Noisy lifters 2009 Ranger

[Smitty316]

Hi, I have a 2009 Ranger, 4 cylinder with 12100 miles. Just this winter it has started making lifter noise when it's cold. It eventually goes away when it warms up. I'm wondering if these lifters are adjustable and if it's worth the trouble to have it taken care of.

Thanks, Smitty

 

[franklin2]

I have never worked on your particular engine, but most of the older Fords did not have adjustable lifters, so I doubt they started with it in the later engines.

What weight engine oil are you using? A lighter weight oil in the winter may help it out some.

 

[Blmpkn]

The duratec is a bit of a noisy motor. The 2.3 in my old truck and the one in my fiances old focus always made a racket when it was cold.

 

[Smitty316]

I have never worked on your particular engine, but most of the older Fords did not have adjustable lifters, so I doubt they started with it in the later engines.

What weight engine oil are you using? A lighter weight oil in the winter may help it out some.

Thanks, I use a 10W20

 

[Smitty316]

Thanks, I use a 10W20

Thanks for the info.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Check your manual, most newer engines I've owned use 5w20.

 

[pjtoledo]

2.3 Duratec engines don't have lifters. like many direct acting overhead cam engines they have cam followers that resemble a small can that goes down over the valve spring.
they are the equivalent of solid lifters, and can be a bit noisy.
to "adjust" the cam followers you replace replace it with one of the correct size. Ford sells many different sizes of the followers.
the camshafts need to be removed to access the cam followers.


the "adjustment " procedure is to check & record the clearances, then remove the followers to determine what size they are.
then calculate what size new follower will give the correct gap, replace as necessary.

the 2005 2.3 I pulled last spring had about 366,000 miles and the valve cover had never been off, so no adjustments were performed.

 

[Smitty316]

2.3 Duratec engines don't have lifters. like many direct acting overhead cam engines they have cam followers that resemble a small can that goes down over the valve spring.
they are the equivalent of solid lifters, and can be a bit noisy.
to "adjust" the cam followers you replace replace it with one of the correct size. Ford sells many different sizes of the followers.
the camshafts need to be removed to access the cam followers.


the "adjustment " procedure is to check & record the clearances, then remove the followers to determine what size they are.
then calculate what size new follower will give the correct gap, replace as necessary.

the 2005 2.3 I pulled last spring had about 366,000 miles and the valve cover had never been off, so no adjustments were performed.

This is great information. I really appreciate your reply. Smitty

 

[19Walt93]

This is great information. I really appreciate your reply. Smitty

Are you sure it's lifter noise? Is it a steady noise or does it double knock when you burp the throttle? Piston slap is loudest cold and often disappears warm. An engine that gets a lot of short trips and doesn't get fully warmed up would be more prone to piston slap. That being said- I have never seen a Duratec engine with piston slap so don't panic.

 

[Smitty316]

2.3 Duratec engines don't have lifters. like many direct acting overhead cam engines they have cam followers that resemble a small can that goes down over the valve spring.
they are the equivalent of solid lifters, and can be a bit noisy.
to "adjust" the cam followers you replace replace it with one of the correct size. Ford sells many different sizes of the followers.
the camshafts need to be removed to access the cam followers.


the "adjustment " procedure is to check & record the clearances, then remove the followers to determine what size they are.
then calculate what size new follower will give the correct gap, replace as necessary.

the 2005 2.3 I pulled last spring had about 366,000 miles and the valve cover had never been off, so no adjustments were performed.

 

[Smitty316]

Would worn followers quiet down after it warms up? 19walt93 mentioned piston slap. Any thoughts on that?
Thanks, Smitty

 

[franklin2]

Piston slap is more of a knock when cold, not a ticking noise.

 

[pjtoledo]

Would worn followers quiet down after it warms up? 19walt93 mentioned piston slap. Any thoughts on that?
Thanks, Smitty

I would expect the valve train to quiet down a little as the oil is slung around. the followers are not directly supplied with oil, they rely on oil being flung around for lubrication.
any excess wear may not be just the followers. the camshaft lobes ride against the followers. the wear can be either, or some combination of both.
do you know the full maintenance history of this engine? with normal care theses engines easily last 200,000 to 300,000 miles.

is the ticking constant? like all parts are exhibiting the same sound? that's good. or a tick then a gap before the next tick? that's bad, only one of the parts is ticking.

remember these are "mechanical" valve train components. that means there is a gap between the parts and as that gap slams shut noise happens.
by contrast many/most other engines have "hydraulic" valve trains. there the parts are in constant contact, there is no gap to slam shut and make noise.

by the way, your fuel injectors also make ticking noises. there is a solenoid that bounces up & down inside them. it's a very light tick.