The torque converters are know to rattle/knock,, you get that rolling knock sound at idle in gear..not sayin thats what you have but Ive seen a bunch do that.. ticking noise doesnt sound chain guide, maybe a follower. chains usually rattle when the guides are worn out.... ford stuff is probably the best to get..

 

Noise

The knock could come from the pump in the trans and it sounds like the converter
id live with it unless you want to exchange the trans and converter
the engine tick could be a bad lifter bas as you know you cant find which one without taking it apart and they are kind of a pita,fixing in chassis
ken

 

thanks guys.. the converter is what I have been wondering. Its just weird how both started the same day.

Looking at the Haynes Manual for the SUv, says to do timing chains, guides, tensioners you remove the rockers and lash adjusters? is that a typo? why would I disassemble the upper head pieces for the timing set on the front of the engine?

Rob

 

You would remove the followers just to prevent the cam from turning on its own while the chains are off. is it needed? no..Just remember they are an interference engine, valves will hit the pistons and can be damaged if the cams turn without the chains on...

 

well after some more reading.. I would likely replace the lash adjusters while I am in there anyway. maybe the rockers as well just for good measure.

transmission shops have been telling me that the sounds could BOTH be from the tensioners/guides being worn out... so I am headed out to pull a couple valve covers and see what the chains feel like.

Rob

 

it is normal for the tensioner on the pass side to bleed down,when apart you will notice that chain has slop,
this is not abnormal
as soon as you crank the engine over w/key it should pump right up and have no slop ,if not then its a prob
ken

 

Ken, will the tensioner slack and accompanying sound be extremely loud? I mean, like I can hear it inside the house, in the kitchen loud, for the first 10-15 seconds the truck is started?

Rob

 

Tick

No like i said if working normal it will pump right up while cranking, these build pressure to the tensioner immediatly
did you try changing the oil filter? Use a fl820 and never a cheap 1.00 filter or even a fram they are bad for modulars
stick w/ fl820's always
ken

 

I always use Motorcraft oil and the 820. I am doing an oil change today anyway.

the thing is that both noises are VERY loud at start up and until the engine gets the trans into 5th gear, then everything quiets down. Only a faint lifter-type tick. the knock is definitely toward the rear of the engine, or seems to be and is always at start up from cold. Light hammering once warmed up.

I'm picking up a mechanics stethoscope today to isolate if its indeed the tensioners (low on Pass Side, high on driver's side) and see if I can tell if the knock/hammering is in the trans or just amplified through the block to the back....

I just REALLY don't want a catastrophic failure right now. We are down to 1 vehicle in the family until late next week.

Rob

 

Tick

My wifes 03 expl 4.6 4x4 has a loud scraping sound and a hollow rattle from the bellhausing,i thought it was the converters,wrong. We exchanged the trans and converter under esp warranty and it was quiet as a mouse,there was an older service message on the engine tick where you would change the cyl head to fix it,if i were you i would not worry or chase to fix it,i never heard of one causing catastrofic failure,just tearing down for insp sounds catastrofic to me
ken

 

thanks Ken.. I have been using a technicians stethoscope this afternoon and the knock is definitely around #6-7 piston area. not the rear of the engine. So I either have a wrist pin or rod goind quickly.

I am resolving myself to a used replacement... trying to weigh all the options and get the best bang for the buck and get a solid foundation for some future upgrades.

So I am back to a Teksid 2v conversion. I am going to have to swap either my 17cc pistons if they measure out ok.. or a set of 91-96 2v 11cc pistons for a compression boost.

Rob