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!

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.