1998 Ford Explorer Ticking noise

OHYEA

MEMBER
1998 FORD EXPLORER
4.0L
V6
RWD
AUTOMATIC
205,000 MILES

Hello, recently got help from an expert for a ticking noise and I thought it would be the lifters, well two weeks ago I dug into the engine to replace the collapsed ones but none were, they were all rock solid wouldn't depress (roller lifters) looked on the internet supposedly hard to depress means they are good. Well I inspected the pushrods and rocker shaft assembly one rocker arm seem to let a pushrod go further into it than other so I replaced the shaft and pushrods with better. Thinking that would solve it cause it is metal hitting against eachother with a tiny gap. So put everything back together started engine still have ticking but slightly quieter. Car seems to have more power if that is a thing. What else could it be read that it could be can exhaust leak or the distributor? I looked at headers and on the passenger side the farthest bolt from the front seems to be broken. Because all other bolts are pertruding out with a washer.

6 Replies

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

Since you do your own mechanical work there might be a tool for you. It costs about $5.00 and is a thing that looks like a physician's stethascope. You put it on your ears and the end to a portion of the engine make sure there is nothing that can catch the tubing Move over the valve covers with the engine running and you will be able to pinpoint the valve if that is the problem, Also you can use it on the exhaust to see if there is a lose nut or connection that is taping.

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Monday, August 17th, 2015 AT 7:13 PM

OHYEA

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153 POSTS

Ok, will do. Can you explain how an exhaust manifold leak will cause such a loud tick?

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Monday, August 17th, 2015 AT 8:49 PM

OHYEA

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Also can I use stuff like jb weld for fixes on the manifold, and how would I fix the broken exhaust bolt maybe because it's broken it left a gap. Or can I use the jb weld or etc to make like a seal from the manifold to the head

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Monday, August 17th, 2015 AT 9:04 PM

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

When I said about the lose bolt on the exhaust manifold I was refering to a lose bolt that holds the exhaust together. Listening to the exhaust you would be able to pinpoint the taping sound. Once had a heat shield on a firebird that a bolt was lose. Each time you would rev it up a little the bolt would vibrate. Check with the obvious, the valve covers and listen to see if it is a lifter. You can also use a piece of water hose. Cut a piece of old hose about 2 ft long. Put one end near your ear and the other on the valve cover. This works as my father taught it to me many years ago.

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Tuesday, August 18th, 2015 AT 5:17 AM

OHYEA

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153 POSTS

Ok, well somehow the ticking has stopped. I started the engine this morning and no noise was present just wow I was amazed, but also thinking that maybe the truck is going to do something bad to me when I was driving but it didn't. I did not mess with it after I had put new pushrods and rocker arms assemblies and started it with a ticking which was present yesterday but is not present today. Thank you will keep you informed if it does come back but hopefully not.