Chattering noise coming from engine bay under light-hard acceleration up a hill?
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Pullman, WA
Chattering noise coming from engine bay under light-hard acceleration up a hill?
When I first got the truck I had a chattering coming from the engine bay when I would be below 3k rpm’s climbing a slight hill. Recently the noises have gotten louder and at higher rpm’s, even on flat ground. I am suspicious that this is a timing chain issue. Am I correct? If i’m wrong, any tips on what it could be? If i’m right, any tips on installing a new one? Should I try and do it myself or am I best to bring it to a shop? Appreciate all the help.
Welcome to the forum
You should always include year of Ranger and engine model
2001 3.0l?
If its a 3.0l then for sure not a timing chain issue
What you describe sounds like pinging/knocking noise, caused by cylinders igniting prior to spark plug firing
3.0l engine runs 9.3:1 compression ratio so is prone to pinging if there is too much carbon build up, or EGR system is clogged, or gasoline you are running is lower Octane than advertised
When you hear this noise BACK OFF the throttle, it will cause engine damage
I would fill up with 91 Octane and see if the sound lessens, just for now
Octane is a HEAT rating, 87 octane will SELF ignite at a lower temp than 91 octane
When the piston comes up to compress the air/fuel mix that causes heat, and a lower octane fuel may self ignite just before spark plug fires, this causes TWO EXPLOSIONS in the same cylinder and what you hear are the two explosion sound waves hitting each other, described as a ping or knock noise
Pull all 6 spark plugs and look at the tips, blackish residue is carbon build up and that is what is coating the inside of the head and piston top, this causes an increase in compression so 87 octane fuel now self ignites when it didn't before, and it also causes MORE carbon build up
EGR system was added to lower the temperature in cylinders to prevent a spike in NOx gases, a toxic gas, but by lowering the temp it also helps to prevent pinging/knocking using 87 octane fuel, if EGR system is not working like it should then temp is higher and pinging/knocking with 87 octane fuel
Does the CEL(check engine light) work, should come on with key on?
But regardless you should read the codes to see if there are any in memory
Auto parts stores will usually read them for free, just WRITE ANY CODES DOWN, and don't buy any thing until you know what the code actually mean, the auto parts guys DO NOT know what they mean
You should always include year of Ranger and engine model
2001 3.0l?
If its a 3.0l then for sure not a timing chain issue
What you describe sounds like pinging/knocking noise, caused by cylinders igniting prior to spark plug firing
3.0l engine runs 9.3:1 compression ratio so is prone to pinging if there is too much carbon build up, or EGR system is clogged, or gasoline you are running is lower Octane than advertised
When you hear this noise BACK OFF the throttle, it will cause engine damage
I would fill up with 91 Octane and see if the sound lessens, just for now
Octane is a HEAT rating, 87 octane will SELF ignite at a lower temp than 91 octane
When the piston comes up to compress the air/fuel mix that causes heat, and a lower octane fuel may self ignite just before spark plug fires, this causes TWO EXPLOSIONS in the same cylinder and what you hear are the two explosion sound waves hitting each other, described as a ping or knock noise
Pull all 6 spark plugs and look at the tips, blackish residue is carbon build up and that is what is coating the inside of the head and piston top, this causes an increase in compression so 87 octane fuel now self ignites when it didn't before, and it also causes MORE carbon build up
EGR system was added to lower the temperature in cylinders to prevent a spike in NOx gases, a toxic gas, but by lowering the temp it also helps to prevent pinging/knocking using 87 octane fuel, if EGR system is not working like it should then temp is higher and pinging/knocking with 87 octane fuel
Does the CEL(check engine light) work, should come on with key on?
But regardless you should read the codes to see if there are any in memory
Auto parts stores will usually read them for free, just WRITE ANY CODES DOWN, and don't buy any thing until you know what the code actually mean, the auto parts guys DO NOT know what they mean
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Pullman, WA
Welcome to the forum
You should always include year of Ranger and engine model
2001 3.0l?
If its a 3.0l then for sure not a timing chain issue
What you describe sounds like pinging/knocking noise, caused by cylinders igniting prior to spark plug firing
3.0l engine runs 9.3:1 compression ratio so is prone to pinging if there is too much carbon build up, or EGR system is clogged, or gasoline you are running is lower Octane than advertised
When you hear this noise BACK OFF the throttle, it will cause engine damage
I would fill up with 91 Octane and see if the sound lessens, just for now
Octane is a HEAT rating, 87 octane will SELF ignite at a lower temp than 91 octane
When the piston comes up to compress the air/fuel mix that causes heat, and a lower octane fuel may self ignite just before spark plug fires, this causes TWO EXPLOSIONS in the same cylinder and what you hear are the two explosion sound waves hitting each other, described as a ping or knock noise
Pull all 6 spark plugs and look at the tips, blackish residue is carbon build up and that is what is coating the inside of the head and piston top, this causes an increase in compression so 87 octane fuel now self ignites when it didn't before, and it also causes MORE carbon build up
EGR system was added to lower the temperature in cylinders to prevent a spike in NOx gases, a toxic gas, but by lowering the temp it also helps to prevent pinging/knocking using 87 octane fuel, if EGR system is not working like it should then temp is higher and pinging/knocking with 87 octane fuel
Does the CEL(check engine light) work, should come on with key on?
But regardless you should read the codes to see if there are any in memory
Auto parts stores will usually read them for free, just WRITE ANY CODES DOWN, and don't buy any thing until you know what the code actually mean, the auto parts guys DO NOT know what they mean
You should always include year of Ranger and engine model
2001 3.0l?
If its a 3.0l then for sure not a timing chain issue
What you describe sounds like pinging/knocking noise, caused by cylinders igniting prior to spark plug firing
3.0l engine runs 9.3:1 compression ratio so is prone to pinging if there is too much carbon build up, or EGR system is clogged, or gasoline you are running is lower Octane than advertised
When you hear this noise BACK OFF the throttle, it will cause engine damage
I would fill up with 91 Octane and see if the sound lessens, just for now
Octane is a HEAT rating, 87 octane will SELF ignite at a lower temp than 91 octane
When the piston comes up to compress the air/fuel mix that causes heat, and a lower octane fuel may self ignite just before spark plug fires, this causes TWO EXPLOSIONS in the same cylinder and what you hear are the two explosion sound waves hitting each other, described as a ping or knock noise
Pull all 6 spark plugs and look at the tips, blackish residue is carbon build up and that is what is coating the inside of the head and piston top, this causes an increase in compression so 87 octane fuel now self ignites when it didn't before, and it also causes MORE carbon build up
EGR system was added to lower the temperature in cylinders to prevent a spike in NOx gases, a toxic gas, but by lowering the temp it also helps to prevent pinging/knocking using 87 octane fuel, if EGR system is not working like it should then temp is higher and pinging/knocking with 87 octane fuel
Does the CEL(check engine light) work, should come on with key on?
But regardless you should read the codes to see if there are any in memory
Auto parts stores will usually read them for free, just WRITE ANY CODES DOWN, and don't buy any thing until you know what the code actually mean, the auto parts guys DO NOT know what they mean
Appreciate all the help, sorry this is my first time posting on this forum. Yes I have the 3.0L V6, sorry for not specifying. I will get on this asap, problem is i’m currently across the state right now on vacation, and in a couple days I need to drive this truck back, over the Washington mountains, to where I live. I’ll take it as easy as possible to reduce the chattering noise since it causes damage. Where I’m at gas is crazy expensive, so I’ll have to wait on the 91. I’m only 17 and I don’t have much money. Appreciate the help, i’ll update when I get to checking these things.
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Pullman, WA
Welcome to the forum
You should always include year of Ranger and engine model
2001 3.0l?
If its a 3.0l then for sure not a timing chain issue
What you describe sounds like pinging/knocking noise, caused by cylinders igniting prior to spark plug firing
3.0l engine runs 9.3:1 compression ratio so is prone to pinging if there is too much carbon build up, or EGR system is clogged, or gasoline you are running is lower Octane than advertised
When you hear this noise BACK OFF the throttle, it will cause engine damage
I would fill up with 91 Octane and see if the sound lessens, just for now
Octane is a HEAT rating, 87 octane will SELF ignite at a lower temp than 91 octane
When the piston comes up to compress the air/fuel mix that causes heat, and a lower octane fuel may self ignite just before spark plug fires, this causes TWO EXPLOSIONS in the same cylinder and what you hear are the two explosion sound waves hitting each other, described as a ping or knock noise
Pull all 6 spark plugs and look at the tips, blackish residue is carbon build up and that is what is coating the inside of the head and piston top, this causes an increase in compression so 87 octane fuel now self ignites when it didn't before, and it also causes MORE carbon build up
EGR system was added to lower the temperature in cylinders to prevent a spike in NOx gases, a toxic gas, but by lowering the temp it also helps to prevent pinging/knocking using 87 octane fuel, if EGR system is not working like it should then temp is higher and pinging/knocking with 87 octane fuel
Does the CEL(check engine light) work, should come on with key on?
But regardless you should read the codes to see if there are any in memory
Auto parts stores will usually read them for free, just WRITE ANY CODES DOWN, and don't buy any thing until you know what the code actually mean, the auto parts guys DO NOT know what they mean
You should always include year of Ranger and engine model
2001 3.0l?
If its a 3.0l then for sure not a timing chain issue
What you describe sounds like pinging/knocking noise, caused by cylinders igniting prior to spark plug firing
3.0l engine runs 9.3:1 compression ratio so is prone to pinging if there is too much carbon build up, or EGR system is clogged, or gasoline you are running is lower Octane than advertised
When you hear this noise BACK OFF the throttle, it will cause engine damage
I would fill up with 91 Octane and see if the sound lessens, just for now
Octane is a HEAT rating, 87 octane will SELF ignite at a lower temp than 91 octane
When the piston comes up to compress the air/fuel mix that causes heat, and a lower octane fuel may self ignite just before spark plug fires, this causes TWO EXPLOSIONS in the same cylinder and what you hear are the two explosion sound waves hitting each other, described as a ping or knock noise
Pull all 6 spark plugs and look at the tips, blackish residue is carbon build up and that is what is coating the inside of the head and piston top, this causes an increase in compression so 87 octane fuel now self ignites when it didn't before, and it also causes MORE carbon build up
EGR system was added to lower the temperature in cylinders to prevent a spike in NOx gases, a toxic gas, but by lowering the temp it also helps to prevent pinging/knocking using 87 octane fuel, if EGR system is not working like it should then temp is higher and pinging/knocking with 87 octane fuel
Does the CEL(check engine light) work, should come on with key on?
But regardless you should read the codes to see if there are any in memory
Auto parts stores will usually read them for free, just WRITE ANY CODES DOWN, and don't buy any thing until you know what the code actually mean, the auto parts guys DO NOT know what they mean
Just got around to pulling my spark plugs and there is some black residue. The pinging stopped now that i’m filling up on 91. What do I do from here? No codes were thrown yet. Do I replace my EGR system? I just replaced my spark plugs since I was taking them out anyways. Appreciate the help.
You would have a code if EGR system wasn't working like it should
So its most likely carbon build up in the cylinders, the black residue, that's causing the pinging/knocking
Compression ratio(CR) determines what Octane fuel you can use "as is"
9.3:1 ratio is about the limit for 87 octane fuel, and that's the ratio for the 3.0l engine
CR is the difference in area(volume) when piston is down all the way and when its up all the way, CR is the pressure in the head cavity when piston is up all the way
If there is carbon build up inside the cylinder, in the head cavity and the piston's top then it causes less volume so higher compression ratio, and 87 octane pre-ignites
Its also a double whammy because the carbon WILL get hot spots which can pre-ignite air/fuel mix
91 octane should have fuel additives to clean the fuel system, but I would add a can of Seafoam to the tank(read instructions) which is also made to loosen carbon build up
After adding it then after a day of regular driving take to the highway and drive as fast as is legal, OD OFF, or in 4th for 20-30min, so higher RPMs, 3,500-4,000
Do this a few times over the next few days for this one tank of gas
Then try a tank of 87 octane again
If its better then plan on adding a can of Seafoam twice a year to keep it cleaner, way cheaper than running 91 octane, lol
There are ways to directly clean out the carbon by adding a cleaner directly to the intake with engine running, but.........................
If done wrong you WILL bend a rod or break a piston
Shops can do it and since they do it all the time is pretty safe for them
So its most likely carbon build up in the cylinders, the black residue, that's causing the pinging/knocking
Compression ratio(CR) determines what Octane fuel you can use "as is"
9.3:1 ratio is about the limit for 87 octane fuel, and that's the ratio for the 3.0l engine
CR is the difference in area(volume) when piston is down all the way and when its up all the way, CR is the pressure in the head cavity when piston is up all the way
If there is carbon build up inside the cylinder, in the head cavity and the piston's top then it causes less volume so higher compression ratio, and 87 octane pre-ignites
Its also a double whammy because the carbon WILL get hot spots which can pre-ignite air/fuel mix
91 octane should have fuel additives to clean the fuel system, but I would add a can of Seafoam to the tank(read instructions) which is also made to loosen carbon build up
After adding it then after a day of regular driving take to the highway and drive as fast as is legal, OD OFF, or in 4th for 20-30min, so higher RPMs, 3,500-4,000
Do this a few times over the next few days for this one tank of gas
Then try a tank of 87 octane again
If its better then plan on adding a can of Seafoam twice a year to keep it cleaner, way cheaper than running 91 octane, lol
There are ways to directly clean out the carbon by adding a cleaner directly to the intake with engine running, but.........................
If done wrong you WILL bend a rod or break a piston
Shops can do it and since they do it all the time is pretty safe for them
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
