idle noise????

[92DangerRanger92]

i have a 92 ford ranger 2.3l 4cyl with 200k miles
it idles completely smooth and steady, but it makes a weird pinging or rocking noise that is coming from the bottom of the engine.
is this a common noise for a high mileage 2.3? or is it an issue?

 

[swifttony]

It may come from your Engine Mount. Have it checked.

 

[Mark_88]

If the engine is not moving (rocking) during idle and you can hear a noise, one of the first things to check is the accessories being driven by the fan belt. To do this, start by simply removing the fan belt and run the engine for a few minutes without it. Listen for the noise with the fan belt off and if you don't hear it that means one or more of your accessories are the problem. Could even be the fan belt itself, but the process of elimination from that point is a bit easier...

Just don't run the engine too long...best to try this with a cold engine too as a warm engine is more likely to overheat...