Hey everyone, I'm new here, so if I posted this in the wrong area, let me know and I'll post it elsewhere. With that being said, about a week ago, I started to hear a ticking noise when my engine was under load, but not at idle (not unlike pinging). I discovered today that this thing, that is on the side of my intake manifold, had seemingly blown up and was making a rough ticking noise under any throttle, even in park. Attached are pictures before it blew up and after, with it's location circled in the before photo. So my question is, what is it and why did it blow up like this? Also, do I need to replace the grey plug next to it as well? I have a 1998 Ranger with the 4.0 OHV V6. Feel free to ask me any questions if you need more information.

 

That would be the DPFE sensor. No clue why it failed on you though. Usually throws a code when it's bad.

 

Thanks, I appreciate it. I haven't had a code thrown for that, only a vacuum leak (at the other side of the intake manifold) and a faulty MAF sensor, which likely needs to only be cleaned.

 

these may help some

 

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, as said that would be the Differential feedback(DPFE) sensor.
Its two hoses run to the exhaust system.

One hose is close to EGR(exhaust gas recirculation) Valve
The other is farther away
When computer opens the EGR Valve the pressure difference between the two hoses tells computer how much exhaust is flowing into the intake manifold.

DPFE sensors usually don't "blow up" like that, cool picture

When you burn Fuel(Hydrocarbon) with Air(Oxygen) one of the byproducts is H2O, which is water, this is why exhaust systems rust from the inside out and why water can drip from tail pipe, thats normal.

What kills DPFE sensors is that water.
The DPFE sensor cools off faster than the exhaust manifold.
And like the water the collects on the outside of a cold glass of beer on a warm day the water vapor in the exhaust system collects/condenses on inside the cooler DPFE sensor.

There could have been enough water in that one hose and DPFE to flash to vapor on warmup, that caused the DPFE plastic to expand and burst.
The "tick" noise is because that now open ended hose is an exhaust leak, so sounded like an exhaust leak, "tick, tick, tick"

Wiring should be fine
But blow out the hoses.
Good idea to do that once a year

 

To add to the informative post above, You may want to check for a restricted exhaust.

My thinking is excessive back pressure and heat may cause a problem like this.

The ticking sound your hearing " Not at idle " could be indicative of a restricted exhaust system.

 

Thanks y'all, I really appreciate all of the help and input! I'll check for exhaust restrictions and be sure and clean out the hoses once a year. Thanks!