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loud noise at idle

35K views 22 replies 13 participants last post by  chasespeed 
#1 ·
I have a 1999 250 with 200,000 plus My only problem is at idle and only at idle. The truck hasn't lost signifigant power, and has no aftermarket modifications. my problem is very similar to a torque converter being loose.
any acceleration on the motor and this noise stops i have checked the torque converter and all idlers. ford mechanic said something about a timing gear with backlash. if this sound originated in the timing gear it would have come apart and wouldn't be running. any help would be appreciated
 
#3 ·
If you take the inspection cover off the tranny does the noise get louder? If it does its the converter.
 
#5 ·
whats the noise like tap, knock, clank can you discribe it? the tc noise that i kno about is similar to a grinding and isnt good to keep running the veh like that. what ever happens internally in the tc im not sure. i do kno that every one ive changed making that noise sends a lot of metal through the tranny and usually you have to tear it down to clean it or at minimum flush it, replace the cooler, and install inline filter. ive never heard the timing gears make noise not to say that it cant happen just havent run into that. tc noise is more common.
 
#7 ·
Mine had the extra loud rattle to it as well. 1999, 7.3, 200,000 miles. The torque converter has turbines, bearings and many moving parts that can "explode" giving enough time.
I dont believe there is a actual mechanical test to diagnose them, but my trans guy had me put the truck in reverse at an idle, then shift to park. If the noise goes away for a split second when the fluid pressure changed, it is most likely the TC.
Once I had the TC changed, the noise went away.

remember, if the bearings or turbines are wearing or rubbing against each other, there is bound to be metal shavings. This will most definatly ruin your trans if it goes to long and the TC starts to fall apart.
A good trans shop will inspect the shavings in the trans before changing the TC. You dont want to replace the TC and then have your trans go out. You will have to replace the TC again with the rebuilt trans.
A new filter, fluid, and TC cost me just over 1000.00 to have it done at the shop.
 
#9 ·
i guess you didnt remove the flexplate, because their very common to break on our trucks and still drive just fine but sound god awful and they usually break around all the bolt holes so you cant see it unless you pull it off, i think mine broke yesterday but i probably wont pull it until later this week once i have some time
 
#11 ·
I had a problem like your describing on a 99 with 200k. My problem was kind of crazy, I've never heard of it before, but the flywheel cracked all the way around the bolt holes, when idleing it made alot of racket but as soon as it would drive it would quite down. I drove it 150 miles towing before I made it to the dealer, when they took the flywheel out it was in two pieces. Some how it stayed together.
 
#16 ·
good deal atleast you didnt get the runaround, if i would have seen this thread earlier i could have told you flexplate before you did the converter but **** happens and most of the people on here dont realize how loud these flexplates are when they break or crack, mine sounds like a couple rods are just slamming around in the block
 
#15 ·
The flexplate breaking is becoming more common on all makes of vehicles. I have replaced 3 in the last 8wks on 3 different types of vehicles. Must be making them out of some really cheap metal now.
 
#19 ·
kinda scary, I have an employee that drives a 1/2 ton ford with a straight six he has been saying for at least a year his torque is going out (I looked up today and saw that his takes the exact torque as ours) I told him he had better stop driving because I believe it is his flexplate instead of torque.
 
#23 ·
FWIW...

Some 99.5s still had the "loud" convertor. There is a TSB on it, but no recall. Mine has been checked, and fine. The noise(as I was told), was due to something with the clutches rattling at idle. as soon as you come off idle, it gets intermitent, and above 900-1000rpm, non-existent.

I dont care anyway, I still have a warranty on mine, though, I will probably have a new T/C within a few months anyway.

Chase
 
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