Odd sound - what is it?

[wordsmyth]

I'm looking at a 2010 Ranger with the 4.0 L engine and automatic transmission and it seems pretty well cared for.

But, after it warms up and is idling it has a low pitched "whomp whomp whomp" sound in either the engine or transmission.

The sound is steady and does not fluctuate. It goes away on acceleration and I don't hear it when driving the truck at speed. I don't feel anything (vibration, knock) that would raise my eyebrows. This is heard only at idle.

I have heard this in other Fords -- notably a Windstar van that we owned years ago, and a Taurus that my college kid drove until a wreck totaled it.

Does anyone have any knowledge and/or experience with this type sound?

 

[killj0y]

Think you can record the sound?

 

[snake]

See if they will let you slip the serp belt off and run it 30 seconds or so without to see if it goes away. That will eliminate all the pulleys and everything on the front of the engine. A belt with a bad spot will make all kinds of racket including sounding like a bad lifter.

 

[theAntihero]

Exhaust leak maybe?

 

[wordsmyth]

Re, killj0y's question - I'll try and record it.

 

[wordsmyth]

For an update, I have not recorded the sound but I did go ahead and buy the truck. It was low mileage and in warranty so I'll just keep tabs on it. And as I noted above, I've heard that noise before in other Fords we owned and whatever it was, nothing ever broke.

The only time the noise is heard is when the truck is in drive. I.e., no noise in Park or Neutral.

The performance has been flawless so I'm good.

My next question has to do with alignment. Does the 4WD Ranger have adjustable camber and castor, or is that an aftermarket kit?

 

[Mac]

Funny you bring this up. Have had the same noise that seems to come from the right front. Sounds like someone beating on the underside of the hood in one sec intervels. First noticed it after I shut the motor down, not a every day happening but it's also a 4.0. Had several other 4.0's but first time I've heard the noise.
Dave

 

[wordsmyth]

Because of hearing it when it is in gear but not hearing it when in park or neutral, I am beginning to think it is somehow related to the torque converter.

My other two Fords that had a similar noise never failed, so I'm just accepting it as part of the "personality" of the truck.

 

[Mark_88]

Isn't that why Ford put in such good sound systems? You turn the radio on or put in a CD and...voila~! No more weird noises...

My Dad taught me to always drive with the radio off so I could hear things...lol...but, fortunately, I'm mostly deaf so I don't know when something is going wrong till it actually breaks and I have to respond...

 

[snake]

Get an engine stethoscope and listen around the bellhousing. Might be a cracked flywheel.

 

[Andy D]

No Ford expert, but a cracked flex plate finger makes all sorts of strange noises before it breaks. Please post when you find issue.

 

[wordsmyth]

Andy, what is a flex plate finger - bent or otherwise?

 

[straycat]

Just take it to have it looked at. You said it is under warranty right? Just do it!!! That is a direct order...Just do it....lol That way you will find out if it is something really bad or not.

 

[naford]

+1 but should have it looked at before he bought.IMHO

 

[97RangerXLT]

if it is under warranty, take it in and have them look at it. make sure it is documented what the problem is, and make sure the date an mileage are noted. If they can't find anything, at least you ahve some documentation that it was occurring while under warranty.

AJ