'94 ranger with 2.3 Ltr motor. 139,000 miles and I cannot vouch for any previous service.I'm hearing a ticking noise at idle. It's hard to determine where the noise is eminating from because I wear hearing aids. It seems loudest under the truck but it is also loud standing at the radiator & the hood is open. As the engine speed is increased it goes away.
Does anybody have any input here? The belt tensionor seems to be OK and the serpentine belt is in good shape.

 

First off I like your sig line! I always say Measure with a micrometer, mark with a crayon & cut with a torch!

As for the ticking noise you can use a long screw driver or any piece of thin metal as a stethoscope. I actually have a stethoscope with a piece of long brass rod on it that works really well. Do this and be very careful to not touch moving parts but just listen in different areas of the engine.

You could even remove the belt and start it up and let it run for just a minuet or two and if the ticking is gone it's some how pulley or accessory related. If ticking is still there then it's engine related.

 

Thanks for responding Rick. I have a stethoscope too. I’ve probed around a little with no definitive results. I will follow you’re advice & remove the serpentine belt Tom oof time permits. Got so many other irons in the fire I don’t know if I will have the time. I also want to check my compression & valve timing. This truck sure seems to be underpowered.

 

I had that issue as well on my '93. Problem was the spark plug wires wasn't all the way seated on the plug.