death rattle! Please help my baby!!!

[dwrwebb]

I know othger people have posted about ticking and clicking noises, and I have read at least 50 posts/replies in those threads, a lot of which don't seem to match my symptoms/experience. ANyway, here is my issue:

I have a deathly sounding ticking (as opposed to a squeal/screech)...got worse starting just a few minutes ago. As I was driving along, I came to a stop sign and the damn thing stalled out. several times today - both before and after the stall out - the MM struggled to start. Seems I have the same problem as you (and other people) except mine ticks, not squeals. FYI- this ticking is Not the lash adjusters. the MM has also recently started to hesitate when going WOT (or close to it), although it doesn;t hesitate at first, it starts to do so as the RPMs get higher. I love my Black Beauty (Beast?) but this is quite a frightening experience. Does an alternator seem to be a likely cause?? seems weird though if it is, b/c of the hesitation(s) on acceleration...PLEASE HELP ME!!! My MM is WAY too young to die! :confused:

[fastblackmerc]

I know othger people have posted about ticking and clicking noises, and I have read at least 50 posts/replies in those threads, a lot of which don't seem to match my symptoms/experience. ANyway, here is my issue:

I have a deathly sounding ticking (as opposed to a squeal/screech)...got worse starting just a few minutes ago. As I was driving along, I came to a stop sign and the damn thing stalled out. several times today - both before and after the stall out - the MM struggled to start. Seems I have the same problem as you (and other people) except mine ticks, not squeals. FYI- this ticking is Not the lash adjusters. the MM has also recently started to hesitate when going WOT (or close to it), although it doesn;t hesitate at first, it starts to do so as the RPMs get higher. I love my Black Beauty (Beast?) but this is quite a frightening experience. Does an alternator seem to be a likely cause?? seems weird though if it is, b/c of the hesitation(s) on acceleration...PLEASE HELP ME!!! My MM is WAY too young to die! :confused:

Can be lotsa things... but probably not the alternator. Is the alternator charging? Look at the voltmeter.

The "deathly sounding ticking" and the starting / running issues might nt be related.

Could be loose / bad spark plugs, coil(s) going bad, timing chain tensioners on their way out, fuel filter clogged, MAF needs to be cleaned, air filter needs to be cleaned, IAC needs cleaning, etc.

[RacerX]

I have a deathly sounding ticking
the damn thing stalled out.
several times today
- both before and after the stall out - the MM struggled to start.
recently started to hesitate when going WOT - it starts to do so as the RPMs get higher.
These are not good signs. Personally, I wouldn't start it agian without someone who works on engines nearby to diagnose... My 2cts..

PS, Have you checked the oil lately?

[Mr. Man]

Think I read somewhere if the catalytic converters are clogged you may get the sounds you here.

Can you isolate more definitively where the sounds are coming from? Top, bottom, drivers or passenger side. Might help the mechanically inclined steer you in a direction.

[dwrwebb]

Can be lotsa things... but probably not the alternator. Is the alternator charging? Look at the voltmeter..
Well, either the voltmeter is broken (ie-always indicates the same "correct" reading) or the alt is fine...


The "deathly sounding ticking" and the starting / running issues might nt be related. The thought crossed my mind...but they both started at the same time...Had a DR tune on my MM, and switched it back to stop shortly after this all started (about a month ago....been too broke to take it somewhere, so I try to drive my wifes car as much as possible)


Could be loose / bad spark plugs, My first thought(s) and actions when the tick first started were as follows:

-checked oil level: pretty low, but still within the acceptable level range. I topped it off, and the tick was still there.

-returned vehicle to stock: ticking seemed slightly less loud, but no evidence to support that claim...

-changed oil and filter- no change...

-changed plugs (autolite xp103 I believe...maybe 104...dont remember for sure, but the were the correct ones for MM's) and boots: plugs were fairly dirty, especially the front two plugs on both sides. Both my diesel mechanic friend and myself both agreed plugs essentially only showed "normal" wear and tear...ticking still there...

-Purchased and used Seafoam product(s): one was the oil additive/fuel additive combo stuff, and the other was the carbon deposit remover stuff you spray into the throttle body area. Again, no change (predictable...)

-double (and/or triple) checked all fluid levels): no alarming discoveries...everything was normal...

**things Not yet tried** (listed below)
-replace fuel filter



coil(s) going bad, timing chain tensioners on their way out, fuel filter clogged, MAF needs to be cleaned, air filter needs to be cleaned, IAC needs cleaning, etc. is there an easy way to test the coil(s)?the chain tensioners (had considered the chain tensioners as likely culprit)
Air filter (K&N CAI) and MAF cleaned and oiled (the filter)

Today, about 10 minutes before the stall out, for no obviously apparent reason, the ticking became MUCH louder and heavier sounding. IN fact one of my early thoughts was that a portion of a part within the crank case region (perhaps a lash adjuster, or something of the sort) broke, and a portion was bouncing around on the inside of the engine. When the noise got louder today, it almost made me think that if a part of something broke off earlier, it now sounded as though the whole thing was "floating" around in the engine (please no!!!!). AS I noticed the increase in volume of the ticking, a pulled over at a gas station and popped the hood (car off). soon there after I saw smoke ( not too much, but enough to notice) coming up from between the engine and the firewall. I looked underneath, and it looked as though it was originating from (or very near to) the catalytic converter ( I think anyway-its pretty much under the front seats). I have seen no signs of blue and/or white exhaust smoke, noe any fluid dripping from tailpipe. I also noticed that there appeared to be a layer of oil (although not necessarily engine oil) on the bottom side of the cat. It had no distinguishable odor or color (just dark/dirty looking) when I wiped it and examined it, and I didn't see any dripping from the area when the car was off or when I truned it back on.

The only thing I can think of that MAY have started this all was this: shortly ( a week or so maybe...I can't remember for sure) before I started to notice the noise and hesitation(s), my wife was backing my MM out of a friends driveway, and somehow managed to go part way off of the driveway and into the drainage dith that runs under the driveway. The car was essentially teetering on the edge of the driveway. I had to go out and put weight on the side over the driveway so the tire would catch the driveway and she could back out of the driveway. (BTW- she got mad at me when she did that...wtf?).

Anyway, thats most of the info I can think of right now, and I know there is a lot of it to wade through, so I truly appreciate the wise and experienced members who take the time to read and attempt to help me with this predicament!

[dwrwebb]

Think I read somewhere if the catalytic converters are clogged you may get the sounds you here.

Can you isolate more definitively where the sounds are coming from? Top, bottom, drivers or passenger side. Might help the mechanically inclined steer you in a direction.
It is definitely in the front, and depending who I else ask, it may be the front bottom (only one person thinks that), or front top area, maybe slightly towards the passenger side. The only thing everyone seems to agree on is it sounds horrible, and it is definitely towards the front( confirmed as best as possible by using the good old "screwdriver as a stethescope" trick)

[Blackened300a]

EDIT:
Saw your post after I posted

[Blackened300a]

I think you may have blown a spark plug out. I had hesitation, stalling and had to keep my foot on the throttle to keep it running when mine blew out. Start pulling the coil covers off and pulling coils out. If all the plugs are still in the head, I would pull them out and check to make sure none are broke.

Posted this before reading your post. Does it sound like this?
C6dW3VFhm9o

[RF Overlord]

Between the ticking and the smoke and the hesitation and the oil film and the car falling off the driveway, you've got a lot of things happening here. We would obviously like to help, but I strongly urge you to contact a professional mechanic, or at least a very knowledgeable friend, before something heinous happens. Diagnosing a problem(s) like yours over the internet is risky without being able to see and hear and smell what's going on.

[dwrwebb]

Posted this before reading your post. Does it sound like this?
C6dW3VFhm9o



Well, yes...yes it does!!!!! I am excited, but I don't think I should be.....Also, It does sound like that, but I can't be 100% sure. It is a video after all, and I can't necessarily be sure it is the exact noise in the exact spot, but for all practical purposes: THAT IS THE SOUND!! please tell me you know what it is, how to fix it, and that it cost only $12.89 and took less than 10 minutes to fix.....(VERY wishful thinking...I'm sure)

[dwrwebb]

Between the ticking and the smoke and the hesitation and the oil film and the car falling off the driveway, you've got a lot of things happening here. We would obviously like to help, but I strongly urge you to contact a professional mechanic, or at least a very knowledgeable friend, before something heinous happens. Diagnosing a problem(s) like yours over the internet is risky without being able to see and hear and smell what's going on.
I concur!!!!!!!

[Vostok]

My first thoughts are a blown plug as well if it sounds like the video. Passenger side plug closest to the firewall. I blew mine earlier this month and sounded just like that. Had to drive a few miles home on 7 cylinders. It took the threads with it as well, might be in for a helicoil if thats the case...

[fastblackmerc]

Between the ticking and the smoke and the hesitation and the oil film and the car falling off the driveway, you've got a lot of things happening here. We would obviously like to help, but I strongly urge you to contact a professional mechanic, or at least a very knowledgeable friend, before something heinous happens. Diagnosing a problem(s) like yours over the internet is risky without being able to see and hear and smell what's going on.

I agree.......

[dwrwebb]

My first thoughts are a blown plug as well if it sounds like the video. Passenger side plug closest to the firewall. I blew mine earlier this month and sounded just like that. Had to drive a few miles home on 7 cylinders. It took the threads with it as well, might be in for a helicoil if thats the case...


That seems logical, and infact I thought of that way early on. As I mentioned in my earlier (really long) post, I changed the plugs already. The noise was there before I changed the plugs and after I changed the plugs, and none of the plugs were broken, so I am 99.238% sure that eliminates that as a cause. However, in that same long post (in red font), I did mention that I believed it could be a piece of something else that broke off and is "floating" around in there....

[Blackened300a]

Well, yes...yes it does!!!!! I am excited, but I don't think I should be.....Also, It does sound like that, but I can't be 100% sure. It is a video after all, and I can't necessarily be sure it is the exact noise in the exact spot, but for all practical purposes: THAT IS THE SOUND!! please tell me you know what it is, how to fix it, and that it cost only $12.89 and took less than 10 minutes to fix.....(VERY wishful thinking...I'm sure)

I hate to ruin your day. With the engine running unplug each injector one at a time and see if the sound changes. That will isolate the cylinder. My problem was a broken wrist pin which was caused by detonation when my plug shot out. The piston was moving so much in the cylinder that it wore it away and I ended up having to get my engine sleeved. The result was a very expensive venture to say the least! Your best bet is to find another engine and moving on. Fixing mine was a costly experience and I would have just replaced the engine if I could do it all over again. I hope its not the same problem I had, but if you isolate it to one cylinder, then welcome to my pain last year.

[Vostok]

That seems logical, and infact I thought of that way early on. As I mentioned in my earlier (really long) post, I changed the plugs already. The noise was there before I changed the plugs and after I changed the plugs, and none of the plugs were broken, so I am 99.238% sure that eliminates that as a cause. However, in that same long post (in red font), I did mention that I believed it could be a piece of something else that broke off and is "floating" around in there....

Would have to be a pretty big piece of debris in there to be making that kind of ruckus. From what I can gather small things usually work their way through and get blown out the exhaust.

[Blackened300a]

Would have to be a pretty big piece of debris in there to be making that kind of ruckus. From what I can gather small things usually work their way through and get blown out the exhaust.

You hope they get blown through the exhaust. Big enough debris can catch a valve on the way out.

[dwrwebb]

Would have to be a pretty big piece of debris in there to be making that kind of ruckus. From what I can gather small things usually work their way through and get blown out the exhaust.


I agree with that logic. Really I thought perhaps something (a hydraulic lash adjuster perhaps...) become "partially detached"...by that I mean it was still hooked to something somehow but wasn't working/attached correctly and was bouncing around/up and down/side to side etc.


BTW: I forgot to mention previously that My friend - the diesel mechanic - helped my upen the fuel filter with one of those nifty filter cutters, but we saw no debris whatsoever. Or anything that shouldnt be their, in fact....

[dwrwebb]

Well, I got a ride from my wife, and haven't been able to get back to my office today. A while back someone drove their car through our house, and we had to move back in just a few days ago, and I haven't finished all of the work yet, so I will try to get up there tomorrow. I will update my status after I try a few things, mainly Blackened300A's suggestion(s)

[dwrwebb]

Well, I tried Blackened300A's suggestion first, and disconnected the injectors one by one to isolate the source of the noise. Although it likely meant bad news, I was excited about finally being able to determine the source/cause of the issue...boy was I disappointed! nothing....really the only difference I noticed was when at one point I had the entire left bank unplugged! I hope it's not a push-rod....Anyway, yesterday, I drove to my office to test that idea out, and really left me with no "next thing to try." I called my buddy (the diesel mechanic), and drove the MM to his house (less that 1/2 mile away). Oddly the vehicle didn't seem to make AS MUCH noise....but was still embarrassingly loud. Im glad it was a short drive!. I never even made it over 25 mph and coasted most of the way there. Anyway, I pulledinto his garage and repulled all of the newest sparkplugs (about 800 miles old). just like the previous plugs I had pulled when this all started, there were no broken or even sligthly damaged plugs. I started to open the crank case on the left side (pain in the ass:so many vacuum tubes and fuel lines, and electrical connections in the way!!). Anyway, its open on the one side there, but not off all the way, as he was giving me a ride back to my office where my other car was, and he had to leave for work. I will be heading back up there in a few hours, and will update again. The scarry thing is, we tried to get a look at the internals with a shop light, and from what could be seen (not much yet) it appears that the pistons have some sort of an issue. They aren't smotth and polished looking like you might expect, but I wont be able to determine their status more efficiently until I can get the whole crank case completely open.... I'll post a short video I made the other morning for my other buddy (the lazy brother of the diesel mechanic: the sad part is, he went to school for "high performance" automobiles and hasn't helped me yet). The sound almost resemples something like a piston flopping around in the engine......we will see soon enough.:mad2:

[Blackened300a]

Well, I tried Blackened300A's suggestion first, and disconnected the injectors one by one to isolate the source of the noise. Although it likely meant bad news, I was excited about finally being able to determine the source/cause of the issue...boy was I disappointed! nothing....really the only difference I noticed was when at one point I had the entire left bank unplugged! I hope it's not a push-rod....Anyway, yesterday, I drove to my office to test that idea out, and really left me with no "next thing to try." I called my buddy (the diesel mechanic), and drove the MM to his house (less that 1/2 mile away). Oddly the vehicle didn't seem to make AS MUCH noise....but was still embarrassingly loud. Im glad it was a short drive!. I never even made it over 25 mph and coasted most of the way there. Anyway, I pulledinto his garage and repulled all of the newest sparkplugs (about 800 miles old). just like the previous plugs I had pulled when this all started, there were no broken or even sligthly damaged plugs. I started to open the crank case on the left side (pain in the ass:so many vacuum tubes and fuel lines, and electrical connections in the way!!). Anyway, its open on the one side there, but not off all the way, as he was giving me a ride back to my office where my other car was, and he had to leave for work. I will be heading back up there in a few hours, and will update again. The scarry thing is, we tried to get a look at the internals with a shop light, and from what could be seen (not much yet) it appears that the pistons have some sort of an issue. They aren't smotth and polished looking like you might expect, but I wont be able to determine their status more efficiently until I can get the whole crank case completely open.... I'll post a short video I made the other morning for my other buddy (the lazy brother of the diesel mechanic: the sad part is, he went to school for "high performance" automobiles and hasn't helped me yet). The sound almost resemples something like a piston flopping around in the engine......we will see soon enough.:mad2:

If you went one by one you should have heard a slight change in the noise if it was a single cylinder. If you unplugged and the noise didn't change then its possibly a tensioner and you're hearing the chain slapping or its a cam follower. Either way you'll have to pull the cam covers off to see them. The pistons won't look smooth and polished due to all the miles of carbon build up. Its normal that they will be discolored and rough looking on the top.

BTW, this engine don't have pushrods.

[sailsmen]

With out doubt this was the result of your wife damaging the car when she backed into the ditch.

If your cats are clogged there will be a loud sound from where the cats are like a vacum cleaner.

Hope it is nothing too expensive. Good luck.

[dwrwebb]

If you went one by one you should have heard a slight change in the noise if it was a single cylinder. If you unplugged and the noise didn't change then its possibly a tensioner and you're hearing the chain slapping or its a cam follower. Either way you'll have to pull the cam covers off to see them. The pistons won't look smooth and polished due to all the miles of carbon build up. Its normal that they will be discolored and rough looking on the top.

BTW, this engine don't have pushrods.

First let me say this: u r the man. Now that that's out if the way, let me proceed. From my ( untrained) ear, I didn't notice much of a difference. Of course there may have been one though. Anyway, I am having trouble removing the cover. It keeps getting stuck back towards the firewall somewhere, perhaps by the box with the thermal shield on it. I don't really want to disconnect the coolant lines or the box, but will if I have to. Any suggestion/ tricks to getting it off ( I am currently removing the cover to the crank case on the left/passenger side. Thanks again!!

[Blackened300a]

First let me say this: u r the man. Now that that's out if the way, let me proceed. From my ( untrained) ear, I didn't notice much of a difference. Of course there may have been one though. Anyway, I am having trouble removing the cover. It keeps getting stuck back towards the firewall somewhere, perhaps by the box with the thermal shield on it. I don't really want to disconnect the coolant lines or the box, but will if I have to. Any suggestion/ tricks to getting it off ( I am currently removing the cover to the crank case on the left/passenger side. Thanks again!!

Yep I can help you again. Heres my cam cover removal thread that will make it much easier for you.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=50526&highlight=cam+cover

[dwrwebb]

Yep I can help you again.
And once again I will thank you profusely, and refer to you as "THE Man".

Update: I just called my friend whovwent to performance automobile technician/mechanic school, and he agreed to help me out in a few days. This is the guy i previously referred to as "lazy" - I jailed him a few minutes ago around 3:45 pm and woke him up. He said he would only ask for a kittle bit of money, as opposed to the$90 to $110 an hour at the dealership...at least I have that part working in my favor( not to mention Blackened300A's help!!!)

[Baaad GN]

Sounds like plugged cats to me.

[Blackened300a]

Post a video when you get a chance of the noise.

[Drewstang]

What part of town do you live in? If you're somewhat close I could come by and listen to it. My original engine bit the dust in Oct 2009 and was knocking pretty good.

[dwrwebb]

Sounds like plugged cats to me.

I guess it could be, but clogged w/ what? And how? My thoughts on the residue I saw smoking on the cats is this: I have a slight oil leak somewhere, and I figured what I was seeing was blow back. The leak is farther up, so blow back made sense. No drips gave ever been seen in the area of the cats... That being said, I will follow up on that suggestion after I finish my current diag
Nosis/repair/"exploratory surgery"...

[4play]

take a long screwdriver or a pry bar and with the engine running listen to each exhast port close to the block and the block just above the manifold and figure out where it's coming from

[dwrwebb]

I appreciate everyones responses to this thread. I will be posting the video clip I made before I commenced with the dismantling process. That being said, many people aren't reading my follow up posts (specifically the one(s) where I provide details about each step I have taken/tried). Again, I do appreciate everyopne's efforts in trying to be of assistance, but many of the suggestions have been tried and/or eliminated already, including the "screwdriver-as-a-stethescope" trick. Also, to address the person who offered to come listen to it, I hav e already removed one of the crankcase covers, and mostly done with the other one...obviously I will not be starting it anytimne soon. I am in the process of following up on Blackened's suggestions now, but as I mentioned, I will be posting the video I took a few minutes before the dismantling started...Thanks again everyone...

[dwrwebb]

and here is the clip (also in my "Member Gallery")...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/19071


I used my iPhone 3gs, but I think it still did a decent job of capturing the sound.

NOTE: this video is of the noise when it got worse. It was not nearly as loud prior to the day I ended up leaving it at my office. The day this "newer" louder noise began was the day I started this thread. I left it at the office over the weekend, and when I went back on Monday (I think...maybe Sunday...), I tried Blackened300A's suggestion of unplugging the injectors one by one (should have made video(s) of that too! hindsight is 20-20, as they say). Anyway, the original noise sounded similar to the video that Blackened posted ealier in this thread, although it is very difficult to tell for sure based on a video...echoing, reverberations, etc. makes it difficult to be sure, not to mention the location of the sound, although I assume his sound(s) was also from the engine compartment. Anyway, Yesterday I finished removing both crankcase covers, and inspected all of the components. All springs, cams chains, etc show only normal wear (if even that much!!!), and nothing was broken, missing, etc. on either side. Today I am debating whether or not to remove the pulleys, powersteering pump, etc, or just reassemble and take it up to the dealership for them to at least diagnose the problem. I have assumed they would charge me for the labor, and presumably be able to give me a repair estimate. Having had a car recently drive through our house, I am a bit tight on money, although I did just get a check from a client who has owed me for building their website, so I have some money to pay the dealership to at least diagnose the problem, and should I choose to have them fix it I can use the rest of the check to at least put towards the repair costs, whetehr I have them do it, or I do it...I am currently driving around one of those full size conversion vans, and although it is a very nice vehicle (for a huge van), I miss my baby....

[Blackened300a]

I tried a few times to open your clip. If you upload it to youtube and post that link, it will be easier to open. It also cleans up the sound quality.
If you didn't see anything then it may be a wrist pin like myself a few members have had recently.

[dwrwebb]

I will U/L to youtube and put the link here...Ill have to make an account though. I don't believe I ever signed up for one in the past.
I will have to go back and review your post about the wrist pin issue....do you by chance have a link to the thread?

[dwrwebb]

rod knock???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34RuATkGBwA

[Blackened300a]

I will U/L to youtube and put the link here...Ill have to make an account though. I don't believe I ever signed up for one in the past.
I will have to go back and review your post about the wrist pin issue....do you by chance have a link to the thread?

Yep....
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=62632
And part 2
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=63884

May will be a year since this happened.

[Blackened300a]

rod knock???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34RuATkGBwA

A rod knock would be consistant with rpm, yours sounds like something bouncing around inside the intake. :confused:

[dwrwebb]

A rod knock would be consistant with rpm, yours sounds like something bouncing around inside the intake. :confused:


true (intake was clean!!). the original sound that started all of this (before the day it got worse-the day I started the thread) did fluxuate depending on RPM (ie-RPM's go up, tapping/knocking increased proportionately). I don't remember for sure, as I haven't watched the video since that day, but I seem to remember the noise also sped up as I pushed the throttle cable in the video...

[dwrwebb]

As I was posting my clip to you tube, I stumbled across the following clip which seems to sound pretty close to my noise (before the day it decided to get worse). Again, it's hard to be sure from a video on the internet, but from what I can tell, it is at the very least similar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbRDZKT7rxM

[RF Overlord]

One thing I notice about the sound in your video dwrwebb that is different from the video Paul posted in his thread is that his was rhythmic or perhaps cyclic is a better word...it was obvious that it was happening once per revolution of the crank. Yours sounds very staccato...it is more random and irregular as far as timing goes.

If I had to guess, it sounds like something inside the combustion chamber bouncing around, but for that to have happened for as long as it has and not hit the plug electrodes and bend them or break the plug is baffling.

FWIW, it does NOT sound like timing chain tensioners but since you have the cam covers off, run the motor for a few seconds and watch the chains. They'd have to be flapping pretty badly to make that kind of sound. Just watch out for slinging oil...!

[Blackened300a]

If I had to guess, it sounds like something inside the combustion chamber bouncing around, but for that to have happened for as long as it has and not hit the plug electrodes and bend them or break the plug is baffling.


+1
Its making me think like something fell into the intake manifold and is bouncing on top of the valves as they go up and down. Its also possible you lost a valve guide and the valve is just bouncing around in the head. It doesn't change with RPM so that's why it makes me think its valve/head related. With the cam cover off, try turning it over and watch all the valves. Something should look out of place or not moving at all.

[SmithWesson]

Sounds like one of the cylinders is not firing. I dont have a Marauder yet so I don't know if Marauders have coil wires, if they do maybe one is bad.

[Blackened300a]

Sounds like one of the cylinders is not firing. I dont have a Marauder yet so I don't know if Marauders have coil wires, if they do maybe one is bad.

Marauders have coil on plug. He don't have a miss and put all new plugs in.

[Drewstang]

My offer still stands to come hear it in person. I live in Louisville also.

[SpartaPerformance]

To me sounds like a rod knock.

[dwrwebb]

To me sounds like a rod knock.

Thats what I've started to think. I needed a new belt an intake manifold/throttle body gasket, so now when I reassemble at least I've addeessed some other maintenance issues, and perhaps a few more other things will pop up. Nothing at all was amiss on either the left or right, unless perhaps whatever nay have been out of place or bouncing around in there mdwll out during the disassemble process. All of the pulleys and everything look ok, although there is alight leak on the backside of the power steering pump. Those seal are all internal though I believe, so I'm thinking perhaps some spilled durining the last fill/service....will post pics and vid, as I begin reassembly this week.

Sorry for any typos. I'm doing this from my phone and auto type likes to overwrite my text typing a little too often.

[RF Overlord]

intake Namibia gasket,WTH is that?

[dwrwebb]

Sorry for any typos. I'm doing this from my phone and auto type likes to thaw over a little too often

how in the h*ll did it auto-correct manifold to Namibia???
guess you missed that part... I have reassembled the right (drivers) side, and will finish the left tomorrow. I had to order some parts, but they are supposed to come in tomorrow. I will then take the beast about a mile up to the dealership...should've done that first......
I told my buddy that I am operating under the assumption that once reassembled, everything will be normal!!!!:beer:


Not likely.....

[dwrwebb]

One thing I notice about the sound in your video dwrwebb that is different from the video Paul posted in his thread is that his was rhythmic or perhaps cyclic is a better word...it was obvious that it was happening once per revolution of the crank. Yours sounds very staccato...it is more random and irregular as far as timing goes.



Well, my car initially strted with a sound similar to that, next thing I know, it sounds like the video I posted. So the sound in my video no longer sounds similar to his, but I figured the sound I heard originally was so similar to his, that I used that as a starting point.

[steve fox]

So, what is the verdict? The suspense is killing me.

[RacerX]

That sounds down low in the engine. I would take Drewstang up on his offer since he's local to you and don't run it. Probably need a new block since resleaving isn't economical. Just my 2cts.

[Blackened300a]

Probably need a new block since resleaving isn't economical. Just my 2cts.

Yes the re-sleeve is not the cheap way to go. I learned that the hard way.

[dwrwebb]

Long story short: "New" engine (Ford Remanufactured w/ 3 year, 100k mile warranty)...

No compression, and two "dead" cylinders.....

I need to find out what happens to my old engine though...forgot to ask...

At least its only a week and 3 days until I get it back (we'll call it two weeks though...)

I saw my cell ring this morning, and recognized the number as the dealer, so I answered the phone: "She's dead, isn't she?" Tyson (the gentleman I've been dealing with at the service center) didn't even flinch. He just said, "yeah." He told me the cost for an engine from for, plus he called around to most of the junkyards within 150 miles to see what engines might be available as other options, but there were (obviously) no marauder engines, and the cobra's were all engine-less (again-obvious...). I had briefly considered a mach 1, but price difference was negligible, so why would I pay the same price for less engine? The funny thing is that when I was reassembling the cam covers, etc. I decided it would be a good idea to replace some things like the belt, and some gaskets, etc.....I remember thinking "maybe I should wait to do that until I get the car up to the shop." But, I didn't.......oh well.

BTW: ZERO compression, and two "dead" cylinders....If you want a more specific diagnosis, let me know....

One more thing: In his "professional opinion," the DR tune (xcal 3 device w/ Dennis' tune file) is what led to this disaster...I never did get a chance to get a truly customized tune....I guess also at least the only mod (not counting the tune) is the K&N which I can just swap out. perhaps I will sell that stuff and keep my baby 100% stock. I need to finish getting it repainted too....It is a sad day, but at least I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...

[RF Overlord]

In his "professional opinion," the DR tune (xcal 3 device w/ Dennis' tune file) is what led to this disaster...His "professional opinion" in this case is worthless, unless he has years of experience tuning Marauders. Ask him to show you the piles of dead Marauder/Crown Vic/Mustang engines he's worked on that were ruined by Dennis's tune.

[dwrwebb]

His "professional opinion" in this case is worthless, unless he has years of experience tuning Marauders. Ask him to show you the piles of dead Marauder/Crown Vic/Mustang engines he's worked on that were ruined by Dennis's tune.


I wasn't saying I agreed with him....just commenting on what he said. Hell, for all he knows, the only tune I put on there was "return to stock." I just thought it was amusing what his take on the situation was...

AGAIN, TO BE CLEAR: I AM NOT CLAIMING IT WAS RELATED AT ALL TO DENNIS' TUNE!!!!!!!!!! In fact I totally disagree. I just got a kick out of that, so I figured others would as well... I WAS PLEASED WITH THE TUNE FILE AND DON'T THINK IT WAS RELATED AT ALL TO THE ENGINE FAILURE!!!!!!!

[Rockettman]

I feel for you dwrwebb.

I once started my old '94 T-Bird one morning, only to watch as anti-freeze actually dripped out the tailpipe. It's a sinking feeling when the dealer calls! In my case, Ford had recalled those cars (at the time - I missed the recall interval by 2 months), so Ford paid for half of the replacement engine.

The consellation is when you get the car back. The money spent will seem to be worth it.

Look at it this way...compare that to the 40+ grand for a new 5.0 !

Good luck and enjoy.

BTW: put the tune back in when you get the car back.

[dwrwebb]

I feel for you dwrwebb.

I once started my old '94 T-Bird one morning, only to watch as anti-freeze actually dripped out the tailpipe. It's a sinking feeling when the dealer calls! In my case, Ford had recalled those cars (at the time - I missed the recall interval by 2 months), so Ford paid for half of the replacement engine.

The consellation is when you get the car back. The money spent will seem to be worth it.

Look at it this way...compare that to the 40+ grand for a new 5.0 !

Good luck and enjoy.

BTW: put the tune back in when you get the car back.

I plan on reinstalling it. I'll just return it to stock if I ever need to take it in for service. I've never heard any one say anything about it in the past. I will likely get a custom tune shortly though. As far as getting my car back, I agree. I believe it will be worth the money. There goes my "Mod fund" though.....at least now I will have a car/engine to mod though!!!

[dwrwebb]

I got my baby back today...she purrs like a kitten...or a lion...whatever.

Anyway, I still need to get new coils, and the custom tune, and she will be better than ever!

[Blackened300a]

I got my baby back today...she purrs like a kitten...or a lion...whatever.

Anyway, I still need to get new coils, and the custom tune, and she will be better than ever!

That was quick and I hope it didn't break the bank!

[Drewstang]

Nice. Now get ready for the Louisville Meet.

[dwrwebb]

That was quick and I hope it didn't break the bank!


Sadly, it did....but at least I have my car back!!!! So worth it...now I just need to get tires and coils...