Strange occurances after oil change...

[Bmwz389]

Ok so I decided to change my oil and filter (and plug gasket) today for the first time myself on my 92 Explorer.

The strange thing is, after I got done with it and drove it to where I needed to all day I started it up and heard a strange noise.

I hear this kind of loud tapping noise, as if something is revolving and hitting an object every 2 or so seconds. It only does this when it is gear, and it sounds really terrible.

Also, on my way home from taking my girlfriend home, I stopped at a stop sign and took off like normal (economy style). As I accelerated I hear a quick grinding noise. I really didn't think much of it because my explorer randomly makes noises. Well, I took off again and it made the same noise. I tested it out in a parking lot and same thing every time. I did this roughly 20 times.

When I got home I left it in gear, held the brake, and thought if i can steady the rpms to where it's making the noise, will it keep making the noise?

Sure enough, it did. It sounds like I'm grinding my transmission. It does the noise around 1600 RPM.

I have no idea where to begin.

I know we had the transmission done a little under a year ago. Right after the 4th of July in 2006.

And I really don't think changing my oil wound have anything to do with this. Right?

Please help as soon as anyone can because this is my only way around and I have to work on wednesday

Thanks in advance!

- Brandon

 

[Glacier991]

Sounds very strange. You sure you drained the oil? Did you put 5 quarts back in?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you check your transfer case? Maybe it only sounds like this in a certain setting? How did the transmission fluid, and filter look when you pulled it out?

 

[Bmwz389]

I haven't pulled the transmission fluid yet. and I put 4 quarts in cause when i ran it i checked the dip stick and it was on full. Sounds strange because I thought Explorers took 5 quarts. I could try dumping the last quart and see what happens. I don't want to drive it today because the last thing I need is the transmission blowing out on me again a few cities away...

 

[RyanT85]

did you make sure to put the o ring on the tube that sits up inside the valve body on the transmission?

 

[Bmwz389]

I don't know if yall are reading this right, but I did an oil change. Not a transmission fluid change.

BUT, I did have the transmission fluid flushed and the filter changed today.

I asked them if there was any shavings or or flakes in it and they said it was just a little dirty and the filter was the same.

The grinding noise did go away this morning, as well as the tapping sound. But the tapping sound is back again. So I'm still worried about it.

Any tips of what it could be???

It sounds like it's coming from the front of the engine bay, I stood outside the bay area and listened closely. Even with the hood up.

Any other advice on the ticking? I could try getting a decent audio sample and upload it if necessary.

Thanks again Guys!

 

[Bmwz389]

well now the grinding noise is back...I don't think it has anything to do with the transmission. It might actually be an exhaust bracket making the noise? I know my exhaust has a hole in it but its in the muffler canister and i don't think it would make that noise. I know its' warrantied so I could have it replaced soon.

What do you think guys?

Has your exhaust ever made a strange grinding/rattling noise?

 

[tipdrill]

does it do it when the vehicle is cold or hot? or both?

 

[Bmwz389]

I'm not sure I've only been hearing it at night these past 2 days. And it's weird cause it starts as I leave from taking my girlfriend home....around like 10-12 pm

 

[tipdrill]

the exhaust on our silverado would make noises similar to what you are saying. It would only do it until it got warm. Turned out it was a bracket.

 

[JDraper]

If it's a rattling, buzzing noise, it may be one of the catalytic converter covers. They are notorious for having the mounting tabs rust out. They then rattle and buzz against the converters...

 

[Pollarican]

Yea, those cat converter covers are a pain. That fact that you changed your oil could just be a coincidence.

When mine rattles loud, it usually is pretty cold out, or when I'm sitting at a light idling in a low RPM. Just something to look into.

 

[Bmwz389]

Haha that's ironic you say that because before I read any of these I went to get my muffler replaced because it has a hole 2-3 inches wide in it. As I was doing the oil change, I noticed a heat shield welded the exhaust on the piping after the downpipe I believe. I flicked it and it rattled. I thought just one spot weld had broken loose. But as I was in the shop I noticed that both spot welds on the pipe were broken off. I played with it and it rattled like crazy. I had the guy put on a twist clamp on the heat shield were the spot welds were. You know, the clamps that hold down the intake tubing on the 1st gens. The problem went away. It's crazy what strange noises two pieces of metal will make =)

 

[Bmwz389]

So as I said in my last post, I was checking out my exhaust.

So I found out earlier today that my exhaust Is pretty much shot. Here's Some Pictures:

This is a picture of my exhaust tip:

Here is a picture of the bracket before the muffler:

Here is a picture of the bracket after the muffler:

And here is a picture of the resonater cannister I believe:

As you can see in all of these, rust seems to be a common family in these parts.

So basically what I am getting down to is If I'm going to have to spend $220 to replace this, is there any cheaper or more reliable exhaust I could get. At least for the same price?

I want something with a little mean sound. Not too loud though, something that sounds nice.

So how about it boys? Anything you guys have experienced?

 

[JDraper]

Get the Dynomax cat-back from Summit racing. Aluminized tubing and it's cheaper. Can be installed in your driveway in under 2 hours with hand tools. Toughest part is getting the old system off.

 

[Bmwz389]

After looking into that exhaust system it seems pretty nice. I also noticed that my walker exhaust and the dynomax exhaust are actually somehow corelated..

Check this link, and look here:

http://www.walkerexhaust.com/products/products_default.asp

youll see in the bottom right of the car picture that they both have logos there....strange. I never knew that.

I'll look into that more. I'm just trying to figure out if there is anything reliable and cheaper than 225.00 lol.

 

[JDraper]

Dynomax is a Walker brand....

 

[Bmwz389]

Ahh. See I didn't know that lol. I've been looking around for hte past like 10 minutes and only came up with a sacesetter exhaust. I remember looking at it once. Then I realized why I didn't get it. Price = 299.99

Any other suggestions guys?