Sounds like marbles in motor when I accelerate

[South0]

Same noise ended up being my timing belt tensioner.

[wayman]

Hi, I have a 1998 Rodeo with the same noise coming from the engine. It's pretty loud, like someone tapping a pan with a wooden spoon. RPM is good and steady, Temp looks good, and the performance is just like the day before - just fine it seems. The noise appeared just after getting stuck in a snow bank in a nearly 30-degree incline (nose up). What is worse, is that the noise doesn't always stick around. Sometimes, it will knock while in idle and sometimes it knocks the whole time. It's also very loud. Do any of you think this could be the tensionor?

[amigo-2k]

Yup, it could be the timeing belt tensor. But I would switch out the S-belt tensor first, it is a bit more cost effective. But when you change out the T-Belt make dang sure you replace the tensor too.

I have add engine PINGing on and off for the last 3 years. I have not yanked the plugs yet (45K), But i'm guessing that when I do I'll find some champion plugs in it. NGK or denso will be replaced this fall.

-Ryan

[mightymavkev]

I just got my 98 last week. I thought I read elsewhere that 98 and up didn't have the T-Belt tensioner anymore because of all the problems with it?

Can someone clarify? Mine has 72K and according to the service manual I should be considering a T-Belt change soon anyway.

I was just wondering about the tensioner thing on the 98's and up.

[amigo-2k]

Yes you have the timing belt tensor.

Call the folks at www.stcharlesauto.com for the cheapest parts and free shipping for a quote.

[Roger Macro]

Good evening gentlemen; I've just joined this Forum and would like to contribute with a little extra information that may help to further understand the matter at hand. I myself am learning more from your comments and felt inspired to look for some info to contribute to this thread. I would like to seize the opportunity to ask anyone who is knowledgeable on Fords for the location of the knock sensor on a 94' Escort if it has one at all?, I read somewhere that some Fords do not have one, so if someone knows the answer I'd apreciate your reply.

Thank you in advance and Here's something that fully explains the causes and solutions for engine knock...

http://zhome.com/ZCMnL/PICS/detonation/detonation.html

Here is a detailed description on knock sensors which can be the cause for knocking if not in good condition.
http://www.grubinski.com/grubinski/38.pdf

[danforth45]

About spark plugs....They can really affect the performance of your engine if you don't use the right plug. I used BOSCHE plugs one time in my old turbo eagle talon and it ran like crap. I replaced them with NGK and it ran awesome. I imagine the heat generated was too much for the plugs. ...hope this helps

[krimes13]

There's a lot of talk concerning timing belt tensioners on Rodeos. Is everyone talking
about the pushrod tensioner or the tensioner bearing and bracket assembly? Thanks for the
clarification!