Clacking Sounds from ?

BB_Disco

Active member
Apr 26, 2021
25
0
Phoenix, AZ
I'm getting a clacking sound that I cannot pinpoint. The specific sound was not there prior to repairing a host of items so wondering if any of you would have any idea of where to start looking before I start tearing stuff back apart.

Long story short when putting everything back together after fixing some things I pinched the Knock Sensor wire behind the PS bracket. Did my research on the fix and went to the junkyard and pulled an entire harness from an '04. Removed the KS wire and connector from the harness and replaced the entire thing. Still getting Pending Code P0327 on the ultra gauge but haven't tried to clear the code yet. Sometimes it sounds like it's coming from the passenger side valve cover but when I'm under the car it sounds more like it's coming from the bottom of the engine. I can't pinpoint it and it doesn't sound like it's an external vibration, like something is loose. I've included a link to a video of the engine idling where you can hear it. Thinking next steps are to replace the knock sensor itself but don't want to throw parts at it if it's something else.

 
Last edited:

BB_Disco

Active member
Apr 26, 2021
25
0
Phoenix, AZ
6 qts is plenty. Did the noise start after the oil change?
Yes, also after a number of other fixes. Some of them may be unrelated to the noise but for context, I'll run the list.
  • Valve Cover Gaskets - I'm sure the crush rings were all accounted for on the old and new gaskets before tightening them down.
  • Upper and Lower intake gaskets
  • O2 Sensors
  • 180 Thermo, Water Pump, Fan Clutch, Belt, Air Filter
  • Plugs (NGK Iridium IX) and Wires (Magenecor 8mm)
  • PCV Mod
  • Throttle Body Heater Plate
  • Various Coolant Hoses + Reservoir
  • Transmission Fluid Filter + Refill
  • Oil + Filter Change
  • Knock Sensor Wire Replacement - After I crushed the original
Currently have three amigos P0159 and P0327 (Assuming from crushing the original wire, I haven't tried to clear it since replacing the wire).
I do run an UltraGauge and have a Foxwell so I guess I could try to clear those codes and see if that makes any difference but I feel like the truck should running like a champ after all that. Could it be bad gaps on the plugs or a plug specifically? It's only coming from the passenger side of the engine from what I can tell.
 

BB_Disco

Active member
Apr 26, 2021
25
0
Phoenix, AZ
So checked VC and gaskets are good from what I can tell without taking the entire thing back apart.

I took it for a drive around the block and when the engine gets to around 2k RPM's the clacking goes away. Once the car drops back down under 2k the sound comes back.
 

Flyfish

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2004
1,402
212
52
St. Louis
5/40 or 15/40? Because you definitely don’t want to use 5. If you are, I’d bet it would stop tomorrow if you changed it to 15w40 rotella.
 

boxster

Well-known member
Jun 1, 2009
443
88
Fallbrook Ca.
Sounds like the rocker arms are worn out on the passenger side. Check oil pressure, however you say the noise wasn’t there before repairs. Use a stethoscope while engine running to isolate the tapping noise to a specific cylinder. You say when accelerating the noise goes away and returns at idle? Oil pump gears worn out? Curious to see what you find out!
 

BB_Disco

Active member
Apr 26, 2021
25
0
Phoenix, AZ
Sounds like the rocker arms are worn out on the passenger side. Check oil pressure, however you say the noise wasn’t there before repairs. Use a stethoscope while engine running to isolate the tapping noise to a specific cylinder. You say when accelerating the noise goes away and returns at idle? Oil pump gears worn out? Curious to see what you find out!
The noise is persistent at idle, even when I rev the engine to 2k+. When I'm driving it goes away. Weird to say the least. How would I check the Oil Pump gears or Oil Pressure?
 

BB_Disco

Active member
Apr 26, 2021
25
0
Phoenix, AZ
5/40 or 15/40? Because you definitely don’t want to use 5. If you are, I’d bet it would stop tomorrow if you changed it to 15w40 rotella.
It's 5/40. I'm going to switch it to 15/40 tomorrow and see if that makes a difference. Out of curiosity why do recommend 15 over 5? I'm in Phoenix if that makes any difference in regard to temps.
 

donniefitz2

Well-known member
Sep 15, 2020
138
56
Scottsdale, AZ
fitzventure.com
I'm not sure 15/40 is going to make a difference here. It sounds like a lifter or something on the top-end to me. So, it didn't make this noise before all the changes? BTW: I'm in Scottsdale. High heat native. I run 15/40 but again, not really going to make this go away. I think this is a deeper issue.
 

Flyfish

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2004
1,402
212
52
St. Louis
Obviously oil pressure always increases with rpm’s. You would have to put a gauge in to know the pressure.

I would never run 5w oil. I’ve used rotella 15/40 for 25 years on 5 different rovers.
 
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BB_Disco

Active member
Apr 26, 2021
25
0
Phoenix, AZ
I'm not sure 15/40 is going to make a difference here. It sounds like a lifter or something on the top-end to me. So, it didn't make this noise before all the changes? BTW: I'm in Scottsdale. High heat native. I run 15/40 but again, not really going to make this go away. I think this is a deeper issue.
Correct, no noise prior to all the "fixing". If it was making the noise before it definitely wasn't this audible. It doesn't sound a loud on the video as it is in person.

I'm in Gilbert now but work out of Scottsdale a few times a week.
Obviously oil pressure always increases with rpm’s. You would have to put a gauge in to know the pressure.

I would never run 5w oil. I’ve used rotella 15/40 for 25 years on 5 different rovers.
Sounds logical to put in a gauge. I'll look into that and am going to switch over to 15/40. Even if it doesn't help with the sound I'd like to run what's best for the engine.
 

boxster

Well-known member
Jun 1, 2009
443
88
Fallbrook Ca.
The noise is persistent at idle, even when I rev the engine to 2k+. When I'm driving it goes away. Weird to say the least. How would I check the Oil Pump gears or Oil Pressure?
You said it’s a 2004 does it have a gauge? If not you will need to plumb a pressure gauge to the oil filter housing pressure port out side. As to the oil pump gears you will need to remove the front cover housing this is where the gears are.