Tapping noise, very serious
Asked by RTBBilly Aug 20, 2017 at 12:59 AM about the 1992 Ford Explorer 4 Dr Eddie Bauer 4WD SUV
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Here's the thing, I have this 92 Ford explorer
4.0l Eddie Bauer edition 4x4, that I recently
acquired for $xxx.xx I knew it should have
some problems, but the guy really needed
the money, so here is the problem, when
the engine is running it makes a tapping
noise (like a rocker) on the top of the engine,
I thought it was a rocker so I took it a part
and one (or more) is loose has anyone found
a sperate problem that would make it to
where I don't have to replace my camshaft,
it's a lot of work and I will do it, but I know
I'm not the only person on this planet that
has had this problem. Thanks in advance. -
RTBBilly
11 Answers
enginecreator answered 6 years ago
All these older Exploders rattle worse than a scared rattle snake. The good news is it will run for years as long as you can stand the noise.
Thanks for the advice, it sounds like what will happpen, I had already known when I bought it that around 80% of them rattle like a jar of loose change, I am a little apposed to idea of "driving 'til it drops" I was more on the side of do you think a camshaft would fix it?
enginecreator answered 6 years ago
New valve train from cam to push rods, valves, rockers, springs, seats, the whole 9 yards.
enginecreator answered 6 years ago
If you go that far it would be just as wise to have the heads rebuilt. Make sure the oil galleries are not clogged and test oil pressure and new timing chain installled. New timing chain may be what you need the most.
enginecreator answered 6 years ago
Timing chain kit with new tensioners is always recommended.
You've done that before?, I'm a break it and toss it kind of guy, so I will drive it til it stops, Left or right, hundred fifty well spent, Thanks
Oh wait do you need to remove the heads to replace the valve rod seats? I saw them at the bottom of the valve rod housing, because it could be those seats, that's what happened to my Chevy and I only had to remove the intake manifold and valve covers. I could talk you through my approach to replacing them,
enginecreator answered 6 years ago
No but you do need a tool to use with a compressor to pressurize the cylinder from the spark plug hole, And tool for compressing the spring under the rockers as you remove the seats, the air compressed cylinder will hold the valve from falling into the open cylinder. The push rods will pull straight out after the rocker arm is removed,inspect both ends and make sure they are clear, the push rods have a oil gallery inside them, they also receive wear on the ends and if timing is off can also bend so roll on flat surface to confirm it is not bent. Timing chain kit is fairly straight forward and likely there is youtube videos to show how to do this too. Cam can be worn but likely not the main problem. Slop in the timing chain will rattle the upper valve train till they are no good.
I have thought long and hard,(not true) I shall fix it with a legendary not yet copy righted fix all technique, I shall "billy Stein" (like Frankenstein) make it work when it shouldn't, i will make totally custom valve seat adapters, Basically fixing the valve train. thanks for this insightful conversation, -RTBBilly
So many things to talk about, but my fix will work, this has been insightful, educational, and helpful, thanks once more, P.S they need more people like you here, you went above and beyond.
