Noisy motor.

[Byronator]

I have a 1999 ranger with the 3.0 v6 Flex fuel. It’s been maki this loud ticking noise for quite some time now. I thought it was my exhaust as it gets louder or more pronounced when the engine is under load. However I have inspected my exhaust and repaired any leaks it had and it’s still noisy. Is this a noisy timing chain, a bad lifter, the PCV, or what? Here are links on YouTube to what it sounds like.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I couldn't hear it in the second video... but did in the first.

Sure sounds like an exhaust leak to me.

 

[Dirtman]

Sounds are hard to diagnose on the internet. But 3.0s have a known issue with the cam synchro going bad but that's usually a squeak. Still worth checking to make sure the bushing isn't bad. It can lead to catastrophic engine failure.

 

[Shran]

^ agreed, hard to tell without being there

But I will also say that it sounds like an exhaust leak. Manifold gaskets replaced? Cracked manifold? Hole rusted through your EGR tube?

 

[BlackBII]

Sounds like an exhaust leak to me. If it were the valve train it would have a more metallic sound.

 

[Mightyfordranger]

Yes agreed quite "flappy" like durangos get that flappy exhaust sound.

 

[dvdswan]

^ agreed, hard to tell without being there

But I will also say that it sounds like an exhaust leak. Manifold gaskets replaced? Cracked manifold? Hole rusted through your EGR tube?

I thought these as well but also of the collector.

Try revving the engine while its parked to see if its more pronounce or poppy when it idles down.

 

[Dirtman]

I always find that having a friend who's willing to stick his head under the truck while you rev the engine to be helpful in pinpointing noises.

 

[dvdswan]

I always find that having a friend who's willing to stick his head under the truck while you rev the engine to be helpful in pinpointing noises.

These common sense thoughts are really not appropriate in this day and age. You might just offend someone with it.

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

I have a 1999 ranger with the 3.0 v6 Flex fuel. It’s been maki this loud ticking noise for quite some time now. I thought it was my exhaust as it gets louder or more pronounced when the engine is under load. However I have inspected my exhaust and repaired any leaks it had and it’s still noisy. Is this a noisy timing chain, a bad lifter, the PCV, or what? Here are links on YouTube to what it sounds like.

I have the same problem on my 2000 (fathers truck that had engine replaced [probably with an already worn out junkyard motor] when he ran it hot and killed the from factory motor)

Odd thing is...cold it has the exact same lifter clack/tick..but when it warms up it's practically gone

I am currently in the process of replacing all the lifters (I heard that putting sea foam in the oil might clear up oil passages that might be clogged and it might be the hydraulic part of the lifters that is ticking) well the sea foam didn't work...even ran diesel grade 10w-30 in it for a while and no bueno... (especially since my dad was very bad at not changing his oil regularly and almost all his vehicles before sludged up)

Well pulled all the lifters...no appreciable wear on the solid roller lifter part other than some shiny spots worn on the machined portion that fit in the lifter holes, and all seemed well, even replaced all the pushrods...haven't buttoned it all up yet but will be getting there shortly

 

[Byronator]

Thanks for your input Warhawk. And thank you for your service! I am still having this clicking sound with my engine. I have also tried seafoam with no luck, as well as a heavier-grade oil. I actually just replaced all my lifters this past Saturday. The process went smoothly enough, however, the lifters were not the problem and the noise is still very prevalent. I will add that the sound is hardly even there at idle, or even when I rev it up just sitting in neutral. The clicking sound is the loudest when I am accelerating and the engine is under load. not necessarily just when it's at high revs. My next guess is that the timing chain is going bad and rattling around.

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

Ah...The problem turned out to be a worn bushing in the camshaft position sensor – synchronizer, it was slap worn out and wiggling all over the place...replaced it but currently having issues (not sure if the kids dropped the coil pack because I am not getting spark at ALL from any sparkplug now)