'98 Explorer sounds like rattling under valve covers

[equalizer54]

I'm not a mechanic and I need some help, it sounds like the rattling is coming from the valve cover and I'm wondering if it's hard to fix? It goes away after the engine gets warm enough PLEASE HELP

[WENDYR]

Hi, I Have The Same Problem With My Explorer. It Just Starterd Yesterday. Does Anyone Know What It Is And How To Fix It?

[Jammer2523]

it could be that your rocker arms have worn loose and need tightening...with no oil they will clatter...once lubed the clatter goes away. just like a squeak on a door....Id investigate that option.

[lokk6669]

Change the oil and filter..while yer doing the oil change you might wanna pull off the oil pan and check it for any thing that could be blocking oil paths.... ALOT of ppl have been telling me that the FRAM oil filters start to come apart and cardbord type shit makes its way into the pan.... Keeping the oil from reaching the Rockers until oil pressure has built up ...i.e. engine "warmed up".... had problem like this with my 95 tbird

[BlitzKeg]

if its a click click rattle.

its prolly the hydraulic lifters...ford's are known to make noise after there ran about 100,000 miles.....

lifters have tiny springs and must fill with oil in order to put up with ware...

but just like any spring that is compressed and depressed every revolution of the engine. they ware out and make noise....

sometimes not changing your oil or contaminated oil will clog up a lifter resulting in noise mostly heard during idle..

but once your oil gets warm and thins out and it can squeeze in tight places....therfore improving the operation of your lifter.

just a suggestion... but theres to many variables with "rattling". but gl .

[z3rgling]

This sounds like a very common problem that most explorers 97-2000 have. It is more than likely that timing chain tensioner. This was a recall that you qualify for if you have less than 100k miles. If you have a 98 that involves a new tensioner, oil flow limter, and changing the timing chain guides (they were made of nylon.. replacements are metal). Make shure you get this taken care of a will cause serious issues later on. It is a pretty big job to replace but can cause timing chain to evenuatlly slip and bending your valves or putting a hole through a piston with one (zero clearance motor). Check on the ford web site for details.

I have a 99 and the recall was good only for up to 75k miles due to it only being the tensioner that needs to be replaced for that model year.