5.0L Load tapping noise -- Help

[springer275]

I have a 2000 XLT 5.0L AWD Explorer with 170,000 miles on it.

I never had any engine problems till now. Over the winter the motor started tapping, sounded like from the passenger side of the motor to around the back. At first I just thought it was a lifter, with the age of the motor, I just blew it off. Since winter it has progressively gotten worse. It speeds up and slows down with the RPM of the motor, and is very pronounced at very low RPM. When I lay into the accelerator, it is very loud to. While idle it is not noticable, which makes me believe it is not a lifter. (I am not a motor head so some of my terms may not be accurate)

It seems now that I have lost some Horse power, like a cylinder dropped.
and it downshifts more often when I get to a hill. The trany is fine, it was rebuilt a while ago due to a blown torque converter and checks out fine. I change motor oil religously and use synthetic.

I poured Sea foam both in the gas and in the oil to see if that improved anything, but it has not.

ANY SUGGESTIONS? It is great shape and lifted around 2 to 3 inches and I would hate to part with it, but if the engine is a lost cause, not sure what to do.

 

[winner]

i have the same problem with my 98 mounty 5.0, i cant remember exactly but it had something to do with the exhaust. the guy at the ford dealership said it would cost $400 to fix, but it wont mess anything up if you dont get it done right away so i've been running it without getting it fixed, only difference i see so far is lower mpg and thats about it besides it annoying the hell out of me lol

 

[springer275]

It has dropped city MPH significantly too. If that is the case, maybe I can use it as a excuse to replace the manifolds with better flow ones and put in a better exhaust package. Use it as my excuse to the wife anyway -- :

I will explore the exhaust as a symptom. Anyone with any other ideas. Anyone know the specific exhaust problem winner is referring to.

 

[Turdle]

Check the egr hoses, and the tube itself.

I Suspect an exhaust leak in the egr system. The rubber DPFE hoses will often split

Do you have a check engine light displayed also?

 

[springer275]

Yes I have ignored my engine light for a while, well before the tapping started.

 

[winner]

Yes I have ignored my engine light for a while, well before the tapping started.

thats odd, because i have not seen my check engine light come on yet

but i looked back at the note from the dealership and all it said was "exhaust leak" so turdle is probably right

but if/when you get it fixed i'd really like to know how much it cost you and how hard it was mite save a few bucks and cheat the dealership