New Project 2.9L-Need a little help.

[Goathic]

I just bought a different Ranger a few months ago for $500.00 It does look like it is in great shape. The guy I bought it from was second owner and he bought it a few months before me. When he bought the truck it had a small tick noise and he thought it was valve ticking. He took it home and change oil. He described it as Gel was coming out of the oil pan. He ran ATF in it a few times and change oil on the motor a few times. He said it came out chunky first two times. He told me he tried adjusting rocker arms and on the 2.9L he said are non-adjustable. Engine had a power issue, Hard time getting up to speed and bogged way down going up steep hills. So I started checking things out and had my brother barrow it, (he drive around town a lot.) Just start checking out and seeing if any problems problems started to stick out with the truck. We did run a lot basic test like compression test so on. First thing that happen was wire harness to fuel pump caught on fire. We checked that out. Fuel pump had excessive draw and over heated wires. We back tracked to fuse. Some one put 60amp fuse when suppose to be 30amp. Fix wire harness and replace fuel pump and put right fuse in. Thought that would fix power issue. That did not fix power issue. I thought I should just start pulling intake out and start looking around inside. Found injectors where completely clogged. I had ones off a spare motor and replace them and whole fuel rail. Truck started up and ran really good and had full power. Then I started driving the truck on highway over 2,000RPM Ticking noise came back. I can't really pin point it. I read about 2.9L on the website information section and with it talking about clogged rocker arm. I don't take long trips with ranger, very short distance and noise comes and when I get off high way and slow down into town noise is way louder. If I just drive in town I never hear noise and truck seems totally fine. Most time if I'm driving highway and I'm in 5th gear going under 2,000rpm (50mph) Tick noise usually doesn't happen. I was just wondering if any one had experience with similar issue and can give me some insight. Or link me to something that would help. I would like to fix it cheap as possible. My brother told me I should look for another ranger with no motor issue's and just swap it. I don't really want to buy parts truck. I still have the other motor with broken rod. I thought about replacing rocker arms and push rods with that one but idk if they would work or if those aren't damage either. Since rod broke from taking water down intake. Just let me know what you guys think and experience. Cheers

 

[RonD]

Have a read here:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/2_9_Page.html

this part:

Additionally, oiling problems were common, and added to the poor reputation of the North American 2.9. Many poorly maintained or high mileage engines exhibit serious valve train noise. This problem is due to a number of design faults.
Valve train oil pressure was entirely dependent upon a supply fed through the two center cam bearings. Even slight bearing wear could cause complete loss of oil pressure to the hydraulic valve lifters, rocker shaft, and rockers. Excessive internal "bleeding" through the half-moon camshaft thrust plate also contributed to this, though this can be remedied by reinstalling the thrust plate in an upside-down position.
This condition is sometimes mistaken for ticking fuel injectors.
This condition isn't a cause for alarm unless it does it very loudly or after long freeway trips.
If it does, have the oil pressure checked, it could be low.

I think anyone who has done any engine work has chased a "tick" or "knock", lol
So there is never a "this is it" answer, you just eliminate possibilities.

 

[Goathic]

Have a read here:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/2_9_Page.html

this part:


I think anyone who has done any engine work has chased a "tick" or "knock", lol
So there is never a "this is it" answer, you just eliminate possibilities.

So basically since I have good oil pressure I shouldn't worry about it?

 

[adsm08]

The 2.9 has a design flaw in the lifters. Most hydraulic lifters have a return hole to allow air and dirt and stuff to get out. The 2.9 does not. This makes lifter tick on the 2.9 a problem that will always show up eventually, and it does eventually kill the top end, but it takes years, even decades. My first 2.9 ran for 100,000 miles with lifter tick before I pulled it out to put in a fresher unit, but it still ran.

My advice, switch to some 10W-30 diesel oil and forget about it.

 

[RonD]

I would drive me crazy, but never had a 2.9l so not sure of the long term effect......

 

[Goathic]

Yes

It is driving me little crazy not knowing if engine going to give out on me. I would like to know if I did go on a long trip, everything would be ok. I guess I would have good reason to buy or build a new motor. 4.0L Swap? lol

 

[adsm08]

Since it runs strong I would say you are good to go on a long trip with it if you so desire.

Unless it starts to clatter when you start it up I wouldn't worry about it one bit. The 2.9 is a noisy little bugger, but if you keep the oil changed they can run forever.