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1993 Ford Escort Making Noise - Engine
Question: Makes a ticking noise coming from cylinders #3 and possibly #4, but only when engine has warmed up. Absolutely no noise when engine is cold. I replaced all 4 fuel injectors, replaced all 8 roller lifters, inspected rocker arms and moved them from original position to a new cylinder (eg.. rockers from #4 moved to #2 cylinder). Compression tests from cylinders are:
____#1 __#2 ___#3___#4
COLD 160 170 170 180
HOT 175 180 170 190
Engine often misses, sputters and jerks when engine has idled for a while and then driven. Once driving down the road, and the engine starts to cool down, it no longer sputters and misses, but still makes ticking noise. Rate of ticking seems to be related to the RPM of the engine.
After a lot of testing, inspection, and replacing parts, the engine STOPPED making the ticking noise for approximately 100 miles. Hot or cold, it didn't tick. Thinking it may have gone away, and it was possibly carbon build up, I Added some Chevron Techron Fuel system cleaner at 1/2 tank and filled the tank with 91 octane at a local gas station. I started the engine and within 30 seconds, the tick came back and continues ticking like it did before. I have also replaced the spark plugs, wires, pcv valve with no effect.
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Technican: Hi,
A common problem on the 1.9 engine is dropped valve seats. I have worked on several engines with this problem. Usually it is cylinder #4, sometimes #1, but could be any cylinder. Anyways, the valve seat comes loose from the head. As the valve closes, it strikes the seat making a tick. This can also cause an intermittent misfire on the affected cylinder. The repair method is to remove the head and have a machine shop rebuild it, fastening the valve seats in properly. If left unrepaired, eventually the valve seat will break, the engine will make a lot of noise as all compression is lost on that cylinder and the piston impressed pieces of valve seat into the aluminum head. This problem baffled me several times around until I become familiar with the symptoms.
Owner: After driving approx 230 miles, the ticking noise has stopped again. It has been about 50 miles, and 3 days of normal and hard driving, and no noise whatsoever. I had been wondering about bad gasoline, but that might be wishful thinking.. Why does the noise come and go.. I would think that if it was a dropped valve seat, it would either get progressively worse, or be a continuous noise that doesn't go away for a while. I am totally baffled.
Owner: After driving approx 230 miles, the ticking noise has stopped again. It has been about 50 miles, and 3 days of normal and hard driving, and no noise whatsoever. I had been wondering about bad gasoline, but that might be wishful thinking.. Why does the noise come and go.. I would think that if it was a dropped valve seat, it would either get progressively worse, or be a continuous noise that doesn't go away for a while. I am totally baffled."
Technican: hello,
bad gas will affect all cylinders, not one or two. a valve seat may become loose only when the conditons such as temperature, load...are all wrong. if it is not making noise, you can likely wait for a teardown. you have spent a pack of money, and replaced basically anything else it could be. keep driving it and the noise will be back.
sterlingfixer
Owner: I appreciate your honesty and helpfulness. I will drive the car untill the noise returns. just can't help but wonder if it's a fuel issue, but I agree with you... It doesn't make any sense..
If the noise returns, which I believe that it probably will, I'll be more than happy to send you payment. Thanks again..
If it wasn't such a pain in the butt to pull the head and have it fixed.. I wouldn't be procrastinating
Owner: I forgot to mention the "picky" nature of this engine. From the time I first purchased the car (at about 28, 000 miles) it REQUIRES 91 octane fuel.. anything less caused pre-ignition(?) damaging the sparkplugs...
Like I said, I have little doubt that you are correct, but I can be a little optimistic :)
Technican: if you were able to have the engine idle long enough to hear which cylinder is making noise, then it is more than a fuel issue. i cannot guarantee it is a valve seat, but from my experience, the symptoms match quite well. optimistically, i hope it runs for years without any damage or noise.
sterlingfixer
Owner: Update:
Just drove the car almost 300 miles with no ticking noise or any problems. It ran perfect. Did some errands around town, and stopped at the Gas station to fill up. Within 15 seconds of filling up the car, it STARTED TICKING AGAIN!!! This cannot be coincidence. This is the second time (possibly 3rd time) after refueling the car, that the ticking noise started. Very STRANGE.. What would refueling the car have changed???
Owner: Made the ticking noise for only about 35 miles, and now I have 135 miles and no ticking... It does occasionally start a slight ticking noise, but only under a acceleration or load condition. For the most part, NO Ticking noise as of now.. Could it be a weak (failing) fuel pump?
Technican: Check the fuel pressure to determine the performance of the pump. Check pressure when the car is running fine and again after a fill-up (when problem is present).
The ticking may be spark knock (pre ignition, etc). Especially considering you have to use 91 ocatane gas. This occurs when combustion temperatures get to hot and is most prevalent on acceleration or an uphill climb. The problem is caused by carbon build up in the cylinders, insufficient egr flow, or lean fuel mixture (which can caused by numerous problems).
Owner: Checked fuel pressure when the car was running normally and when it was missing and sputtering. Fuel pressure was normal under both conditions... So, I am left with either a problem in the head, or a sensor issue.. Unfortunately, the problem comes and goes often enough, I find it hard to believe that it's a valve seat, but I might be wrong..It just seems to me that something would have shelled out by now (driven car about 1000 miles since the noise started)
Owner: STERLINGFIXER YOU WERE RIGHT.. I JUST LOST A VVE SEAT AND IN TURN, IT TOOK OUT THE SPARKPLUG CENTER ELECTRODE. THE ELECTRODE BROKE AND DROPPED INTO THE CYLINDER. THEN IT PUNCHED A HOLE IN THE PISTON.. I ONLY WISHED I LOOKED SOONER.. PLEASE REPLY SO I CAN PAY YOU.. THANKS
Technican: Hello, I see you are wanting to ensure that sterlingfixer gets paid for his work. Since he has not picked up on your last message I recommend you write to, Site Administrator at .com and express your desire to pay sterlingfixer. Mark will be glad to honor your request and sterlingfixer will receive a well deserved compensation for his efforts to help you.
Mark will investigate that I have replied to you and remove your question from my screen so the payment will go to sterlingfixer. I decline any payment and I ask nothing of you or for my suggestion.
Technican: Sorry we had to find out the painful way, but your symptoms were certainly intermittent.
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