After our outing at Blyton Park over the weekend we have a ticking noise coming from our 2.3 duratec.

Idle is fine and no-load revs are fine, but blip the throttle (so minor load as the revs pick up) and you get a quite loud ticking noise. I 'think' this ticking is evident when loaded during driving - although since discovering the car has barely been moved as we dont want to cause further damage.

Anyone got any suggestions? A quick google turned up a few comments about the aux belt tensioner but given the few miles that the tensioner has done I'd be surprised if its that (would be a nice easy fix, but i think its wishful thinking).

I'm worried its a big end. Oil pressure seems reasonable though. Out on track it never dropped below 30psi and was mostly up at 45ish with hot (100-105deg) oil. Even when I came off the last session at over 100deg oil temp it was still showing 10psi at the point I noticed the noise.

Engine is a standard 2.3 with the only upgrades being ARP big end bolts (should've done the bearings too I know).

Shame as the car was performing fantastically all day.

Hi Dan

I've just bought a new unfitted tensioner - you're welcome to borrow it to eliminate it from your enquiries if you like.

I've not set or loaded it yet, and haven't read up how.

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Originally posted by FuryRebuild
Hi Dan

I've just bought a new unfitted tensioner - you're welcome to borrow it to eliminate it from your enquiries if you like.

I've not set or loaded it yet, and haven't read up how.

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My ford alternator seems clicky anyway - It came with the engine, so I don't know if it's in a good condition or not.

Again, you're welcome to borrow it for a reference.

Possibilities are;
Ignition to advanced
Slight leak at exhaust manifold, these sound very much like det or valve chatter.

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Originally posted by FASTdan

I'm worried its a big end. Oil pressure seems reasonable though. Out on track it never dropped below 30psi and was mostly up at 45ish with hot (100-105deg) oil. Even when I came off the last session at over 100deg oil temp it was still showing 10psi at the point I noticed the noise.

Hi, big ends definately don't tick, more like a clonk, and small ends sound tappie. Oil pressure seems a bit low, IMHO, but then I am used to my V6 running around the 60 to 70 mark, even when being beaten with a big stick, HTH Ray

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Mark Allanson - 18/6/12 at 04:02 PM

Can you listen to another one, my pinto ticks in similar fashion, but it is healthy injectors - in its original location you wouldn't hear it due to soundproofing.

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FASTdan - 19/6/12 at 09:01 AM

Thanks for the replies.

Something I wasn't aware of until yesterday is that the 2.3 suffers from cam chain tensioner failures at high RPM (backlash on downshifts hammers the tensioner due to a longer free length in the chain). Having had the rocker cover off there is at least 10mm up and down play in the chain between the cams so we suspect that the tensioner has failed.

I believe raceline do an uprated tensioner unit so I will be calling them later to discuss....

Fingers crossed thats the problem, bit of a ballache - as it might aswell be engine out to lock the crank to remove the front pulley/cover iirc, but at least not terminal.

[Edited on 19/6/12 by FASTdan]

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FuryRebuild - 19/6/12 at 09:03 AM

I'd say ... luck escape.

The last thing you'd want is it skipping a tooth - could be terminal.

If you want a hand for half a day or so when you're doing it, let me know. I've not set the head up on a duratec so would be willing to trade heavy lifting for watching

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