Cold engine ticking on Ford: rod bearing about to fail?
 

This isn't about a Mercedes gas or diesel, so it doesn't fit into the usual forum categories. Still, I've always been impressed by the breadth of automotive knowledge on the forums, so I thought I would post the question here in Open Discussion.

My third vehicle (besides the 240D and W201) is a 1990 Ford Ranger with the 2.3l 4 cylinder engine. It has 161k on the original engine. It's been reasonably well maintained (oil changes every 3000 miles), and runs well. However, lately I've noticed that when I start the truck from cold, wait my usual 30 seconds to get oil flowing well, and then start driving there's a tick-tick-tick that I hear when I let off the gas and coast to the stop sign about 2 blocks away at the bottom of a slight hill. Once the engine is warm I don't ever hear the tick.

Long ago my initial foray into auto repair came via John Muir's book VW Repair for the Compleat Idiot. I even ordered the rare narrated cassette tape of John demonstrating various engine ailments, and I recall the one where he let off the gas on a VW, and you could hear a similar tick-tick-tick. I probably should have this looked at before something catastrophic happens, right?

Kurt

It's possible. Did the problem start after the last oil change? If so, check the filter. If it's one made by someone other than Motorcraft, or Wik, change it again. Fram isn't well liked by Ford engines.

No, I have heard many stories of Ford and Fram mixing, and they arent 'live happily ever after' stories.

Again, I say, you really don't have a clue...

FRAM is well known for starving FORD engines of much needed oil. It has been well documented.

This is what Ford has to say about NON-Ford filters and Warranty work.


Engine Damage / Non-Ford Oil Filters - All Model Years, All Vehicles
A review of warranty claims indicates that engine damage caused by defective non-Ford oil filters is being claimed under Ford warranty.

The check valves in some non-Ford filters disintegrate causing small rubber debris (frequently red color) to migrate into the engine's oil passages where they restrict flow. This restriction causes components (such as the variable cam timing phaser) to fail, and causes engine knocking / ticking /rattles.

Please reference:

SSM #18921 (Published: 11/03/05)
SSM #19642 (Published: 03/01/07)
TSB #06-19-08
Repair of engine damage caused by defective non-Ford oil filters is not covered per Section 3 of the Warranty & Policy Manual.

Category: Powertrain – Engine
Do: Look for bits of rubber (frequently red color) when repairing damaged engines.
Don't: Submit a warranty claim for damage caused by defective non-Ford oil filters.



The problem of a Fram on a Ford is the anti-drainback valve or tube that is made of cardboard in a Fram. It can collapse, making it non functional.

Oil pick-up unit perhaps clogged, or not sending properly? Just a suggestion.
I do not think these models come with an oil pressure gauge.
With one of those, it is easy to tell if you are having pressure drops.
Hopefully it is just something minor.

Or...perhaps it is exhaust related. eg: once it warms up, and the exhaust pipe expands, the noise goes away.

X2 on the oil pressure gage.

If it's exhaust related, chances are it's a cracked exhaust manifold. Not the end of the world, but a bear to get into it to get the bolts at the top!!

I still suspect the clogged oil passages.

I think oil passages and bearings in general are common failings in Ford engines.

It is well documented that all Ford engines have internal oil passages. It is also a fact that some Ford engines have failed.
You may draw your own conclusion.

the 2.3 is the old pinto engine design.they use followers on the camshaft.these were good for wearing and causing rattles in the top end.i replaced a ton of em.

Pull the plug wire off with insulated pliers when it does this, if it goes away its a rod bearing.
Do a hand check around the exh manifold for leaking exh. I had a buddy was all gung ho to replace the lifters once and I found a manifold leak and tightened the nuts and took care of it.

Usually a rod bearing sounds like someone tapping metal with a ball peen hammer and they don't go away, ticks more often are exh leaks, lifters.

Buy a MAC!!! oops, wrong thread. :eek::D

Hey, thank you for all the responses! As it turns out, the oil filters that are most often on sale, and thus the ones I purchase, ulp, are Fram PH8A. And I did have an episode about 2-3 years ago when the oil pressure gauge started going low for a period of about a week. It cleared up mysteriously, and has been normal since. I guess that's my last Fram purchase.

I will follow up on the other possibilities, too. Thanks,

Kurt

Unless they changed the oil flow path, there was a problem with that 2.3. The oil ran up thru one of the cam support towers and into the cam. The back end of the cam was a dead end--no flow out-- except for the holes in the cam lobes. If dirt obstructed the cam lobe holes, then more dirt could settle out because there was no flow--which caused more solids to settle etc.
( working from memory on this, so forgive me if I remembered wrong)

Wix makes NAPA, so those are safe. Motorcraft are safe as well.

Cheaper doesn't mean better...

Well, thanks for trying to get me on the right foot, but turns out I already was. I accidenly typed are, instead of aren't. My Dad and his friends wont touch Fram filters. Neither will I, I go K&N. Slightly spendy, but well worth it.