My 2001 2.5 L Ford Ranger 5 spd manual with 143,000 miles is having a serious problem. It's idling very rough (~500 rpm) and putters but never dies, it seems okay at higher rpms but only under no load, in neutral. Once I put in in gear and drive there is a very loud metal on metal knocking/hammering sound! I mean loud!
Not really sure what this is?? This is my second ranger and I have never heard a sound like this before. It is coming from the engine and not from a loose exhuast part, the noise seems to be in sync with aceleration. No codes thrown, no vacuum leaks, no air flow problems, juice flowing to plugs. Any ideas??

 

sounds like your motor might be getting ready to introduce a rod to the outside world

 

So a does that mean a complete valve job with new all new pushrods is in order? Or just that one valve/pushrod could be fixed?

 

yes sir

 

Not what I wanted to hear, but thank you for the help. That type of fix is beyond me, time to take her to the local mechanic and see what he can do. Thanks

 

Unless you keep driving it and let the rod meet the outside world