still clattering on cold start

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Ed Fenwick

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2008
Messages
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Location
Kea'au, HI
What engine do you have?
V6 engine
What year is your Sport Trac?
2002
What Generation is your Sport Trac?
1st Gen Owner
Well, I just had a Motorcraft rear timing chain tensioner put in. The clatter is just the same, (a split second on cold start). The mechanic assured me that he primed the thing before putting it in!
So now is there anything else other than lifters that require oil pressure that would clatter?
I have some Lucus oil stabilizer, it says that it will prevent dry starts. Shall I put 5 quarts of that in? Maybe just 1 but I am getting frustrated with this motor. Approaching $4500. so far.
thanks God bless Ed
 
Worn timing chain, or Broken plastic parts for the timing chains... Common problem.... you don't have a dry start issue.... you have a slack or broken parts issue... Changing tensioners will not fix it.
 
Thanks Tod, in August I had the chains and tensioner plus related stuff replaced. Someone suggested that since it was a NAPA tensioner it may have failed. Also, some folks don't think it necessary to prime the tensioner. So I made sure that this mechanic did prime the thing. The clatter is still there. Today I will have my ear under the hood and listen, but from inside the cab, the sound is the same as it always was.
 
ED, Get a mech- stethoscope or a piece of garden hose. listen up and down the valve covers.
If you have new chains and all the rest. It maybe a bad rocker or a lifter.
Just guessing.
Lord Bless..
 
Yea but the thing is if I drive 10 miles or more, it sounds quiet the next morning. Just like pumping up the oil pressure. otherwise, it clatters.
 
What oil filter do you run?
 
Motorcraft, Napa Gold, Wix premium, Mobile 1, no difference
 
Any one ever take the oil pan out to see if their is a failure?? Some people have had internal tensioners ( jack shaft) leak and cause this.
You could have plastic parts in the pan causing low oil issue too.
 
Thanks Todd, when the mechanic replaced the chain, guides et all, he saw that the oil pan had a lot of plastic which he cleaned out.
 
yes, But there may be damage again and parts in the pan, OR the pump was damaged. Just because there is new stuff doesn't mean it didn't fail.
 
^ Ditto Todd. We're going in circles here.
"NONE OF THIS WILL HELP IF YOU HAVE A BOTCHED TIMING CHAIN JOB OR THE NEW PARTS ARE FAILING."
https://www.sporttrac.org/threads/motocraft-oil-filter.122412/#post-1037706

"Ed, BEFORE installing a pre oiler you must diagnose your intermittent oil pressure problem. Praying you won't find plastic tensioner guide bits clogging the oil pick up tube and passages, but that's what it sounds like. If you're RWD it's pretty easy to drop the pan. 4WD is a little more involved because of frame clearance issues. Good luck, we're hoping the best for you."
https://www.sporttrac.org/threads/motocraft-oil-filter.122412/#post-1037715

 
yes, But there may be damage again and parts in the pan, OR the pump was damaged. Just because there is new stuff doesn't mean it didn't fail.
Oh Todd, I really hope not. I don't want to go through this again. The Ford is not worth selling my house. Is it easy to get the pan off? Ed
 
Is it easy to get the pan off? Ed
Yes if you are 4x2. The bottm pan is just a flat peice of metal. The upper aluminum part is mainly a girdle and windage tray.
If you drop the flat steel portion. You should be able to check for trash...
 
Can also replace the pump if the pan is clean and check the oil passages for debris
 
Can also replace the pump if the pan is clean and check the oil passages for debris
Todd, I thought about the pump, that may be why it takes 5 seconds to get up to pressure during cranking. How big a job is that? THK Ed
 
There are a lot of internal things can cause low pressure starts...... I have not done a pump on the 4.0 but I don't think its hard if you can get the pan off.
 

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