Questions and Answers

Explorer Making Diesel Noise Q. Vincent how are you? I have a 1998 Ford Explorer XLT with approx 66,000 miles. It's a V-8 5.0 liter automatic transmission and 2wd. My check engine light had been going on and off intermittently and I was told by the dealer that it was just a malfunction in a sensor and that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle.

I was told this when I had a major tuneup on 12/03/01 at approximately 58,000 miles.

On 07/03/02 I was traveling to Mammoth,Ca. When I was going up a highway incline at approximately 70 mph the check engine light, which was lit, began flashing after the engine down shifted and I then heard a rapid tapping/clicking noise. I slowed down and pulled over.

The tapping noise continued (at a slower rate) and there was also a loud almost diesel engine sound. I began to drive home keeping it under 60 mph and noticed the vehicle ran fine. It shifted properly, no hesitation on acceleration, and good oil pressure. I only noticed a slight missing at idle and the loud noises (tapping and diesel sound).

What are the possible problems and is there something the dealer should have noticed when the major tuneup was done. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you much,
Rob

A. That was pretty irresponsible of the dealer to tell you the Check Engine Light (MIL) was noting to worry about. If something did happen and lights the MIL, you would ignore it. For whatever reason the MIL was coming on for, it should have been fixed. Maybe they should have replaced the malfunctioning sensor.

Anyway, if your engine is making a diesel like sound, and I drive a diesel, then you have problems. Something in the bottom end has gone bad. At this point I would drop the oil pan and look at the connecting rod bearings. It is probably there the noise is coming from.

If this is indeed the problem, then if the vehicle didn't make the noise at the dealership, there would be no reason for them to check into it.

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