Running really rough and making a ticking nosie.

PalmettoRunner

PalmettoRunner

New member
Hey guys searched around for a little while and couldn't really find anything very specific to what I am experiencing with my truck...

Earlier today I was running some errands and right when I pulled up in line at the bank my truck started running really rough. I thought at first I might be running out of gas as the light had been on for little while and I was on an incline. Well I get across the street to a gas station and fill up really quick, 16.3 gallons... not enough to be running out.

Needless to say when I start the truck back up it is still running like crap and now it is accompanied by a ticking noise... great! There are no lights and the ticking gets faster as RPM's increase.

Really nervous about driving it and I gotta work in the morning, any thoughts on what the problem might be?
 
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The first thing I would check is your oil level. I've seen cars lose their oil pan drain plug, due to improper installation.
 
Level seems fine, plug is still there. I was doing some more reading on the net and have found some people saying it could be a timing belt pulley but I'm probably just assuming the worst.
 
PalmettoRunner said:
Level seems fine, plug is still there. I was doing some more reading on the net and have found some people saying it could be a timing belt pulley but I'm probably just assuming the worst.
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How many miles do you have? Has the timing belt been done?

One thing to keep in mind these 3.4's are loud, mine ticks like a son of a gun.
 
Timing belt was done when I bought it at 162k, I'm wondering if they didn't install it right or something and its just now showing its ugly face.
 
Can you hear it at idle? Sounds like a bearing or pulley possibly, but that does not account for the rough running. Maybe an injector that is not throwing a CEL yet?
 
I did a few months back, one of them kept squeaking in cold temps. and they didn't look too bad since it has been warm haven't even noticed it.

Its just weird that it happened all of a sudden there was nothing I noticed leading up to it acting up like this nor was I doing anything outside of normal driving.

I thought at first it was something caught in the fan (if you can imagine what something hitting that would sound like it thats what it sounds like) and it definitely sounds like its towards the front of the motor.
 
ticking

I had a nissan that did the same thing; A fuel injector may need to be replaced. Apparently they tick when the go out. The engine also ran rough. I went to a junk yard & bought all six used ones for less than 1 new one & it worked great for years.
 
Well with any of these problems is it a bad idea to drive it? Really need to get to work today (good 11 mile drive) and don't know if there will even be a shop open today to get it looked at.
 
Well I made it to work and the check engine, trac off and vsc lights are on. Guess I'll try and limp to autozone when I get off.

Also ticking is no longer there and it seems to run pretty smooth at 2k rpms.
 
Wow, those were a lot of random guesses...

C'mon now guys. You hear a tick, accompanied with a rough running engine and you think belts and oil level!? :confused:

Anyways, a list of things off the top of my mind that could have a tick sound accompanied with rough running:

1) Vacuum leak
2) Loose spark plug
3) Exhaust leak (but not likely)
4) Faulty injector or coil
5) Burnt valve (not likely)

You need to grab your longest screw driver and use it as a stethoscope to find the location.

Yes, big thing here is to pull the code to see if its an A/F issue or misfire.
 
Baja Runner said:
Wow, those were a lot of random guesses...

C'mon now guys. You hear a tick, accompanied with a rough running engine and you think belts and oil level!? :confused:

Anyways, a list of things off the top of my mind that could have a tick sound accompanied with rough running:

1) Vacuum leak
2) Loose spark plug
3) Exhaust leak (but not likely)
4) Faulty injector or coil
5) Burnt valve (not likely)

You need to grab your longest screw driver and use it as a stethoscope to find the location.

Yes, big thing here is to pull the code to see if its an A/F issue or misfire.
Click to expand...

it could be his spare tire is lose...
 
Baja Runner said:
Wow, those were a lot of random guesses...

C'mon now guys. You hear a tick, accompanied with a rough running engine and you think belts and oil level!? :confused:

Anyways, a list of things off the top of my mind that could have a tick sound accompanied with rough running:

1) Vacuum leak
2) Loose spark plug
3) Exhaust leak (but not likely)
4) Faulty injector or coil
5) Burnt valve (not likely)

You need to grab your longest screw driver and use it as a stethoscope to find the location.

Yes, big thing here is to pull the code to see if its an A/F issue or misfire.
Click to expand...

Yes, ticking could be an exhaust leak. Rough running very likely could be a vacuum leak.

But the first thing I would check is that the engine hadn't suddenly and unexpectedly lost all the oil due to the drain plug coming out, filter coming off, etc.

Ticking in that case would be the valvetrain running with now insufficient oil, and the rough running the engine starting to seize.

I've seen and heard of it happening to customer cars that were brought in for repair, back in my days of working on consumer cars.

So yes, that would be the first thing I would check. Because the consequences of that being the problem, is far more serious than a vacuum leak, an exhaust leak, or a faulty injector or coil.
 
02SE said:
Yes, ticking could be an exhaust leak. Rough running very likely could be a vacuum leak.

But the first thing I would check is that the engine hadn't suddenly and unexpectedly lost all the oil due to the drain plug coming out, filter coming off, etc.

Ticking in that case would be the valvetrain running with now insufficient oil, and the rough running the engine starting to seize.

I've seen and heard of it happening to customer cars that were brought in for repair, back in my days of working on consumer cars.

So yes, that would be the first thing I would check. Because the consequences of that being the problem, is far more serious than a vacuum leak, an exhaust leak, or a faulty injector or coil.
Click to expand...

you would have dash lights coming on for that though, he had no dash lights, but i can fault your logic and thinking as far as checking the more serious matter first
 
the kid said:
you would have dash lights coming on for that though, he had no dash lights, but i can fault your logic and thinking as far as checking the more serious matter first
Click to expand...

That's true, assuming that the sensor and dash light are working correctly. I've seen both of those fail to work too.
 
PalmettoRunner said:
Does the fact that the check engine light started flashing after about 10 miles of it coming on mean anything?
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YES! STOP DRIVING IT!!!! if your CEL is flashing that is not good, that indicated a serious issue and or possible major failure impending. if the CEL is just simply on its not that crucial, but when they flash they are trying to get your attention and tell you to stop now and get this fixed ASAP, i would suggest if this is outta your scope to fix in your driveway or garage, having it towed to a local trusted shop and or dealer
 
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