metallic clicking noise at idle

[serge_saati]

My Taurus 2002 makes an high pitched metallic clicking noise at idle. It happens only after running for 10 minutes and more. And only at idle, not at 1000 rpm and more.
The car has 86,000 miles.

The noise comes from the driver side of the engine (near the transmission). So I'm 100% sure it's not chain, belt, pulleys or pumps. But it's similar noise.

The car had vacuum leak before (mettalic colar of MAF untighten). This issue is fixed today.

Oil level is good and clean. Changed 2 months ago.

I take the car to my mechanic. He was not sure since he don't have good hearing and the noise was not lound when I was there. But he thinks it's the torque converter.


Here's the video of the noise: Taurus 2002 noise
You can also right click and save.

When I rev up, the noise disappears.

So, what can be the problem, engine or transaxle?

[pcmos]

I would take the car over to a Ford dealer to check it out. I say this because I know that the cam synchronizer is a common failure at higher milages on this engine. Typically I have heard of cam synchro problems occuring in the 130-170k range but maybe you are just lucky

The cam synchronizer is positioned exactly where you are hearing the noise. I'm assuming you have the OHV engine and not the DOHC, based on your profile info. If you take a look on the lower intake manifold on the far right side of the engine you will see a bulky black "cap". That cap is the top of the cam synchronizer assembly which also drives the oil pump assembly (I believe, I've never worked on this system before, only read about it).

You would probably do well by going to a ford dealership where the mechanics would be much more familiar with the typical failures of the 3.0 Vulcan engine. I doubt you would have a problem with the torque converter at this point in the life of the car, it could be a bad fuel injector though.

[serge_saati]

Yes, I think you're right, it sounds to be the cam shaft synchronyser. The sound comes from this area. I have the OHV 12V engine. Thanks for your help.

But I don't understand the bad fuel injector part. A bad injector can cause that?

[pcmos]

Yes, I've heard injectors start clicking like crazy when they go bad. There is a tight spring inside a fuel injector that holds the valve closed. When the computer commands the injector on, a solenoid pulls the valve open very quickly. The spring snaps the injector closed and you hear a normal clicking sound.

If something goes wrong with that mechanism internally you can end up with a really loud injector. Typically you would notice some performance issues though as the injector wouldn't be loading the cylinder with a proper fuel charge.

I'm currently working outside in the middle of an A/C compressor replacment job on the Taurus. Thankfully if your problem is the synchro it shouldn't be terribly difficult to fix. I had to replace a head gasket and head on my mother's Taurus not too long ago, it seems to be running really well now. She's got 145k on the engine and 3500 or so on the rebuild. With your milage you should have a ways to go before you have more trouble.

[serge_saati]

Yes... injectors can make hard clicking sound, I just remember that. Especially on big diesel engine.

But my noise looks like a rotary noise. Similar as a damaged hamster wheel but louder.
No loss of power since the problem. So I think it's probably the cam synchronizer.

[serge_saati]

I just take my car to the mechanic, they said the problem is the cam synchro's bearings, like you suggest.

It costs 424$ to replace it (including cam sensor). The synchro alone worths 315$.
They replace it right now.