Engine & DrivetrainEngines and Drivetrains can be a major problem for a lot of vehicles. If you are having engine or drivetrain problems, you can post your questions/concerns about the issue. Furthermore, if you are in the process of doing an engine rebuild, post your progress with pictures.
Ok. To bring you up to speed, I have a 1999 Ford Ranger XLT 4.0L 4x4 (off road) and it has a Manual Transmission.
I recently purchaced the truck used with 89,000 miles on it. It now has 98,000 miles on it. I also just recently decided that I would get a mechanic to go through it and replace EVERYTHING that was wrong with it. It ran well over all, but I figured this was a smart thing to do since I did not know the maintanance records of its previous life.
THE PROBLEM:
I told the mechanic that there was a noise coming from the engine ONLY WHILE IDLING. The noise sounded very similar to engine pinging, but obviously was not because it was not driving or under a heavy load or driving at all for that matter. It kindof sounds like a diesel engine of sorts, but not really that bad. Just has the clacking of a diesel, but not as bad as you are thinking. Just enough for you to notice while you are standing outside, like there is SOMETHING loose somwhere. Other than this noise, the truck seems to not be effected by the noise and runs fine. The sound seemed to be coming from more on the bottom side and almost underneath the truck. It doesnt sound like valves really and is heard more easily from under the truck than if you pop the hood and look at the engine. The truck runs solid and has no problems or sounds while driving except for this knocking clattering clacking sound while idling.
Here are the things that I have read or tried.
First off, I figured it might be the knock sensor or something similar. I read about MAF's being dirty and causing engine noise so I cleaned the MAF and that did nothing. It was not dirty either. This is about the time I took it to the mechanic to have him inspect and replace anything.
He replaced:
Oil
The Fuel Filter
Oil Filter
Air Filter
Spark Plugs and Wires (which needed to be replaced badly)
All Fluids including transfer case, differentials, and transmission.
Belt tensioner
(There was other stuff but it didnt have to do with the engine)
All of this did not effect the idle clatter and clacking. Even after replacing all of the worn, and needed parts the engine seems to run worse and make more noise.
This mechanic diagnosed the problem as: Valves or lifters. Just ignore it or use an oil additive. He clamed that the noise was normal.
I didnt believe him.
I took it to a second mechanic to get another opinion.
He told me that it is probably a loose pully or a loose bearing somewhere on the pully. He took out a stethescope thing attached to a rod and poked around on the engine and said that the noise was not coming from the valves or any of the major engine components and that he was sure it was on the belt.
The thing is, the first mechaninc checked the belt when he replaced the tensioner, the second listened for any signs of problematic internal engine components (valves, lifters etc)
I CANT FIGURE OUT WHERE THIS NOISE IS COMING FROM!
I dont believe the second mechanic either because the noise is loudest underneath the truck, if you crawl right behind the front driver side wheel, and is again, only there (or heard) when idling.
The second mechanic told me to take off the belt and run it for a few seconds to see if I hear it, and that way I will know if its on the belt, but that is not where I am hearing the noise coming from so i dont even want to screw with that whole problem.
It is not the heat shield either.
The noise does not effect anything else except for being loud and preventing me from selling my truck to people because they think my engine is blown or something.
It is not a blown head gasket. It doesnt make noise except for idling and the trucks power is great and everything else is great except for this ghost noise that neither I or any other mechanics can seem to find.
Nobody else on the internet seems to have the same problem. I keep chasing forums where people are talking about engine clattering but I always find that my noise is not the same problem as theirs.
Is there anybody who can help? Anybody with the same problem or hopefully a solution so I can make it go away?
If the noise is gone my truck will idle and sound so smooth, but until then this stupid noise is preventing me from selling it to anybody because they are afraid there is some serious problems. Lets hope not.
Hope to hear from somebody soon.
Thanks
Last edited by adpebass; 04-25-2008 at 01:54 AM..
Reason: forgot to put engine size in my post
It isn't the throwout because the throwout only works when the clutch is pushed in. Otherwise it is not doing anything. The noise is not effected by pushing the clutch in or leaving it out. The noise does not change.
Also I crawled under the truck while it was idling and it is definitely coming from the clutch area and not the pullys. Somebody else suggested that it could be the pilot bearing? I dont know.
Hi, Im new to the site, and I was looking through forums when I noticed this one. I have a 2000 Ford Ranger 4.0L that I purchased the other day and I am having the same exact problem as you are. I did the same thing you did, by changing the plugs/wires, oil/filter, air filter, and a fuel filter and it did nothing.
Was wondering if you ever figured out what it was, cause it is bugging the crap out of me? Like you said, it doesn't affect the performance at all and it only does it at idle. If I give it a little gas, or even if I turn on the AC, it goes away. Please help, cause I just bought the truck and I dont want to take it to mechanic and end up spending $2k on a truck I got for $4500. Thanks
i have the exact same problem with my suv. it has a sohc 4.0, 2wd, auto. i would love to know the problem if anyone found out the problem. hope its not bad.
Sounds to me like a bolt is missing to a bracket somwhere you cant visually see or could be bad motor mounts. Engines tend to shake the most at idle so whatever is not botlled down tight will rattle.
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maybe an exhaust leak, if it increases with RPM.
maybe tailpipe is rattleing.
__________________
BroncoJoe19
2006 Alt Fuel Jeep (electric)
'98 windstar 3.8L
'99 Crown Vic 4.6L
'90 Full Size Bronco 5.0L
I'm not a professional mechanic, take my suggestions with a grain of salt, or a cup of coffee
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there is a timing chain tensioner on the back right side of the motor that could cause this noise. it a quick fix one bolt on the back of the right head. get to it in the wheel well.
__________________
BroncoJoe19
2006 Alt Fuel Jeep (electric)
'98 windstar 3.8L
'99 Crown Vic 4.6L
'90 Full Size Bronco 5.0L
I'm not a professional mechanic, take my suggestions with a grain of salt, or a cup of coffee
At the bottom of each post there is a little icon
Clicking it gives feedback to the moderators, and poster regarding which posts are most helpful.
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1999 Ranger Idle Noise... HELP! 
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