Loud {{Clicking}} from Front of Engine

4046 Views 35 Replies 12 Participants Last post by cisco1984, 12 d ago

PebblePimp

Discussion Starter · Apr 18, 2019

I’m 4 hours away from home on a job (literally in the middle of a pasture) and I have to drive about 5 miles from the hotel to the rig. The X has been doing fine & running great; when, suddenly, a loud clicking began when I started it up to leave last night (very noticeable). I had to drive to town yesterday afternoon to use the hotel’s WiFi to download a few files too big for my phone’s hot spot & filled up the tank & drive back to the rig with no noise. I unsure if it’s the timing chain or an accessory pulley. I pulled off the intake tube to get a better view of the front of the engine & track down the noise. BUT, the X will not run for more than a few seconds before it dies.

How quickly can the timing chain tensioners fail & how loud is it when they do? The clicking varies by engine speed. Also, it seems to be running fine (apart from the noise). Any knowledge or ideas?

BTW, I was luck I found a 10mm socket in my tool bag.

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mtnbound

· #2 · Apr 18, 2019

So, you say

"BUT, the X will not run for more than a few seconds before it dies"

and then

"Also, it seems to be running fine (apart from the noise)."

so which one is it?

also did the noise appear and then disappear? timing chains wont just disappear once they starting singing.

could it have been something caught in the fan or somewhere?
any SES light on the dash? codes?

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PebblePimp

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 18, 2019

mtnbound said:
So, you say

"BUT, the X will not run for more than a few seconds before it dies"

and then

"Also, it seems to be running fine (apart from the noise)."

so which one is it?

also did the noise appear and then disappear? timing chains wont just disappear once they starting singing.

could it have been something caught in the fan or somewhere?
any SES light on the dash? codes?

It dies without the intake tube. It’s a constant clicking.

Nothing is in the fan. That was my first thought. Followed by a bad accessory pulley bearing. But, I can’t tell because the engine won’t run without the intake tube.

PebblePimp

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 18, 2019

I’ve had a constant SES light because of the faulty FLS.

mtnbound

· #5 · Apr 18, 2019

PebblePimp said:
I’ve had a constant SES light because of the faulty FLS.

Im guessing FLS= fuel level sensor?

I replaced that just for the fact that i wanted to know when the SES light went off from something else!

does the sound happen when stationary or only when driving?

Mar10

· #6 · Apr 18, 2019

Record the sound for us.

General_Tarfun

· #7 · Apr 19, 2019

If you have access to a long screwdriver where you are it can be used as a makeshift stethoscope. Put the tip around the timing chain covers or anywhere on the engine really and the handle to your ear and you should be able to narrow down where it's coming from.

The sound gets louder the closer you are to where it's coming from and softer the further you are away from it. I used that method when my timing chain guides wore through, there was no noise at idle I thought but once I used this method I could hear the scraping of the chain on metal pretty clearly right on the covers.

Reactions: 1

PebblePimp

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 19, 2019

The noise is coming from the engine bay. It occurs whenever it is running. Driving makes no difference.

I’ll see if I can get one uploaded before I leave for work.

I was thinking a stethoscope would great. I completely forgot about the screwdriver trick.

I’ve got my hand tools with me, but not my ratchets & sockets. Just a small 1/4” drive SAE set plus a random 10mm.

545

· #9 · Apr 19, 2019

How many miles on it? With an 05, you may be overdue for timing chain job if it hasn't been done. I got to 187k on mine, but I know it had good oil and regular changes it's whole life. Have you been ignoring any whining? If the main tensioner broke or the main chain stretched, you could get ticking, but that means it's VERY bad and you should not drive it

Find the source of the noise asap.

PebblePimp

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 19, 2019

It’s been quiet until the other night. It started suddenly at startup after sitting about 2-3 hours.

How loud does a bad timing chain sound? I can’t get the video to post from my phone out here with the horrible cell service. But, it is rhythmic that will increase & decrease with engine speed. I’m leaning towards a bad accessory pulley bearing, but I can’t tell for sure.

PebblePimp

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 19, 2019

I’ve got 182k in it & was planning on doing the timing chain this month, since I was supposed to be off until the end of May.

Brunnie

· #12 · Apr 19, 2019

Uh.... this may sound real dumb but.... Have you checked your oil level? Is it possible that a lifter or two is ticking?

General_Tarfun

· #13 · Apr 19, 2019

PebblePimp said:
It’s been quiet until the other night. It started suddenly at startup after sitting about 2-3 hours.

How loud does a bad timing chain sound? I can’t get the video to post from my phone out here with the horrible cell service. But, it is rhythmic that will increase & decrease with engine speed. I’m leaning towards a bad accessory pulley bearing, but I can’t tell for sure.

Easiest way to eliminate all the accessories at once is to remove the serpentine belt and start it up again. I forget the exact size of the notch in the belt tensioner that lets you remove tension but I think it's just a 1/2" or 3/8".

PebblePimp

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 19, 2019

Brunnie said:
Uh.... this may sound real dumb but.... Have you checked your oil level? Is it possible that a lifter or two is ticking?

Yes. ?? That was the first thing I checked. I checked it a few days before, too.

PebblePimp

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 19, 2019

General_Tarfun said:
Easiest way to eliminate all the accessories at once is to remove the serpentine belt and start it up again. I forget the exact size of the notch in the belt tensioner that lets you remove tension but I think it's just a 1/2" or 3/8".

It’s a 3/8”. Which I don’t have with me. The rig has 1/2” & larger.

PebblePimp

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 19, 2019

So, I finally found a video that has the same engine noise as mine. Nothing else was as loud as mine. It’s the timing chain tensioner.

Now, the big dilemma. I’m gonna 180 miles from home with a 5 mile commute every day for a couple more days. What do I do?
A) Drive it the whole time & pray it doesn’t blow up?
B) Drive it only the 10 miles a day to work?
C) Can’t think of any other thing to do at the moment.

PebblePimp

Discussion Starter · #17 · Apr 19, 2019

I was able to ******* engineer a “wrench” to get the belt off. Made no difference.

Mar10

· #18 · Apr 19, 2019

Park it and rent a car.

Reactions: 1

Longboardr

· #19 · Apr 19, 2019

I'd park it, rent a car if I had to and call AAA and see what they can do for you.

PebblePimp

Discussion Starter · #20 · Apr 19, 2019

Here’s another tidbit of info, my bank account was hacked & drained the day before after trying to buy a sixer at a convenience store earlier this week. I’ve got $100 bucks to last me until May. (Depending on how fast they fix the issue)

Like I said, I can’t think of any option C. >=\

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