Valve Tick

[reno]

A guy comes through my gate every now and then, he has a 2002 3.0, it has a tick, sounds like a lifter. He said he has put gas treatment in and oil treatment and those did not work (I told him there is no such thing as a mechanic in a bottle). Is this common with these engines? What should he do\not do?

 

[almostclueless]

it could be a worn out engine, exhaust leak, or noisy injectors. It needs a good diagnosis.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

actually, there is such a thing as a mechanic in a bottle. a good oil flush can, and often does, clear up stuck hydraulic lifters.

ticking isnt common on the 3.0...but there are several things that can cause it (see clueless' post).

if the tick isnt really bad, its probably not worth diving into the engine to fix.

 

[reno]

actually, there is such a thing as a mechanic in a bottle. a good oil flush can, and often does, clear up stuck hydraulic lifters.

ticking isnt common on the 3.0...but there are several things that can cause it (see clueless' post).

if the tick isnt really bad, its probably not worth diving into the engine to fix.

I was always told never to use the oil flush, because it can\will knock clumps of oil and\or carbon loose in which will not flow out the oil drain (to big) and then get sucked up into the oil pump screen restricting the flow of oil and damaging the engine. If it is true or not IDK, but seems a well maintained engine would be fine, but if ya have a used vehicle where as you don't know the history, or if you just never did a routine maint on the vehicle yourself, this potential problem exists.
I do know this kid said when he throttles the engine the tick quietens down, only loud and noticeable at idle, and can hardly hear it at highway speeds. I gave him the web address, but he said he normally works 12 - 14 hours a day and keeps forgetting to come here. I just wanted to try to help a fellow Ranger driver.
Thanks for all your input. I will tell him to check the intake manifold for leaks and the exhaust manifold as well, but seems there woulb be DTC's.

-=Reno=-

 

[Southern3.0]

Like what was alredy said it could be anything from an exhaust leak, injectors etc.

My '02 Edge used to tick, it just started doing it one day and wouldn't go away, I ran sea foam thro the oil then did an oil change 100 Mi later didnt clear it up but the next day it went away and then sometimes it would tick for a short time if the truck sat for a day or two.

Hers a vid of it making the noise
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=11734683

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ive run oil flush through hundreds of engines in my life and have never had it cause a problem...only help. the problem is rarely "chunks", but sludge which is desolved and runs out with the used oil.

usually if a motor is so far gone that an oil flush doesnt do anything, you need to take the motor apart anyway, right?

 

[darkranger]

How often would it be used (the flush that is)?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

you can do it every oil change if you want. when i get a used car, i usually run a flush every oil change untill the oil no longer turns completely black at the end of 3,000 miles. then i'll run it whenever i get the urge (maybe 2-3 times a year).

 

[pillen140]

ive never heard of oil flush, but since you said it, i would trust you.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

most auto parts stores cary in in one form or the other. its usually just karosene or some other type of solvent. you can also use a quart of cheap ATF (usually what i use because its cheap from our bulk tank).

 

[Mutant Pony]

Reading this thread, I was going to ask Wicked if he used tranny fluid for that too but, he beat me to it.
Tranny fluid is basically just real thin oil with a lot of detergent, It is real safe for engine flushes and won't damage anything. Leaving it in the engine to long could be bad though. Part of what lubricates an engine is the oil that is stuck in scratches and imperfections. If you clean it all out you will create more wear. Of course this is all just speculation, there is no way to prove it.

 

[pillen140]

what do you do? fill it up.... run it? drain it, and refill?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

run the truck to get it to operating temp. add 1 quart ATF. let truck idle for 5-10 minutes. change oil and filter.

 

[pillen140]

so, over filling the motor? would you have to change it twice to make sure you got it all out?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ya you over fill it...wont hurt it to idle for a few minutes (dont drive it or rev the engine). no need to change it twice, the motor will be plenty hot by then, most of the ATF will run out...the trace amount that remains wont hurt anything.