Valve Lifters

[Easy Rider]

I have a 91 Explorer with 190K miles on it. Recently I started to hear a really bad knocking noise in the engine. At first it only happened when I first turned the car on and it then went away quickly. Now, the knocking does not go away. I took it to several mechanics and they all said that one or all the valve lifter are most likey bad. Has anyone ever replaced the valve lifter on their own? If so - how extensive of a job is it? Thanks....

 

[Navajo Joe]

I am having the same problem. I have been looking at changing mine out but haven't had the time to do it. I have been doing some reading on it and according to the things i have read if you are going to change the lifters you need to change the cam at the same time. But after talking to the service department at the local Ford lot I'm thinking of replacing the heads at the same time. They told me it would cost $1500-2000 to fix the ticking lifters. If I had a 93 or newer Explorer it would only be $300-500 because the newer heads are easyer to work on and are prone to this type of problem. I am still tring to decide what to do. By the time I buy all the parts to replace the lifters, cam and heads I could almost buy a used engine out of a 97 Explorer with only 30000 miles. Mine has been ticking for the last 30,000 mile and is still ticking away. I think I will just drive it until something breaks and then replace the whole engine. If you find a cheep way to fix yours please let me know.

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91 Navajo 4.0
Bosch Platinum plugs, K&N air filter, modified air box and Bilstien shocks.

 

[Easy Rider]

I read in the Hayes manual as well and it specifies that the cam needs to be replaced and from what I hear from other people who have done this. Its better to overhaul the engine if I was to do this. However, yesterday afternoon I talked to the machine shop service man at Napa and he told me that its not necessary to do this. Its recommended but not necessary. I recieved some good information from another person here and he told me about vanir technologies who sells engine parts for the Ford v6 4.0 engines. I checked them out and the prices are very reasonable. I think I am going to order the lifters and replace them. They cost 199.00 plus shipping. I will let you know how it went.

 

[Ira]

Before going to the extent of breaking the bank, try this possible solution. It only costs $2-3 and if it doesn't work, you have not lost much. Get a can of CD-2 from your local parts place and put it in your oil. This is a detergent and it will help to clean the lifters. Usually what happens is that the lifters will get a sludge film or build-up over a period of time and will not be able to properly fill up. By using the detergent, it will help to dissolve it and possibly remedy the problem. In severe cases, you can use 2 cans.

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Ira
91 XLT 4x4

I used to be schizophrenic, but we're OK now...No we aren't...Yes we are... shut up.

 

[Easy Rider]

Thanks Ira, tried that about 4 or 5 months ago. Worked at first, so I did this every time I changed the oil. A local mechanic told about it and he also recommended me to use 60 wage valvoline oil. Worked like a charm but for the last 2 months it hasn't. Specially in Az where the weather gets a little hot.... Thanks.

 

[Ira]

If it worked for a couple of months, it may be telling you something. You may need to use something stronger to help remove the sludge. They make an additive that you can add to your oil before changing it and this will help to dissolve sludge and varnish and when you change oil, it will drain out with it. I first used Gunk Motor Flush in my vehicles before changing oil. Then I realized this is about the same thing as kerosene. I started draining about 1 to 1.5 quarts of oil out before changing and added about that much kerosene. I would then drive it for about an hour (even though the Motor Flush says to idle only, not drive). I would do this to help it pass thru the system and remove whatever got in its way. Even though many of you may laugh about kerosene, it is petroleum based just as oil is and will just thin the oil but also dissolve sludge. I have used it for several years on various vehicles I have owned and have had no adverse reactions. Use it at your own risk.

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Ira
91 XLT 4x4

I used to be schizophrenic, but we're OK now...No we aren't...Yes we are... shut up.