Hey everyone I've got an issue with my 2000 4.0 OHV ranger with 76,000 miles on it that is otherwise in perfect shape minus a few interior panel creaks . Its got this pinging noise that comes from it mostly while idling.

I originally thought it was the infamous "marbling" problem that 4.0 OHVs had do to push rod tolerances. This all started about 7,500 miles ago so its been through two oil changes since(serviced every 3,000). Recently I have noticed it does it mostly when my truck is in drive at idling or at a near idle(in park it rarely does it). I can hear it in my truck at stoplights and the noise speeds up as i start to accelerate at a slow speed then stops.

I did some investigation today still thinking it was coming from the engine only to find out its coming from underneath in the general back of engine/trani area/under front of cab.
here are some picts:



*Update* here is a video of the noise:


Anyone have any ideas on what it could be? how to fix it?

 

It is really hard to hear...
It kind of sounds like the marbling but it is really hard to tell over all that noise.

 

exhaust leaks?

 

Updated my first post with a better video further from the truck so it doesnt have so much background noise even though its now dark out

here it is again(for those that missed it the first time):

 

Stuck lifter? Sounds like my track ***** before I redid the top end. I put my money on a stuck lifter...

How many miles you got on the thing? What kind of oil do you use, and filter? Have you ever used engine flush before an oil change?

 

Got slightly over 67,000 on it now. As for oil its the stock Motorcraft 5W30 oil and motorcraft filters since I've been getting it routinely serviced at our local ford dealership service department every 3,000 miles. I'm not sure if they flush before changing the oil.

the noise only does it in Drive or Reverse which makes it kind of hard to figure out exactly where its coming from. Its also in the lower rpm range up to 1500 rpms. I'm afraid to get under the truck with it in gear without a friend to help make sure the truck doesn't suddenly start rolling(dont trust the wood 4x4 as wheel block i have) while I'm under it. That would not be good

 

only in drive and reverse? hmm.. now that throws a wrench into my theory.

 

just a shot in the dark...but something with the torque converter?

 

Mine does the same thing heres a vid I took about 2 weeks ago. I only notice it in park though.

Ya I've always wanted to know what that is exactly. I'm getting my transmission rebuilt over the winter so I'll let you know if its the torque converter when I get it replaced.

 

Loose converter bolts? Hmm... I would think it would only rattle in neutral with no load, as soon as you toss a load on they would cinch up tight...

Good thinking tho..

 

Chock the Tires put the ebrake on tight and stick it in drive and listen underneath try to see what part it comes from... Use a long screw driver place it on a surface and stick it to your ear the louder the noise the closer you are to the noise.. use it to narrow down what it could be...
I was thinkin Torque Converter as well.

 

hrm it sounds very similar if not the same problem. It seems ticking is common on our OHVs too from all the searching i have done so far.

I was able to get under my truck before the rain hit today with a large screw driver and started poking around having a listen. So far I still haven't been able to pinpoint it. I had it on the oil pan/exhaust(part that comes from engine to catalitic converter), catalitic converter, and crankshaft area and couldn't hear anything. Its almost as its coming from under the cab but on the top of the crankshaft under the transmission tunnel? I'm wondering if that might point to the torque converter more so.

Its just strange that mine only does under 1500rpms in drive or reverse only. Neutral and Park it goes away.

Unfortunately I probably wont be able to get back under there for a few days to poke around some more as its supposed to rain 4+" here and no garage :/