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Ticking , starting trouble

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Old Feb 20, 2021
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Cascadetrucks's Avatar
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From: Cascade locks
Ticking , starting trouble

03 ford ranger 4.0 212k miles

I have two things going on with my truck that I'd appreciate opinions on because I'm getting different answers from mechanics.

Engine ticking : hearing a ticking only when idling . Interestingly the other day I changed my spark plugs and wires and accidentally switched two of the wires. When the engine was misfiring it no longer made the ticking noise. When I fixed the wires the ticking noise was back again . One mechanic said the timing chain is going out, another said its the rocker arms and not really an issue.

Starting : im sometimes having to crank two or three times to start the truck. How do I know if its a fuel thing or the starter ?
 
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Old Feb 20, 2021
  #2  
DILLARD000's Avatar
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Originally Posted by Cascadetrucks
...03 ford ranger 4.0 212k miles
...ticking only when idling
...changed my spark plugs and wires and accidentally switched two of the wires.
...engine was misfiring it no longer made the ticking noise. When I fixed the wires the ticking noise was back
...mechanic said the timing chain is going out, another said its the rocker arms and not really an issue.
...sometimes having to crank two or three times to start
...How do I know if its a fuel thing or the starter?
Did it tick before any recent Plug\Wire\CoilPack or other work?
Which 2 PlugWires did you switch?
What Make+Model of Plugs+Wires?
Could have a new+bad Plug or Wire or CoilPack?
Did you Clean+OhmCheck the CoilPack?
Have 2 OilPressurized TimingTensioners been replaced new in last 75kMiles?
Oil weight & last change?
Any CheckEngineLamp or OBD2 TroubleCodes?
Before next ColdStart, open PCV Tube from RightValveCover into IntakeAirAccordian
& spray a little StarterFluid into IntakeAirAccordian & reconnect Tube;
if it starts 1st try, then Ignition is likely OK; may be fuel issue.
For good measure, I'd remove+clean+reinstall AIrFilter, MAFSensor, PCVValve, ThrottleBody, IACValve, EGRValve+Tube, DPFESensorTubes,...
after cleaning each, test drive & see what difference that makes in Starting\Idling\Running.
Good luck.

More info at
https://2001fordexplorersporttrac.fa...Wires+CoilPack
 

Last edited by DILLARD000; Feb 20, 2021 at 03:49 AM.
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Old Feb 20, 2021
  #3  
Cascadetrucks's Avatar
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From: Cascade locks
Originally Posted by DILLARD000
Did it tick before any recent Plug\Wire\CoilPack or other work?
Which 2 PlugWires did you switch?
What Make+Model of Plugs+Wires?
Could have a new+bad Plug or Wire or CoilPack?
Did you Clean+OhmCheck the CoilPack?
Have 2 OilPressurized TimingTensioners been replaced new in last 75kMiles?
Oil weight & last change?
Any CheckEngineLamp or OBD2 TroubleCodes?
Before next ColdStart, open PCV Tube from RightValveCover into IntakeAirAccordian
& spray a little StarterFluid into IntakeAirAccordian & reconnect Tube;
if it starts 1st try, then Ignition is likely OK; may be fuel issue.
For good measure, I'd remove+clean+reinstall AIrFilter, MAFSensor, PCVValve, ThrottleBody, IACValve, EGRValve+Tube, DPFESensorTubes,...
after cleaning each, test drive & see what difference that makes in Starting\Idling\Running.
Good luck.

More info at
https://2001fordexplorersporttrac.fa...Wires+CoilPack
Hello, the ticking was happening before the spark plug change so its not related to that . Oil change done recently 5w30. I dont know the maintenance history. I will try some of that, thanks
 
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