What's this mystery engine noise?

[Cra1g]

https://youtube.com/shorts/2UdLNav2M8o

2002 B4000 automatic with the V6 4.0L. Some days it doesn't make this noise, other days it does. I've heard it's a loose timing chain and replacing the tensioner can help. I've also heard it's the infamous "marble noise" and there's nothing that can be done about it and doesn't hurt the engine..

 

[fordranger?]

I don't know what that is it it's not a knock thats for sure I mean how many kilometers are on it???

 

[Brain75]

The fact it is soo rythmic makes me want to look in the engine somewhere (since the whole rest of the drivetrain is dead at a stop like that - or at least from behind the input shaft).... but, I had a similar noise I found pretty easy, it was a cracked exhaust hanger + missing rubber, etc etc - the exhaust was skritching away rubbing on everything. Ignoring that mess do you have a miss in one of the cylinders - that would cause a loping like that and make an exhaust rub show up so rythmic like that - but it would be a consistent miss.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Sure sounds like timing chain rattle to.me.

The lower oil pan comes off pretty easy. You might want to drop it and look for timing chain guide material in the bottom.

Did you replace tensioners?

Was the noise there before you did?

 

[Brain75]

2002, so that would be a SOHC, - they started in 2001... I have only heard the SOHC "death rattle" on youtube vids, never that clearly and in person. I missed the fact it was a SOHC at first, so yeah the timing cassettes would be my first guess even though it didn't sound like the couple youtube vids I saw

 

[Cra1g]

To answer some questions here, mileage is at 116K. It doesn't do it all the time either. I haven't replaced the tensioners yet, but that might be my next move. If I send in a sample to Blackstone would they be able to help diagnose by metals in the oil?

 

[Brain75]

the earlier the SOHC, the worse the timing cassettes I understand, 2001 was the first year - so you are only in the 2nd year...

no lab needed, you are pulling the pan and looking for plastic trash (big chunks of the timing "guides") in the pan.

might google 4.0 SOHC timing chain (on youtube) and hold on to your ass for the details...

 

[Cra1g]

no lab needed, you are pulling the pan and looking for plastic trash (big chunks of the timing "guides") in the pan.

Do I just need to remove the lower oil pan to check?

 

[fordranger?]

Drain the oil then look for chunks in the oil

 

[sgtsandman]

Check the oil for plastic chunks. If nothing there, try replacing the tensioners. If that doesn't fix the problem, you timing chain guides may be broken. Fordtechmakuloco has a four part video series on youtube on doing the replacement.