My 2.9 engine is knocking!!! i need some suggestions on how to stop it

[ChaiseV]

I have recently took my 1990 Ranger to a mechanic to get the fuel gauge fixed and after he got done he told me that the reason my engine is knocking is the lifters. i told him that my dad had them adjusted before but the just stopped for while and went back to knocking. He told me that one way of fixing it is adjusting the lifters by using loctite on the adjusting bolts so they stay in place. i want to know if that is the best way to stop it from knocking or is there a better way to do it

 

[pcollins]

Knocking and ticking are two very different things. If you have a tick, it can be fixed/ignored. A knock is a little more serious.

 

[country0001]

2.9's tick. Its part of their charm. They have oiling problems. You can fix it and flush the engine. Or drop a 4.0 in.

 

[Mudflap]

The 2.9s were notoriously hard on lifters. I've replaced more than one set getting rid of the dreaded peck.

 

[adsm08]

The problem with 2.9 lifters is in their design. There is no return hole for the oil, just the in hole. That means that dirt and air can't get back out either.

Lifters and cam bearings help, but the fix is to get a 4.0 and chamfer the oil passages through the rods so they don't gall the lifters.

 

[Pt_Ranger_V8]

Best way to make it stop is to turn it off


Seriously. Is it a tick or a knock?

 

[ChaiseV]

Tick or knock

i hate to sound dumb but what is the difference between a tick and a knock?

 

[Jraymer360]

i hate to sound dumb but what is the difference between a tick and a knock?

ticking is within the valvetrain. kinda like a worn pushrod hitting the rocker arm because of increased clearance.


Knocking (also called knock, detonation, spark knock, pinging or pinking) in spark-ignition internal combustion engines occurs when combustion of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder starts off correctly in response to ignition by the spark plug, but one or more pockets of air/fuel mixture explode outside the envelope of the normal combustion front.

 

[ChaiseV]

Its ticking

It is defiantly ticking so is there good ways to make it stop besides just replacing the lifters?

 

[wrecking-crew]

I have found Lucas oil additive quiets them. Don't mess with it unless it gets worse.
But my way of quieting them currently is having the exhaust cut off behind the cab.

 

[4.0B2]

if a 2.9 doesn't tick...something is wrong IMO. its just one of those things...

a knock, think running a motor without oil...and you'll hear a knock!

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Try putting 1/2 a quart of ATF in the engine about 100 miles before you change the oil. Drain it good and put synthetic oil with a motorcraft filter. If your engine is full of oil drain 1/2 a quart before putting the tranny oil in. If your engine has leaks dont use synthetic it will leak faster just use a good 10W30 I prefer valvoline.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

The way to adjust the lifters is with the engine cold put each cylinder on TDC turn the adjuster out counterclockwise until you feel lash tak it back down to zero lash and count the turns clockwise 1 1/2 turns make them all the same. Pull all the spark plugs and stick your finger in the #1 plug hole and with a wrench turn the crank clockwise (never counterclockwise) until you feel compression. Look at the timing marks and put it on TDC. Adjust the #1 lifters then put a long thin screwdriver in the next cylinder in the firing order and turn the crank until that piston is at the top and adjust those valves. Follow the firing order and then install new valve cover gaskets. Any type of ATF is a good engine flush just add 1/2 a quart and run it for about 100 miles before you change the oil. Do that a couple times before you pull the valve covers it dissolves the sludge that gets built up over time.

 

[Ianjay]

Reviving an old thread here. Sorry.
I have two 1990 Rangers, both 2.9s, one auto, one 5spd. The 5-spd used to tick after driving on the highway. I tried all additives and flushed it many times. What has cured it is using the K&N oil filter that has the one inch nut on it. At first I thought it was a fluke, but now, after a second oil change and another filter, the 5 spd is quiet when you get off the highway. They both rattle a little when starting cold after sitting for a week. If there are any 2.9s left, this is worth a try. The manual has 381,000 kms, the auto has 149,000 kms.

 

[Brownie Mobile]

I'm pretty sure thicker oil will quiet your tick.