engine noise

[vfm2010]

03 Limited 4.6L 60,000 miles

A couple of weeks ago I noticed a groaning/ grumbling noise that is intermittent at idle and while coasting. I listened for noise with hood up and traced it to the air box, so ipulled the airbox open and listened again and noticed a slight hesitation or stumbling while noise repeted itself ( I could hear a change in the intake charge that must be reverberating in the airbox.) Could this be an early sign of timing chain issues or air/fuel management problems?

Thanks in advance for any advice
Vince

 

[RUNTINGS]

I have an 02 mountaineer v8 4.6 awd 56,000 miles, just a few weeks now when I start up and go down the street am hearing a noise like a chain rattling when am slowing down coming from the engine, but when it drive for a few miles and warm up the noise go away,am thinking its my timing chain too, but the noise go away after about 3 miles. Is this the same thing you hearing?.
Thanks.

 

[vfm2010]

No, the noise is the same with hot or cold engine and I can't hear any chain noise. I'm hoping it isn't the timing chains as this is an expensive repair( about $3,000 from what I'm hearing elsewhere here). Looks like a trip to the shop for me. Thanks and Good Luck with yours, don't let that go too long. snapping the chain could cause a domino effect of destruction if that's what your hearing.