test to measure it would be to put an oil sending unit in the plug hole and extend the wire from the existing unit and check it in forscan or use a mechanical unit. If it is then put a 1/4 1/8 1/4 tee on the oil sending unit and run a 1/8th ntp hose up to that and feed oil directly.

 

[dashhho]

I have the old tensioners still. I could try putting that one in and see what happens.

It sounds like it is comming from the front drivers side