Posted: 9/27/2012 5:48:31 AM EDT
| So my 3.0 Ford Ranger engine is running superb, except for an intermittent engine tap. Only at idle. 194k. I use 5-20 (may be 5-30, whatever is on the sticker under the hood) and I'm wondering if swapping valve springs, rockers, and push rods would do anything positive without pulling the heads? It's pretty easy to get the valve covers off. This will be my work truck for maybe 5 more years. 2000. |
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I wouldn't worry about a tap at idle. It has 194K miles.
ETA: If it really bugs you, and you want to change the rocker and pushrod, just change the one that's tapping. Figure out which side it's on, then run it with the valve cover off and put your finger on the rockers one at the time until it stops. It could well be a lifter though, as previously stated. |
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Put 5w-20 oil in it, regardless of what the sticker says. There is a TSB that says so.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/fulltext/show_article.php?tsb=02-1-9 If you are running 5W-30 now, this may be your answer. I would recommend Motorcraft Synthetic Blend. It's what Ford recommends, and they have to pay for the warranty work, so I trust their word. Also, it's good stuff by all accounts. Edit: Oops, that link doesn't show the text of the TSB. This is what it says... ISSUE: Ford Motor Company now recommends SAE 5W-20 viscosity grade for servicing most gasoline and flexible fueled vehicles. ACTION: All 2001 and 2002 vehicles where SAE 5W-20 is specified should be serviced at the recommended oil change intervals using SAE 5W-20. This oil is an improved formulation to improve fuel economy. Testing has validated this viscosity grade can be used in many previous model year vehicles. It is recommended ALL vehicles on the following Vehicle Application Listing be service with SAE 5W-20. All 2001-2002 vehicles other than those listed in the "Exception 2001 Vehicles" or "Exception 2002 Vehicles" chart are being filled with SAE 5W-20 motor oil at the factory and should also be serviced with SAE 5W-20 oil. Vehicle Application Listing Approved For SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil 1993-1996 1.9L Escort/Tracer 1995-2000 2.0L Zetec Contour/Mystique 1999-2002 2.0L Cougar 1997-2002 2.0L Escort/Tracer 1998-2002 2.0L Escort ZX2 2000-2002 2.0L Focus 2001-2002 2.0L Escape 1993-1997 2.3L Ranger 1993-1994 2.3L Mustang 1993-1994 2.3L Tempo/Topaz 1998-2001 2.5L Ranger 1995-2000 2.5L Contour/Mystique 1999-2002 2.5L Cougar 2001-2002 3.0L 4V Escape 1996-2001 3.0L 4V Taurus/Sable 1993-2002 3.0L (Vulcan) Aerostar/Ranger, Taurus/Sable (Flexible Fuel and Gas) <snip> |
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Rislone... Try this first. Yes. Most likely you have a lifter that isnt sealing correctly and causing extra valve lash. One of those things I would just have to hear to know exactly what it is. This can be corrected by inspecting rocker arms and pushrods for damage and replacing lifters. Intake+valve covers must come off. |
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Hydraulic lifter issue ? Push rods. No lifters. There's your problem...Push rods are hell on camshafts without a lifter under them. Yes, I'm not an engine guy. Never considered what was under the rods. I've only worked on DOHC engines that have those lifters up under the rockers. Can these lifters be extracted and replaced from the top? Again, it's easy to get the valve covers off. |
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Rislone... Try this first. Yes. Most likely you have a lifter that isnt sealing correctly and causing extra valve lash. One of those things I would just have to hear to know exactly what it is. This can be corrected by inspecting rocker arms and pushrods for damage and replacing lifters. Intake+valve covers must come off. I'll look for this today. Thanks. |
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Put 5w-20 oil in it, regardless of what the sticker says. There is a TSB that says so. http://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/fulltext/show_article.php?tsb=02-1-9 If you are running 5W-30 now, this may be your answer. I would recommend Motorcraft Synthetic Blend. It's what Ford recommends, and they have to pay for the warranty work, so I trust their word. Also, it's good stuff by all accounts. Edit: Oops, that link doesn't show the text of the TSB. This is what it says... ISSUE: Ford Motor Company now recommends SAE 5W-20 viscosity grade for servicing most gasoline and flexible fueled vehicles. ACTION: All 2001 and 2002 vehicles where SAE 5W-20 is specified should be serviced at the recommended oil change intervals using SAE 5W-20. This oil is an improved formulation to improve fuel economy. Testing has validated this viscosity grade can be used in many previous model year vehicles. It is recommended ALL vehicles on the following Vehicle Application Listing be service with SAE 5W-20. All 2001-2002 vehicles other than those listed in the "Exception 2001 Vehicles" or "Exception 2002 Vehicles" chart are being filled with SAE 5W-20 motor oil at the factory and should also be serviced with SAE 5W-20 oil. Vehicle Application Listing Approved For SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil 1993-1996 1.9L Escort/Tracer 1995-2000 2.0L Zetec Contour/Mystique 1999-2002 2.0L Cougar 1997-2002 2.0L Escort/Tracer 1998-2002 2.0L Escort ZX2 2000-2002 2.0L Focus 2001-2002 2.0L Escape 1993-1997 2.3L Ranger 1993-1994 2.3L Mustang 1993-1994 2.3L Tempo/Topaz 1998-2001 2.5L Ranger 1995-2000 2.5L Contour/Mystique 1999-2002 2.5L Cougar 2001-2002 3.0L 4V Escape 1996-2001 3.0L 4V Taurus/Sable 1993-2002 3.0L (Vulcan) Aerostar/Ranger, Taurus/Sable (Flexible Fuel and Gas) <snip> Changing to a slightly thinner oil aint gonna do shit. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Put 5w-20 oil in it, regardless of what the sticker says. There is a TSB that says so. http://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/fulltext/show_article.php?tsb=02-1-9 If you are running 5W-30 now, this may be your answer. I would recommend Motorcraft Synthetic Blend. It's what Ford recommends, and they have to pay for the warranty work, so I trust their word. Also, it's good stuff by all accounts. Edit: Oops, that link doesn't show the text of the TSB. This is what it says... ISSUE: Ford Motor Company now recommends SAE 5W-20 viscosity grade for servicing most gasoline and flexible fueled vehicles. ACTION: All 2001 and 2002 vehicles where SAE 5W-20 is specified should be serviced at the recommended oil change intervals using SAE 5W-20. This oil is an improved formulation to improve fuel economy. Testing has validated this viscosity grade can be used in many previous model year vehicles. It is recommended ALL vehicles on the following Vehicle Application Listing be service with SAE 5W-20. All 2001-2002 vehicles other than those listed in the "Exception 2001 Vehicles" or "Exception 2002 Vehicles" chart are being filled with SAE 5W-20 motor oil at the factory and should also be serviced with SAE 5W-20 oil. Vehicle Application Listing Approved For SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil 1993-1996 1.9L Escort/Tracer 1995-2000 2.0L Zetec Contour/Mystique 1999-2002 2.0L Cougar 1997-2002 2.0L Escort/Tracer 1998-2002 2.0L Escort ZX2 2000-2002 2.0L Focus 2001-2002 2.0L Escape 1993-1997 2.3L Ranger 1993-1994 2.3L Mustang 1993-1994 2.3L Tempo/Topaz 1998-2001 2.5L Ranger 1995-2000 2.5L Contour/Mystique 1999-2002 2.5L Cougar 2001-2002 3.0L 4V Escape 1996-2001 3.0L 4V Taurus/Sable 1993-2002 3.0L (Vulcan) Aerostar/Ranger, Taurus/Sable (Flexible Fuel and Gas) <snip> Changing to a slightly thinner oil aint gonna do shit. Okay, thanks for the info. |
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At idle I think the oil pressure would be the lowest causing some noisy lifters.
Besides the bearings being worn with high milage, reducing oil pressure even more. It will probably run like that for a long time, mine has. Every now & then I toss a 1/2 can of STP in to shut it up. |