clicking noise when motor is cold

[Cobra Jet]

My problem was actually the transmission, which I had replaced recently.

Can you explain any more? What was the issue w/ your trans? I doubt this is the issue at all, because the trans (and rest of the drivetrain) operates flawlessly, with no issues at all when driving...

 

[grunh]

I have since figured out what my problem is. It's the tensioner on the timing chain going bad. It has very slowly gotten worse over the last couple of years. My mounty now has 75,000 miles on it. I first started hearing it around 50,000. It is definitely more pronounced now and also occurs at about 2500 rpm right before it shifts (I have always babied the hell out of it). Oh the solenoid packs in the tranny are also going out now, Argh! Stupid 2002's. I still love the truck though and plan on getting an extended warranty through Warranty Direct to pay to have the timing chain and transmission replaced (I can feel some clutch slippage as well). An $1800 dollar warranty sounds a lot better than $4000+ in shop bills.

 

[Cobra Jet]

back TTT - looking for some more responses/ideas/or others that have experienced a similar issue...

thx!

 

[DanaM]

I had a clicking noise at start up and when driving. Started turning the heater knob on heat only instead of defrost or defrost and heat. Actually tested it by turning the heating knob to the off position and starting the vehicle The clicking did not happen. It was the air compressor coming on because the defrost was always on. Now, if I hear the clicking I do not mind it, just means I turned on the air or defrost.

Not sure if this is your issue but I hope it as easy to fix as my annoying clicking noise.

D a n a

 

[mhamric]

I had a very similar problem. Only happened when it was really cold. For the first few minutes of running it I'd hear a clicking noise. As soon as it was warmed up, it went away. And it would only happen between 1500-3800rpm's. Got it to a mechanic friend and he thought it was the belt tensioner going bad which is very common. Unfortunately, it wasn't the noise I was hearing. Then he figured out it was the power steering pump(well, the fluid anyways), flushed the power steering fluid and noise was gone.

Did this on a friends 2000 Explorer with the 4.0 as he was having the same noise and his went away too.

Something that is pretty easy and cheap to try. And if it hasn't been done in a while, worth doing.

Mark

 

[BrianDye]

I would be willing to bet its the lifters....my 92 did the same thing, the colder it was outside, the longer it'd take them to stop, but after about 5-10 minutes of idling they would all quiet right up

 

[captainL]

Funny. My 2002 just started doing that this winter too. About to hit 100K and I came on hear to look up some maintenance and saw this thread. The only thing I have changed this year is that it is outside instead of in the garage (Reserved for the Infiniti). I'm about to change the spark plugs and PCV valve and I'm hoping the noise will go away. If it does, I'll be sure to let you know on this thread. Might be a few days. Of course I'll have to wait for a cold day down here in houston too.

 

[captainL]

I replaced the spark plugs, wires, and pcv valve. I was hoping the noise was from the pcv valve??? Nope. It still makes that clicking noise when it is cold though. However I noticed that my idler pulley was just slightly wobbling. I am assuming that this is due to the barings going out on it. I loosened the belt and the idler pulley still spins freely?? And the noise gets faster when you rev the engine.

So I think I am going to replace the idler pulley. The belt still looks fine and so does the tensioner pulley but I do have 97,000 miles on the car. From what I gather around here is isn't a bad idea to just replace those pulleys and belt at the same time??? Any thoughts. Thanks.

Going to look into a power steering fluid flush too. Relatively simple I would imagine, but I've never done one.

 

[BrianDye]

It's not your pulleys it's the lifters, why would the noise quit when the engine warmed up if it was a pulley lol

 

[captainL]

Brian, I guess it could be the lifters? Not being sarcastic, I know some but not a lot about car engines and how they work. Why would you think it is the lifters? How do lifters go bad? Aren't they what opens and closes the valves? So would the clicking be the valves slamming shut or not opening properly. Wouldn't there be other problems associated with this? Also, is it possible for just one lifter to go bad or do they all go bad together. And why would they quit making noise once the engine warms up.

My thought on the pulley was.....I can visually see it wobbling and it is known to go bad. Once the pulley spins for a while it heats up and makes the lubrication inside a little more viscous and stops the noise.


But I could definitely be wrong. Thanks for any insight.

 

[Cobra Jet]

OK - just want to clarify some things - as it seems others are having or have had a similar issue...

I'm currently doing process of elimination right now as of this posting...

I can say this for all of those saying it's A) lifters or B) timing chain tensioner issues or C) internal engine issues... IT'S NOT.

I have pulled the serpentine belt completely off of the vehicle and upon cold start up (today it's in the 20's in NJ) - there is absolutely NO NOISE AT ALL, NO CLICKING, NO TICKING. So, that rules out ANY INTERNAL issues. For those that have not tried this step yet, make sure the truck is stone cold, remove the belt and start the truck. If there is NO noise, NO ticking/clicking, it's NOT an internal related issue at all.

Now, before I removed the belt, YES, upon initial start up in 20* weather, there was the same ticking/clicking noise. With NO belt on the engine and with the truck is still stone cold, upon initial start up, there are NO noises.

I have also spun all of the front accessories w/ the belt OFF:

idler pulley
water pump
fan clutch
A/C compressor
pwr steering
belt tensioner pulley
alternator

...and upon spinning each, I do not get ANY noises at all, nor is there any binding occuring with any of those items.

If I put tension on the belt tensioner and rack it up and down, I can hear a faint click noise, however, obviously I cannot put as much tension on the part as much as it has on it when the belt is completely installed.

My current guess is - I have ANOTHER bad belt tensioner... The original Ford part was replaced when the original pulley went bad, the 2nd was a Pep Boys replacement which was replaced in the summer. The 2nd tensioner was then replaced when I first had the initial "tick" problem when it got cold this winter... Now the third tensioner is another PB replacement... When I first installed this tensioner AND the previous one, niether made any noises upon initial start up w/ the belt installed. Only over a few weeks or so has the noise become pronounced again.

These tensioners were purchased from Pep Boys and obviously - they are "Made in China"... My current thinking is, the tensioner is bad and is possibly just a poorly manufactured part w/ inferior parts that make it up... I also noticed that when putting the slightest amount of pressure on it, the tensioner moves quite easily - whereas once out of the package when brand new, it was harder to move.

I'm going back out there to look over more stuff - but I can ASSURE everyone in this thread the noise is NOT due to lifters, timing system parts or any other internal engine noise...

For those who have not tried process of elimination YET - I suggest if you can or have time, remove the belt, cold start the vehicle and see if the noise persists - IF the noise is still there AFTER you have removed the belt, then YOUR situation is going to be different from mine.

IF YOU REMOVE THE BELT, DO NOT RUN THE VEHICLE FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME, AS THE WATER PUMP WILL NOT BE OPERATIONAL W/ THE BELT OFF! You can start the truck and run it for at least 2-3 minutes at most, but DON'T let it sit at idle for an extended period of time.



I'll update when needed...

 

[EasyRhino]

I do not spend 5 minutes speculating on the source of a noise or pulling parts/buying parts before first using an automotive stethoscope, because I don't have the time or money to waste.

Those that use a scope know what i'm talking about. Those that don't are skeptical because they have not tried it yet. I wrenched on cars for 30 years before I wised up and got one - what a difference.

All you have to do it start the engine and carefully probe on/adjacent to potential suspect parts, even internal engine parts. Just mind the moving parts. The difference in noise between smooth running bearings and shot bearings is incredible. Rattling engine timing chains, water pump bearings, shot idler pulley bearings, stuck injectors, etc. quickly and easily reveal themselves. I think I paid less than 10 bucs for my stethoscope.

Mechanics that get good with the stethoscope can even pick up stuck rings and bad bottom end bearings. I've watched them.

If I were you I would do no more easter-egging of parts without scoping your engine.

But if I were guessing (as we are all doing at this point) I would first confirm that you are not running a FRAM oil filter (commonly known anti-drain back valve failure problem with these filters), and concentrate on the timing chains.

 

[captainL]

Well. I had my old man in town and he is pretty good with cars. Used a home made stethoscope ( several ratchet extensions put together) and it works surprisingly well. Before the engine warmed up, we were able to tell a few things. The noise is NOT coming from the lifters or the idler pully. Tried all sorts of different spots and could not find where it was coming from. Thinking it might be a small exhaust leak or some sort of pneumatic valve opening and closing. It's coming from the passenger side of the engine and goes away once warmed up. Of course my wife tells me that it has always made that noise - I dunno - its running fine so I'll just keep an eye on it.

 

[slvr00gt]

My '98 4.0 ranger makes the noise for a few minutes after strartup in the cold weather. The noise comes from the passenger side. It is a bearing like noise. Sounds like you put bunch of bearings in your hands and shake them. When I stand next to the car with popped hood I can swear it comes form the alternator except that I just replaced alternator and I can't make out that noise when I put stethoscope to the alternator. Tensioner and idler pulley are also new. As an experiment, I removed the belt and started up the engine in the morning cold. NO NOISE. The problem is somewhere in accessory drive

 

[Curtis]

bisjoe,

Thanks for your reply. I checked the exhuast system, and it appears no leak whatsoever. As for the oil, I actually just changed the oil (5w-30 Castrol GTX) last week. 5w-30 should be thin enough, right?

paso6,

Mine, too, making the clicking noise under the hood on the passenger side. It lasted about one minute or so after driving a few blocks away from home. The truck started without any clicking noise this afternoon when it's warm.

Tonight is cold again. I bet it's going to make the noise again tomorrow morning.

Hmmm... 5 w-30...
my 04 takes 5w-20 as is marked on the oil filler cap.
My 02 Taurus took 5w-20 too, check to make sure you have the right oil in it... 5w-20 is a little thinner.

 

[slvr00gt]

Here is video with the noise audible. Noise is a bit subdued on the video, but more pronounced in reality. Also, you can clearly hear the difference as camera moves from left to right and back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OfnmKIbQZ4

 

[Oldwolf]

Use a mechanics stethoscope (mine is a long screwdriver) and see if you can pinpoint the location of the noise.

I could hear the noise in your video.

 

[Curtis]

Here is video with the noise audible. Noise is a bit subdued on the video, but more pronounced in reality. Also, you can clearly hear the difference as camera moves from left to right and back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OfnmKIbQZ4

I do here the difference in side to side as you mention.
Did you take the belt off an run it?

My 96 had a tick / click noise. I put it in to the dealer and for $79 diagnostics they said it was the belt tensioner. I asked "did you take it off and run it to check for sure"
The answer was no.
I was pissed to pay that money and they did not even test their hypothesis.
I had no tools and some guy in the waiting room heard me arguing, he came over.. said he had tools in his truck that he'd lend me... Nice guy
So in the parking lot I took the belt off...... Quiet!! no ticking...

That was 6 years and 100k ago...

 

[slvr00gt]

I do here the difference in side to side as you mention.
Did you take the belt off an run it?

My 96 had a tick / click noise. I put it in to the dealer and for $79 diagnostics they said it was the belt tensioner. I asked "did you take it off and run it to check for sure"
The answer was no.
I was pissed to pay that money and they did not even test their hypothesis.
I had no tools and some guy in the waiting room heard me arguing, he came over.. said he had tools in his truck that he'd lend me... Nice guy
So in the parking lot I took the belt off...... Quiet!! no ticking...

That was 6 years and 100k ago...

Yeah, I took off the belt and ran the truck. No noise. Belt tensioner is new, although it could be bad too. Other people on this thread mentioned the problems with new tensioners. I tried to listen tensioner and alternator with stenoscope, but could not hear anything. I never used stenoscope before, so may be I am missing something there.

 

[Curtis]

Yeah, I took off the belt and ran the truck. No noise. Belt tensioner is new, although it could be bad too. Other people on this thread mentioned the problems with new tensioners. I tried to listen tensioner and alternator with stenoscope, but could not hear anything. I never used stenoscope before, so may be I am missing something there.

If the tensioner is new, then I think it should be ok.
What else is there...?
Power steering.. thats on the drivers side
Maybe the alternator bearing?