ST220 engine tapping noise
Discussion
I have a ST220 with a noise coming from the engine which i can only describe as a loose tappet, which i obviously know that they are a lifters of some description.Does not do it from cold only when warmed up and runs perfectly ok.
My previous car was a ST24 2.5, that developed the same type of noise but it sounded like it was coming from the timing chain end of the engine and we put it down to possibly a timing chain tensioner failing. Never had it investigated because the car was not worth spending the money on but it ran perfectly ok again only done it when warmed up not from cold.
On the ST220 it does sound more like it's coming from the top of the engine.
So my question is, are the chain tensioner prone to failing/sticking and if it's possibly one of the camshaft lifters can they be reshimmed or is it new lifters.
How much would need striping of the engine to do either and would it make sense to do head gaskets, i've heard that just to do head gaskets it's easier to take the engine & gearbox out because of access is that right.
Cheers in advance.
My previous car was a ST24 2.5, that developed the same type of noise but it sounded like it was coming from the timing chain end of the engine and we put it down to possibly a timing chain tensioner failing. Never had it investigated because the car was not worth spending the money on but it ran perfectly ok again only done it when warmed up not from cold.
On the ST220 it does sound more like it's coming from the top of the engine.
So my question is, are the chain tensioner prone to failing/sticking and if it's possibly one of the camshaft lifters can they be reshimmed or is it new lifters.
How much would need striping of the engine to do either and would it make sense to do head gaskets, i've heard that just to do head gaskets it's easier to take the engine & gearbox out because of access is that right.
Cheers in advance.
Oil & filter done at the weekend, it was also recommended by an oil expert to first run some mineral oil through it for an hour first then put new oil in.
Funnily enough when it had mineral in it which was 10 w 40 quiet as a mouse put 5 w 30 back in and certainly better but still there.
We then took water pump belt off to eliminate that, because we had a probe on it and listening through the probe there is a definate tapping noise that end of the engine on the front bank.
It is now being investigated further Wednesday by taking the cam cover off just to have a visual look.
But at the moment it's looking as though it could be a slightly worn cam or cam follower, so will post any findings.
It looks like i could be running a slighter thicker oil as recommended in the handbook.
Will be looking into wether or not cam/follower & timing chain kits are available and take it from there.
Funnily enough when it had mineral in it which was 10 w 40 quiet as a mouse put 5 w 30 back in and certainly better but still there.
We then took water pump belt off to eliminate that, because we had a probe on it and listening through the probe there is a definate tapping noise that end of the engine on the front bank.
It is now being investigated further Wednesday by taking the cam cover off just to have a visual look.
But at the moment it's looking as though it could be a slightly worn cam or cam follower, so will post any findings.
It looks like i could be running a slighter thicker oil as recommended in the handbook.
Will be looking into wether or not cam/follower & timing chain kits are available and take it from there.
I've an idea what your problem could be and there's a Ford TSB for this.
The tapping comes from the bearing/s on the camshaft that the waterpump drives off. The bearing caps need to come off and back on and re-torqued - that's it. The same engine is used in Mavericks in the US and they have the same problem. The fix is based on that engine. The TSB is isued from Ford UK and people have had it done under warranty from Ford on UK ST220's.
TSB... Have a look and see what you think.
Note, the left hand bank that they refer to is the front bank on the ST220.
Hope this helps.
The tapping comes from the bearing/s on the camshaft that the waterpump drives off. The bearing caps need to come off and back on and re-torqued - that's it. The same engine is used in Mavericks in the US and they have the same problem. The fix is based on that engine. The TSB is isued from Ford UK and people have had it done under warranty from Ford on UK ST220's.
TSB... Have a look and see what you think.
Note, the left hand bank that they refer to is the front bank on the ST220.
Hope this helps.
Gary who do you use for servicing? I've yet to get mine done, have been told about an indy in Shrewsbury but would prefer Ford dealer that is decent!http://www.hillswift.co.uk/15271/index.htm
Used them for 4 years now, no complaints. Quite a small, family run dealer (only three cars in the showroom). I'm on a first name basis, no charge for the use of a hire car and they let me pay whenever I want (i.e. invoice in the post) which is a bit unnecessary but quite trusting
Only thing I will say is there tyre machine is at the limit of 18" wheels so I've always had them done elsewhere.
Lastly, Dave, do you really believe the dealer tried that TSB? It's just I remember reading your post and couldnt help feel suspicious.
Used them for 4 years now, no complaints. Quite a small, family run dealer (only three cars in the showroom). I'm on a first name basis, no charge for the use of a hire car and they let me pay whenever I want (i.e. invoice in the post) which is a bit unnecessary but quite trusting
Only thing I will say is there tyre machine is at the limit of 18" wheels so I've always had them done elsewhere.
Lastly, Dave, do you really believe the dealer tried that TSB? It's just I remember reading your post and couldnt help feel suspicious.
Edited by GaryST220 on Thursday 21st April 10:58
Cheers Gary, not a million miles away from me. Do they employ men or boys fresh from school? As for the TSB, Ford would not authorise the amount of work that my car had without good reason, they stated on the warranty claim that the TSB was carried out & no change found. Remember all parts go back to Ford so if there were any doubt the dealer would not get paid for the warranty work.
Dave_ST220 said:
Cheers Gary, not a million miles away from me. Do they employ men or boys fresh from school? As for the TSB, Ford would not authorise the amount of work that my car had without good reason, they stated on the warranty claim that the TSB was carried out & no change found. Remember all parts go back to Ford so if there were any doubt the dealer would not get paid for the warranty work.
From what I gather, the master tech is about mid thirties, and theres two other young lads there (about 25), theres also the MOT tester who is about 60. They've done my servicing, brakes, brake fluid, anti roll bar bushes, the TSB, MOT and have programmed me a new key, no complaints.Thank You Philmots, Read your post about the TSB and to be honest my thoughts were, yes ok for the sake of taking off the easier cam cover we'll give it a go but really could not see how this was going to cure the problem.
Like i said the other day my mechanic did not get a chance to look at it.
So this afternoon i took it apart myself and still could not see why i was doing this, but after putting it back together and starting her up then out for a drive all is good and she's as quiet as a mouse again.
Does anyone know why this happens is it something to do with the water pump running off that same camshaft.
Really was on the brink of, get rid of another noisy Mondeo V6, so many thanks.
Neb
Like i said the other day my mechanic did not get a chance to look at it.
So this afternoon i took it apart myself and still could not see why i was doing this, but after putting it back together and starting her up then out for a drive all is good and she's as quiet as a mouse again.
Does anyone know why this happens is it something to do with the water pump running off that same camshaft.
Really was on the brink of, get rid of another noisy Mondeo V6, so many thanks.
Neb
Nebby said:
Thank You Philmots, Read your post about the TSB and to be honest my thoughts were, yes ok for the sake of taking off the easier cam cover we'll give it a go but really could not see how this was going to cure the problem.
Like i said the other day my mechanic did not get a chance to look at it.
So this afternoon i took it apart myself and still could not see why i was doing this, but after putting it back together and starting her up then out for a drive all is good and she's as quiet as a mouse again.
Does anyone know why this happens is it something to do with the water pump running off that same camshaft.
Really was on the brink of, get rid of another noisy Mondeo V6, so many thanks.
Neb
Awesome!Like i said the other day my mechanic did not get a chance to look at it.
So this afternoon i took it apart myself and still could not see why i was doing this, but after putting it back together and starting her up then out for a drive all is good and she's as quiet as a mouse again.
Does anyone know why this happens is it something to do with the water pump running off that same camshaft.
Really was on the brink of, get rid of another noisy Mondeo V6, so many thanks.
Neb
Nebby said:
Oil & filter done at the weekend, it was also recommended by an oil expert to first run some mineral oil through it for an hour first then put new oil in.
Funnily enough when it had mineral in it which was 10 w 40 quiet as a mouse put 5 w 30 back in and certainly better but still there.
We then took water pump belt off to eliminate that, because we had a probe on it and listening through the probe there is a definate tapping noise that end of the engine on the front bank.
It is now being investigated further Wednesday by taking the cam cover off just to have a visual look.
But at the moment it's looking as though it could be a slightly worn cam or cam follower, so will post any findings.
It looks like i could be running a slighter thicker oil as recommended in the handbook.
Will be looking into wether or not cam/follower & timing chain kits are available and take it from there.
Funnily enough when it had mineral in it which was 10 w 40 quiet as a mouse put 5 w 30 back in and certainly better but still there.
We then took water pump belt off to eliminate that, because we had a probe on it and listening through the probe there is a definate tapping noise that end of the engine on the front bank.
It is now being investigated further Wednesday by taking the cam cover off just to have a visual look.
But at the moment it's looking as though it could be a slightly worn cam or cam follower, so will post any findings.
It looks like i could be running a slighter thicker oil as recommended in the handbook.
Will be looking into wether or not cam/follower & timing chain kits are available and take it from there.
Hope you’ve sorted it but if your still looking, apologies but I’m not that brilliant with computers, if you put in ’ST220 engine trouble’ in the search on here it will bring up the original post, by Dave st220, gives a description on what to do on the first page.
Hope this helps, let us how you get on
Hope this helps, let us how you get on
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