2002 xlt ping on acceleration

[bjenkins]

I bought this with 29k miles. At around 40k miles, it developed a very noticable rattle/ping under acceleration. The noise abates a little right after I change the oil, but comes back soon and the same.

It does have check engine light and if I remember correctly, the code was for EGR or possibly DPFE.

Does this sound reasonable? Could one of those being bad lower compression or such in a cylinder and cause it to knock under acceleration?

If so, how do I determine which component is at fault?

 

[Cali' Explorer]

bjenkins, what the EGR / DPFE do is inject a metered amouny of exhaust back into your intake. What this does is limit the combustion chamber temperature (because there is less fuel/air in the cylinders because of the exhaust gas) which prevents the engine from detonating (pinging).

If either of those sensors or anything related to them goes out, it can cause exactly what you are having, plus things like a rough idle (sometimes), or hesitation under acceleration.

I would say go and buy a Haynes manual on your car if you want to do the work yourself and do the "Inspect" portion for your EGR system. This should tell you for sure, and if there is just a loose hose or something, you will find it during inspection.

On a seperate not, if you have the 4.0 SOHC engine, another thing it could possibly be is the SOHC Chain Tensioner rattle. Ford used a weak spring to tension one of the Overhead Cam Chains and it sounds like a spark rattle. But, if it just started making the noise, this is most likely not the problem.

 

[bjenkins]

Well, it definitely has the chain tensioner rattle also. I can hear it at idle. Does anyone know if that is a warranty only repair, or has it been recalled for that?

 

[Cali' Explorer]

Well, here's the info on it. It isn't a Recall, its a TSB, which means it may not be covered if you are out of warranty. Here's the way to get the info. so you can talk to your Dealer though.

Go to:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/tsbsearch.cfm

Then Enter your Vehicle Year, Make and Model.

When you get to the page that asks you to pick a component, select:
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

None of the other ones list it.

You are looking for NHTSA Item Number: 637920.
It is also Ford TSB Number: 0281

Hope this helps.