Help Please!!! 1998 Xlt

[zjjeepin]

I picked up my first explorer last night for a price i could not pass up... It is a 1998 XLT 4.0l 6cyl auto. It has a serious problem though. Whenever the truck is runing, there is a horrible rattle/knock/tick coming from the bottom end of the engine. It is not the catalytic converter, and it is not the top end of the engine. The noise does not stop no matter what. Is this a common problem, and if so, does anyone know what it is?!?! I was thinkign that it may be the starter not dis-enguaging, so it is ticking when the gears are making contact? Any ideas anyone!

 

[Wrench]

Engine noise

Is your 4.0L OHV or OHC? I would pull the starter to make sure the starter bendix is functioning properly. While you have the starter out check the converter to flex plate bolts for being loose or a cracked flex plate.
Is the noise coming from the back or the front of the block? Check oil pressure with a good mechanical pressure guage.

 

[karl_burns]

Ya know, I've had the same thing for about 25K miles. Sounds like there's a piece of metal in the oil pan and it's being pushed around by a fan because you hear some sort of metal on metal minor crash every few seconds, right?
Not saying it's nothing, but I'm glad someone brought up a topic I keep forgetting to post about....
Karl

 

[zjjeepin]

well, its not every few seconds, its consistant... never stops.?