Hello all, first post here but have been reading for a while since I bought my Ranger a couple years ago. I have a 2004 2.3L manual with a 2-3 inch lift. Sometimes at stop lights I'll hear one loud TICK, then the engine stumbles for a second, then goes back to idling just fine. Sometimes the tick happens while driving, but since my foot is on the gas the engine doesn't really have a chance to stumble. It is very random in timing but will happen a couple of times every day. I work a lot and the car keeps driving so I never thought much of it, but I know I should so I am posting now. Does anyone know what this is? Is there something I should fix? Thanks!

Jared

 

Any idea? What would randomly make one loud tick while the engine is idling? Thank...

 

Possible sticking valve smacking back against the cam?

(yes I know, valve pushes against cam bucket, but you know what I mean)

 

Old thread, but I wanted to close it for future searches. I found out the issue is the AC compressor clutch randomly engaging and disengaging. I knew the click and stumble in idling rpm was a little too random to be valve tap. I'll start a new thread for the AC issue.