4.0 Ongoing Engine Trouble

[Bishop0517]

I am at my wits end with the truck! Last year I had to replace all timing chains and guides. I should have just replaced the engine but all parts were free. The same ticking is happening just before they went last time. I change the oil, and the rattling (almost like a diesel) stops to a slight tick in the rocker. Once warms up back to loud engine. My pressure is good. I have replaced lash adjusters. Not rockers yet. My ex wife ran out of gas multiple times. Could it be something with fuel pump? Ca. An oil passage be clogged? This is my only means of transportation and I don't wanna give up on "Dora" just yet. Anyone have any idea what could be causing this?

 

[Jesla]

Might check the harmonic balancer, if it already hasn't been replaced/upgraded.

 

[75ohm]

I am at my wits end with the truck! Last year I had to replace all timing chains and guides. I should have just replaced the engine but all parts were free. The same ticking is happening just before they went last time. I change the oil, and the rattling (almost like a diesel) stops to a slight tick in the rocker. Once warms up back to loud engine. My pressure is good. I have replaced lash adjusters. Not rockers yet. My ex wife ran out of gas multiple times. Could it be something with fuel pump? Ca. An oil passage be clogged? This is my only means of transportation and I don't wanna give up on "Dora" just yet. Anyone have any idea what could be causing this?

Aha! Someone else that shares my misery! In it with you...

It is the incessant rattle that "diesels" at different times - different in warm/cold, humid/dry, etc...

I had the engine OUT of the vehicle and had all chains/tensioners done and even replaced what appeared to be a sticking hydraulic lifter. The block was dipped and all passages cleaned as well...

Does yours sound like it is driver side? Mine does...

I've also got another noise but I believe that is bearing related on a pulley, a tick-tick-tick that speeds up with revs...

My next step, if I don't move on to another vehicle, is to replace the driver side lifters and rockers as I believe a poor design on the timing components put some premature wear on these bits and we are getting what we are getting from it.

 

[Bishop0517]

75ohm and I with twin trucks separated at assembly

Its funny my hatch has the same crack. I've seen it on many vehicles. Just below wiper, 12 to 6 position. Anyway, I've gone thru and replaced my lash adjusters (lifters) on driver side. I just got the rockers the other day for 130 for 6. And yes the knock is coming from driver side forward most cylinder. Have you ever ran out of gas? The Ex ran out many times because the light never came on. And that year and month of assembly (FEBRUARY) is the most expensive. I have put 10w-30 in it for summer. Thought a little bit thicker would help............NOPE! I just turned 127k and think if I get this fixed it could hold off a few more years. Side note. Strange design with rockers. No oil hole where meets lifter head. Design flaw?

 

[75ohm]

Its funny my hatch has the same crack. I've seen it on many vehicles. Just below wiper, 12 to 6 position. Anyway, I've gone thru and replaced my lash adjusters (lifters) on driver side. I just got the rockers the other day for 130 for 6. And yes the knock is coming from driver side forward most cylinder. Have you ever ran out of gas? The Ex ran out many times because the light never came on. And that year and month of assembly (FEBRUARY) is the most expensive. I have put 10w-30 in it for summer. Thought a little bit thicker would help............NOPE! I just turned 127k and think if I get this fixed it could hold off a few more years. Side note. Strange design with rockers. No oil hole where meets lifter head. Design flaw?

No doubt, twins...

I ran 10w30 for a while, no change, back to 5w30. Before I had the engine pulled I did a serious seafoam experiment -- quieted things down a bit but still didn't get rid of that "rattle". Mine is in exactly the same spot as yours.

I've got 154k on mine and it runs strong; had the transmission rebuilt two years ago so I want to hold on as long as possible as well to recoup the expense. Ride is in great ship otherwise; washed, waxed, detailed often.

Also cleaned the injectors big time while the engine was out... etc.

My curiosity is in the MAF and timing now as well... I get different results in different types of weather, regardless of engine temp.

Out of curiosity, is yours a "K"/flex fuel as well?

 

[75ohm]

Also, have never run out of gas on the explorer...