Question1995 Ford Windstar. The last few mornings my wife has noticed what sounds like the engine ticking. The engine was replaced in September 2000 as the engine blew because of the faulty head gasket. Luck would have it my wife researched and found their secret warranty on this. She is very scared that this is going to happen again. It has 50 000 kms on the new engine. Anything you can suggest would be greatly appreciated, short of selling the dam thing. Thanks so much for your time
AnswerCollin, the source of an engine tick could be one of several things - some indicating a problem, others not.
I'd look at the coolant (check the level in the reservoir, and the color of it) and check the oil (again, for level and color). Also note the oil pressure gauge and the coolant temp gauge for anything unusual.
Other ticks can be normal, like the injectors clicking on and off about 10X/second, the pumping sound of a power steering pump, etc. Some unusual ticking sounds could come from the transmission (low fluid sometimes makes a checkball in it flutter), the power steering pump (low fluid will make it howl), and others.
If the coolant is not pretty green - has turned brownish colored - then it is way over-due for a flush. Your regular mechanic that changes the oil and filter should have advised you of this when the color started changing, but hopefully it is not too late! Flush it, not just draining the system and refilling it, but FLUSH it with either several drain/fills of water and a final drain/fill of coolant, or have a power flush done that takes out the old and puts in only fresh 50/50 mix of coolant & water.
If the oil is showing a milk-chocolate color, or has white foam on the dipstick or the oil filler cap, you've already waited too long... that would indicate water is in the oil, and you probably have a leaking head gasket. If this is not the case, but the oil is low, then you should check for any leaks, fix them, and change the oil every 3-5000 miles... I prefer 3000 mile changes, and that allows me a little overtime if I just don't find the time one weekend. But changing the oil is the cheapest insurance you can give an engine! For $20 in parts, you can buy a quality filter and 5 quarts of quality 5W20 motor oil... or you can find a shop that will do it for $10 more, and they should make the other inspections that frequently need to made.
A low oil level can cause the lifters to tick, as lower oil pressure from aeration prevents them from pumping up to normal height. It can also make a bearing wear, causing a piston to travel further than it was designed to travel - actually hit the cylinder head or valves as it reached the top of its travel. Not good!
Hope this helps...
\Clay
