95 LX Engine Noise

[dlbdata]

95 Escort LX, 1.9L, 86,000 miles. About a week ago started making a tapping sound, that sounds like it is coming from under the valve cover, possibly in the area of #4 cylinder. The tapping speed increases in direct relation to the engine speed. You can really only hear it when you are idling or driving slow with the windows down. The tapping typically makes noise for 10 seconds or so then it stops for a couple seconds, then starts again. It sort of has a slight "chirpy" sound to it.

I took the spark plugs out, they all looked normal. Also changed the oil/filter, and put a quart of Rislone in. No change so far.

I have a compression tester that I am going to try today. Any thoughts on what might be causing this or troubleshooting suggestions? I want to try to figure it out before something goes bang!

Thanks!

[AzTumbleweed]

This might not have anything to do with it but it's worth looking in to. I had a chirping sound too. Twice, in fact. First it was the drive belt tensioner. The bearing were going bad. Then it was an idler pully. The idler and the tensioner are the same if I remember right. The only difference was one has a tensioner and the idler doesn't. The parts store had them in stock so I'd guess this is a comon problem with Ford. The way I confirmed the problem was by squirting a little WD-40 at the bearing on the pulleys. The sound would go away. Another sure-fire test is to remove the belt and start the engine and see if your sound is gone.

Also might mean your engine is still breaking in!

[dlbdata]

Originally Posted by AzTumbleweed

This might not have anything to do with it but it's worth looking in to. I had a chirping sound too. Twice, in fact. First it was the drive belt tensioner. The bearing were going bad. Then it was an idler pully. The idler and the tensioner are the same if I remember right. The only difference was one has a tensioner and the idler doesn't. The parts store had them in stock so I'd guess this is a comon problem with Ford. The way I confirmed the problem was by squirting a little WD-40 at the bearing on the pulleys. The sound would go away. Another sure-fire test is to remove the belt and start the engine and see if your sound is gone.

Also might mean your engine is still breaking in!

Thanks for the suggestion, but it sounds like the noise is actually coming from the other end of the engine. It sounds like it is coming from either under the valve cover or intake area around #4 cylinder. A tapping sound that sometimes has a bit of a squeak/chirp to it.

The engine has been great until this noise started last week. Even since the noise started it is still getting greaat mileage 39-40mpg, and there doesn't appear to be any loss of power. But the noise has me worried. I was thinking maybe it is a valve lifter.

I was also wondering if it is possible to run the engine with the valve cover off, without spraying oil all over the place?

[Arnoldtheskier]

I'ldunno about this particular engine BUT..those that are serious/always tinkerring with one or a few particular engines.. hit the bone.. and grab a valve cover and cut it out so that they can really see,hear what's happenin'..and the engine CAN be run with this cover on..and you and the engine,car,floor EVERYTHING in the area doesn't get rust proofed..OIL SPRAYED..

[dlbdata]

How big a job is it to replace the lifters on the 1.9L engine?

[Myescortsucks]

Yeah Its Time To Change The Oil U Fag Good Job Escorts Suck Anyways They Dont Need Oil To Run

[escort357]

Originally Posted by Myescortsucks

Yeah Its Time To Change The Oil U Fag Good Job Escorts Suck Anyways They Dont Need Oil To Run

Hatin' on Escorts? Not cool, buddy. I wouldn't trade my Escort for an Enzo. If you would have read the first post, you would've noticed the oil was changed. And the only engine that even comes close to running decent without oil is an old Mopar slant-six.

[dlbdata]

Originally Posted by dlbdata

95 Escort LX, 1.9L, 86,000 miles. About a week ago started making a tapping sound, that sounds like it is coming from under the valve cover, possibly in the area of #4 cylinder. The tapping speed increases in direct relation to the engine speed. You can really only hear it when you are idling or driving slow with the windows down. The tapping typically makes noise for 10 seconds or so then it stops for a couple seconds, then starts again. It sort of has a slight "chirpy" sound to it.

I took the spark plugs out, they all looked normal. Also changed the oil/filter, and put a quart of Rislone in. No change so far.

I have a compression tester that I am going to try today. Any thoughts on what might be causing this or troubleshooting suggestions? I want to try to figure it out before something goes bang!

Thanks!

Problem solved. I did check the compression in all cylinders, it was 190psi, which is normal. That seemed to rule out broken valve seats, etc. So, I took the lifters out and checked them, which is a very easy job on a 95 1.9L. The roller on #4 exhaust lifter felt rough, did not spin smooth like the others. So I switched it with #1 (far end), and sure enough the noise source now seemed to come from around #1. The noise was getting worse fast, and the engine idle was even starting to stumble a bit..... Ordered a new lifter from Advance Auto for $25, dropped it in, and engine runs/sounds great again. When I took the old lifter out it had already developed a flat spot on the roller.
Now I'm hoping this lifter was defective, and that the other lifters aren't going to follow. Car only has 87k miles on it.

[CheapRudy]

Originally Posted by escort357

And the only engine that even comes close to running decent without oil is an old Mopar slant-six.

Ahhh yes, the great 225. Carried me many a mile.