Ford Ranger: Lifter ticking

[ac777]

Just bought this truck as a fun truck for hunting fishing, driving to work etc, and to save miles and gas on my 6.0l Silverado. Its got high miles but it runs good and has a rebuilt tranny in it. Guy said it was parked for 3 years before this winter. When the motor is cold it sounds as if one of the lifters are sticking alittle and making a ticking noise. Its not like a loud knocking noise or something real bad like that, and once it's warmed up it goes away. Is there anything I can do to fix this with out tearing the motor apart or should I just drive it and not worry about it? I was thinking maybe some seafoam would help. I don't know. Well thanks for your time.

AC

[Jeremy airjer W]

Year and engine size?

Posting Automotive Questions.

[ac777]

It's a 1996 STX 4.0 Liter

[Jeremy airjer W]

I think the cam followers on those have a hydraulic lifter in them. If it is a lifter tick than I wouldn't hesitate to add 1/2 can of seafoam motor tune to the oil on a cold engine. Start it up and see if the lifter noise improves quicker if it does change the oil and add the other half of the seafoam to the new oil. If the symptom resolves itself your good to go.

If the sound is more like a rattle than you may have a bad chain tensioner on the drivers side chain. Fairly common problem as well.

[ac777]

Airjer, thanks. it's not a rattling noise, more like a tht tht tht tht if you know what I mean. I think I will try the seafoam thing pretty soon.

[Scott K]

Also look for a cracked exhaust manifold, or a broken exhaust stud, where it bolts to the head. Jer, this would be the OHV engine, they didnt put the SOHC engine in Rangers until 01. So the chain tensioner thing would be different.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I guess that would be little old for the SUCK engine

[Nate McVey]

I guess that would be little old for the SUCK engine

Hey now!!!! I resemble that remark

I love my SOHC Ranger.......190,000+ miles and haven't had to do ANY major repairs (knock on wood).......

[Scott K]

Well they did install the SOHC in Explorers in 96, but not the Rangers until 01. I had an 01 Ranger with the SOHC, I bought it new. I put like 4,000 miles on it, I hated it from the day I took it off the lot. The engine was great, lots of power, I could leave black marks from every stop sign, I would get about 17 mpg with it. Then I hooked my boat up to it, it didnt like to pull it, I would get about 8 mpg pulling my boat, if I drove 55. Then the firestone recall, the recall took off the Firestone tires that made the truck ride nice and smooth, and they put Good Years on it, and it rode rough, and had tire noise the rest of the time I had it. The truck rattled like crazy. The engine I think would have been better put into a car, because it has plenty of power, but its power band was at 5000 rpm, and it would suck gas like crazy then. I just bought a F150 then, I got 19 mpg empty, and 14 pulling my boat. It rode much smoother as well.

[pureinsanity]

Hey now!!!! I resemble that remark

I love my SOHC Ranger.......190,000+ miles and haven't had to do ANY major repairs (knock on wood).......

Last time I said that about my car, the timing belt broke and a valve hit the piston

Now it has a new head and timing kit.

Best of luck to you

[zamboni]

My 97 Explorer with the 4.0 SOHC has over 170,000 on her and not a single wrench has been turned on it.

[Scott K]

My 97 Explorer with the 4.0 SOHC has over 170,000 on her and not a single wrench has been turned on it.

I agree, they are a solid engine, but when something goes bad $$$$

[zamboni]

It's a 97, something really expensive goes on it I will get a diff one. I have been saying I 'm gonna drive it til she dies, and I literally mean it.

Will NOT be the last Explorer I own. I love it.

[Scott K]

The 2011 Explorer is pretty sweat! New look, very cool ride!