I just bought a 98 Ranger 4x4 with a 4.0L ... The kid who sold it to me says the garage told him the tapping noise is from the idler for the serpentine belt... To me it sounds like a sticky lifter but louder . Sounds to fast to be a rod but is pretty loud at times. I was wondering if someone has a sound byte of the timing belt problem...?

 

Easiest way to verify would be to let the engine get cold, remove serpentine belt , and start engine, see if noise is still there.

Only run engine for no more than 2 minutes because your water pump isn't hooked up, you'll over heat the engine.

 

A shop will give you a quote for about $120 buck. My engine is shot...tick was a bad rod....need a new engine. But after all my own diagnostic for a tick, it was a damaged engine.

 

Yeah that's what I am thinking it is ... I guess i am saving for a motor now.