Engine noise

[Thadd]

My daughter's 99 4.0 makes a terrible noise when it starts....It sounds like the engine has no oil pressure for the first second or two...The noise is a rattle like ALL of the bearings are knocking, or the lifters have collapsed.
This has been a prob since it was new, and the dealers mechanic said that there is a problem there that they can't identify.
Every time she takes it back, they write up the problem differently, and then "remove the carbon" to make her go away. They write it up differently to give them a lemon law defense...
It also has always (since new) had a detonation noise under light acceleration. I thought that computer controled cars had knock sensors that retard the ignition advance when it "hears" rattling....But her local, smilin' Ford dealer says that he can't make it do it, and the diagnostic machine says everything is up to spec..
As a single mother, she is concerned about long term reliability, and is afraid that something very expensive will crop up later.
Anyone experieced these kinds of problems? How were they resolved?(She's talkin' Trailblazer....)

 

[sparkyputerguy]

Just out of curiosity, does she have the OHV or the SOHC engine?

There have been TONS of posts on here about the rattling/marbling during cold startups- all relating to this "carbon buildup". To my knowledge, nobody has found a good long-term fix for this one... seems this "feature" is by design.

As for the knocking under acceleration, my '00 OHV does the same thing. The dealer says there's nothing wrong. In fact, the manual even states that some knocking may be normal. A sphincter says what!?!?! All I know is that my wife's 4-Runner is as smooth as a baby's bottom and I get jealous everytime I climb a hill in the Explorer.

I *have* found that certain types of gas reduces the knocking while under load. I used to use Mobil or Exxon and it made the X sound like you-know-what. But I've been using gas from Getty lately (just the 87) and although it still knocks, it's not as bad.

I'm heading back to the shop sometime next week for my 24k checkup and I'll ask again, but I don't expect them to really determine anything.

Finally, in response to some of my earlier posts about this issue, a lot of people had assured me that the X is a truck- it's not a finely-tuned sports car made to German standards. The OHV engine is noisy, but if treated well and maintained, it should last a long time... I'm keeping My fingers crossed!

Good luck, and I hope this helps!

-PS If anyone has additional input, I'd love to hear some ideas!

 

[Campo]

If it's a SOHC then it could be the Cam Tensioner/Lower intake manifold o-rings which is under Owner Notification Program 00M12

here's a thread that highlight's the info..

Dead Link Removed

Hope this helps

 

[TPLYNCH]

The noise in the '99 OHV is from the wrist pins that were redesigned in '98. They "slap" making it sound like there are marbles in the engine at idle, but supposedly it will not cause any damage to the engine. Mine has had this noise since day one. Have 63K now, and no problems that I know of. I don't have any knocking/pinging when I accelerate, but the engine has always been noisy, so maybe i'm just not hearing it!

If your daughter has the SOHC engine, then I second Campo. And if she does, Ford should definitely know about the fix and perform it. The warranty is extended to 72K for the items mentioned.

 

[Thadd]

I'm sorry that I didn't get back, but I've been out.
Bottom line...the dealer has had the car since Thursday.. They called Friday and informed my daughter that they are installing a new engine...I guess that my feeling that it was lack of start up lubrication has now attained some validity..Or they are dumping a new engine in it to make her go away...
On the part throttle detonation, they "Installed a new chip" to make it go away, but attempted to charge her a $85 diagnostic fee.
My new tack with them is to see if they will give us a SUPER deal on a 2002 (or even a 2001), but I suspect that the new engine is going to be what shakes out.
Thank you for responding...Walking into the dealer with a handfull of posts from this site had some effect.
Thadd

 

[01EB5.0]

Originally posted by Thadd
I'm sorry that I didn't get back, but I've been out.
Bottom line...the dealer has had the car since Thursday.. They called Friday and informed my daughter that they are installing a new engine...I guess that my feeling that it was lack of start up lubrication has now attained some validity..Or they are dumping a new engine in it to make her go away...
On the part throttle detonation, they "Installed a new chip" to make it go away, but attempted to charge her a $85 diagnostic fee.
My new tack with them is to see if they will give us a SUPER deal on a 2002 (or even a 2001), but I suspect that the new engine is going to be what shakes out.
Thank you for responding...Walking into the dealer with a handfull of posts from this site had some effect.
Thadd

The new engine is because the cam tensioners are bad and i guess it went too long without being repaired and caused engine damage. I have heard that those SOHC engine have had to be replaced as early as 34,000 miles because of that issue