Engine ping/rattle at idle

[Rob (215)]

Apart from the alternator issue i also have that popular and annoying rattle at idle (600-700 rpm) i'm very picky on my maintanence and have been since i got it back in 2007 with 145k on the clock. Didn't do it that much at all then but over the time it's getting worse. At startup, sometimes it's loud with the rattle when engine turns over then when rpm regulates it goes away but when warmed up it's just there, almost like i have a diesel and not gasoline engine.

I was told many things over the 2 years anywhere from the oil pump to the timing chain and other things that may be loose inside the engine. yeah i got 180k mi. on now and really unless it's the cause for my poor hp it dosen't actually cause any problems, more of an annoyance but i'm worried. I have switched to castrol syntec 10w-30 oil a while back but after this rattle.
Other than that, everything is tuned up w/ fresh plugs/wires and the whole nine and of course i ain't using regular either, 89 all the time and only at shell.

If there's something wrong and if this sounds familiar let me know, i'll take any advice! ....thanks.

 

[lopez93explorer]

maybe that rattle could be connecting rod bearings. if the rattle is faint it could be your valves if its kinda loud check your rod bearings for damage and replace them if necessary.

hope this helps.

 

[chapsdeva]

Rob

Sounds like you have the "death rattle". There are numerous posts on this topic which describes the issue and how to fix it. I've had my rattle for close to 100K now and it still runs fine....although I know I should get it fixed.

 

[Rob (215)]

yeah i keep hearing about the death rattle. what exactly is it? i only hear it faintly when i idle but as soon as the rpm revs it goes away. i think i may have narrowed it down somewhat between the valves tapping, timing chain, connecting rods, oil pump. but it's so hard to find the source, and like you guys said you can go for thousands of miles on end with no issues and that's exactly what i'm doing... waiting for the inevitable i guess. i'm kinda on the "no budget" thing with the truck now thanks to our recession so i'm hoping i can get some more years using the synthetic oil. that's another thing, is it not good to put thicker oil in these engines (10w-40) with the problem i have or would it make any difference?

 

[westdime]

If it's the timing chain rattle then it will do it between 2500-3000 rpms also.....just had mine changed at 130,000 and after I seen the parts that came out of it I could have ran another 200,000 miles. The spring was week on the primary but that's it. I see alot of people panic over this and I don't think it's as big a deal as some make it out to be.

Can it fail? Yes. Will it fail? Not likely.... The odds are that a few do fail but most don't....there is probably 2 million sohc engines running around out there....strong.

 

[Cobraguy]

What engine do you have? 4.0 or 5.0? If the V6, could be chain noise. You could run it by a couple of shops or dealers and have them listen to it if you aren't sure.

 

[Rob (215)]

Yeah i got the 4.0 v6 which is what most people have, most of the people i went thru seem to be aiming not so much to the timing chain because it only rattles slightly when at idle (650rpm) but either the oil pump (which could explain that loud rapid sound of rattling when it starts up cold, then goes away after 3-4 secs.) or simply just something else thats loose up inside the engine that can't be identified unless you just pull everything apart (which is not ideal in my situation of course) I'm also getting a number of other possibilities from you guys now that i see that it so common and really it does kinda scare me!

 

[suzukid124]

Connecting rod bearings?

Yeah i got the 4.0 v6 which is what most people have, most of the people i went thru seem to be aiming not so much to the timing chain because it only rattles slightly when at idle (650rpm) but either the oil pump (which could explain that loud rapid sound of rattling when it starts up cold, then goes away after 3-4 secs.) or simply just something else thats loose up inside the engine that can't be identified unless you just pull everything apart (which is not ideal in my situation of course) I'm also getting a number of other possibilities from you guys now that i see that it so common and really it does kinda scare me!

I'd say that it could be your Connecting rod bearings, i have 148xxx miles on mine, and they're starting to wear out, my x has been sittin in my driveway for about 6 months now, and the other day i finally found time to get out there, drop the oil pan, and find my connecting rod caps to be loose as hell!, but from hearing about your x, this seems to be the first thing that pops into my head

 

[suzukid124]

I have a 1997 xlt 4.0

I have a 1997 x, it almost sounds like a diesel engine, its hideous, heres a video that my brother took of it, as far as my dad and I are concerned, its the rod bearings, but thats what it most likely sounds like, but any ideas, message/reply. thanks! Make sure you click the high quality button, or video will not work for some reason.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6ddtNe5oxQ

 

[Rob (215)]

I'd say that it could be your Connecting rod bearings, i have 148xxx miles on mine, and they're starting to wear out, my x has been sittin in my driveway for about 6 months now, and the other day i finally found time to get out there, drop the oil pan, and find my connecting rod caps to be loose as hell!, but from hearing about your x, this seems to be the first thing that pops into my head

I'm no mechanic so what exactly am i looking at here? can this be fixed? (givin that i get checked and it is..) if so, is it a big job? you guys are probably right, my mechanics are idiots and i've been taking advice left and right. so this is pretty much the "DEATH RATTLE" or is it the timing chain?

Is there any ideas here... i'm kinda wondering how long i got now since im reaching 181,000mi on the thing.

 

[suzukid124]

well you have to lift the engine a couple inches out of the engine bay, the reason being is that your axle is sitting right below the oil pan, and its nearly impossible to remove without jacking it up, and yes it does require a lot of work to be done, i'd have it taken to like a tuffy, or just a local mechanic, and ask him if he thinks its your rods, or if he thinks its anything else