Engine Trouble (With Video)

[SantaCruz88]

[1988 4.0 renix] Recently I have had a nasty sound coming from what seems to be under my distributor. It sounds like there is a loose nut rattling around. It is consistent with rpms, and the sound is there 90% of the time. The distributor is only a year old, I pulled it out and checked the teeth on it and in the block, they looked fine. The motor has somewhere between 275,000 and 300, with no rebuild that i know of. There is also a small dent in my oil pan in that same area from my upper control arm hitting it, could this be interfering with something? I am going to pull the pan to see if I can visually see anything, but any advice would be appreciated. thanks...

 

 

 

 

 

[Keyav8r]

Valve lifters?

[Minuit]

Is your truck automatic? If so, I would look at the flexplate to torque converter bolts. FP-TQ bolt sounds usually aren't consistent with RPM but it's possible if they've gotten really bad. Long shot, but it's easier than replacing things. Have you poked around with a screwdriver or stethoscope? That should at least help you pinpoint it a bit more precisely. I doubt a dented oil pan would cause noise by itself.

 

Looking for engine parts in the oil is a good idea and what I would do in your case. That sounds really, really bad (and admittedly, rod knock-ish) but eliminate all of the less bad things before jumping to the worst possible conclusion.