Noisy 4 L on 98 Ranger
 

I have a 98 4L Ranger that has always been noisy as far as I can remember. It sounds like valves, but I can't tell. I'm pretty sure this is the same engine that my explorer had when the 1st one came out. I never had noise on that engine. Can you adjust the valves? Does the 4 L have a problem with noisy valves. When I rev up the engine, it doesn't get louder. It seems to run quiet at anything above idle speed. I haven't had any problems other than the noise at idle. Is it valve job time at 62000 mi.? Thanks!

RE: Noisy 4 L on 98 Ranger
 

sometimes they just get gummed up and they make noise. maybe you can have someone just get in there and clean them out. otherwise i think its time for a valve job. my mom had a brand new taurus and the trans went out with 63 miles on it. sometimes cars and trucks just have issues.

RE: Noisy 4 L on 98 Ranger
 

Hold the phone here. I doubt very highly that you need a valve job unless you're dropping a cylinder at idle. A burnt valve will rarely make a noise, just cause low compression. If you have lifter tick, that's quite another issue, then you need a cam/lifters and possibly new rocker arms and shafts, but not likely a valve job. Is the noise a tick or a rattle? Better or worse when warm? Louder with your head under the hood, or near the oil pan?

RE: Noisy 4 L on 98 Ranger
 

It starts off quiet and gets loud when warm. It doesn't sound like a ticking of one thing. It sounds like a clatter type sound. Does a catalyic converter make noise if it is bad? I heard another Ranger doing the same thing in a parking lot. I haven't noticed ay oil usage, but I will monitor that closely. I've got a sthethoscope that I'll try to determine the origin.