clicking in motor

[nbark04X]

New to the forum!! This past summer I was driving the Explorer and all of a sudden it sounded like the exhaust manifold fell off the motor (04 4.0L). stopped and checked everything out and found that the #4 spark plug popped out of the head. Spoke to a mechanic, stated that this can happen with aluminum heads. After having to re-tap the threads we got a new plug back into the hole.

Ever since then I have had a terrible noise coming from the motor. It sounds like a bad spark knock like I have been using low octane gas. I use the highest octane possible plus just to see if it helped I have used octane boost but no luck. Still sounds horrible. I am going to replace the plug one more time just incase that one has fowled out or something.

Any ideas? Could it be something with the valves, valve springs? Maybe a lifter needs adjusted or something.

Has anyone had something similar happen to them?

 

[Kerminator]

Have 02 XLS (4L) w. 182K have heard a similar clicking sound at ideal on the driver side of engine @ idle; but so far have not found any reason and replaced all the plugs and it seems to run OK...

 

[nbark04X]

Mine does it at idle, while driving and tends to get louder as it gets hotter. Oh and the transmission makes a whinning noise along with the rearend.

 

[Exproblems]

Oh and the transmission makes a whinning noise along with the rearend.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The tranny whiney noise could be coming from the torque converter, possibly from low tranny fluid pressure. I had this problem last year and a new fluid pump and a change of the fluid from the pan and a new filter stopped the torque converter whine. The new pump and fresh tranny fluid raised the fluid pressure. Might be a good idea to get that checked out at a tranny shop you trust before other problems with the tranny start showing up. The rear diff's on these EX's, early years mostly 2002's, are known for having a rear diff whine. Maybe have the rear diff fluid changed and some in here that had the rear diff whine swear by using "Royal Purple" gear oil. They claim it stopped the whine from the rear diff. Rear diff uses 75W-140 Full Synthetic gear oil and if you have the "Limited Slip" diff, you need to add at least 4 ounces of "Friction Modifier". Rear diff holds 1.60 to 1.75 qts.

 

[nbark04X]

I havn't looked but according to the manual AND the dealership my explorer has a "SEALED" transmission. I can't check fluids. How will I get the old fluid out and new fluid into the trans? Is there a place to put fluid in or a drain plug?

 

[blueoval9erlifer]

on mine there is a drain plug and then the dealership uses a plug in the tranny pan that you pump the fluid into it has a nipple on the inside end that is long enough that once fluid starts draining out of it it is full so you then have to remove that plug and put in the original. you should be able to buy one from them i did

 

[Cape explorer]

sticky lifter!

 

[nbark04X]

Solution to sticky lifter?

 

[blueoval9erlifer]

Exactly Cape sorry kinda got off track as i went through the posts. Fords have been notorious for lifter ticking for years usually after it runs for a few seconds to a minute they will quite down but not go away totally. Not sure what the fix is but maybe a product like SEAFOAM added to the crankcase according to the instructions on the bottle will help loosen it up and make your noise dissapear.

Anyone agree??

 

[nbark04X]

Man I hope it works. I am going to try it this weekend and see.

Thanks