Hey everyone... a stupid thing happened today.. i left my 94 PSE running and locked myself out... well after checking all the doors and trunk to see if they were open i go and call my dad... he has the spare key... so while im busy waiting my car starts ticking.. first a little... then it got louder and louder.. i had a real good feeling it was the hla's clattering like crazy... it must have been clattering like that for like 15 min.. then my dad gets here with the key and i go and shut my car off... now what i need to know is.. what caused this.. and what damage could have occurred.. i have an extended warranty on the vehicle so i could bring it in but ill have to pay 100 cdn deductible. plus i also have cracking cv boots to take care of too.. and one other thing.. that clunk when steering the wheel.. hmmm.. not bad fix up for only 100.. if the dealership does things right.. should i go to mazda or ford... i dunno any info would be appreciated.. thanks Eugene 94 PSE

mine does that if I let it idle for a couple of minutes,seems like the oil pressure gets low

READ that Technical Bulletin. This has been brought up several times, and if you would have read the bulletin, you would have read that if a ticking develops from prolonged idle the its the oil pump. READ: AERA Technical Bulletin TB1633 Manufacturer: FORD Displacement: 2 Ltr. Engine Ticking Noise on 1993-96 Ford 2.0L VIN A Engines The AERA Technical Committee offers the following informationn regarding an engine ticking noise on 1993-96 Ford 2.0L VIN A engines. This metallic ticking noise has been heard at idle and may be associated with rough running, stalling, or reduced power of the engine. This condition may be caused by an uneven wear pattern in the oil pump control plunger, which results in air entering the oiling system. When air enters the oiling system, the hydraulic lash adjusters will bleed down causing a ticking noise in the upper area of the engine. To test for air in the oiling system, Ford recommends starting the engine and letting it idle for 10 minutes. If a ticking noise is present, replacement of the oil pump is recommended. The plunger within the oil pump may also stick, causing rough running, stalling or reduced power of the engine. Starting the engine and running it at 3000 RPM while monitoring oil pressure can detect a stuck plunger. Normal oil pressure may first be 100 psi at startup and then drop down to 80 psi after maximum engine temperature is reached. Normal readings should be 57-71 psi at 3000 RPM. If the engine oil pressure stays near 100 psi, replacement of the oil pump is recommended. The revises oil pump, Part#F72Z-6600-AA, has an improved oil pump plunger which reduces the possibility of the above mentioned problems. The AERA Technical Committee December 1998 - TB 1633 I apoligize for sounding rude but this bulletin has been posted several times, and is very important to 2.0L owners so I figured that everyone would have read it. Enjoy, Bryan >

My 95 does this as well. The causes are described on the mx-6/probe faq that I have bookmarked on another computer. You can find it through a link on the bay area probe owners club homepage. It is a great site about probes. I have found the problem becomes more evident when as the time for the next oil change approaches and if the oil level is not exactly full. As you mentioned, long periods of idling can bring on the problem. Check out the faq, if you have not already. Chris

I have not seen the bulletin as I have only recently joined the list. Do you know if Ford dealers will perform the repair even if the car is no longer under warranty? It seems to me that they should if the problem warranted a tech bulletin. Chris

Whoa, I have that problem and thought it was normal for the probe. I have the LOUD ticking, rough running, low power, it all makes sence. Hmmm, maybe its time for some warranty service ;-). Dan

The bulletin is not a Ford Bulletin. It is posted by some other automotive association (AERO or something like that), and I have not heard of anyone having this repair covered by Ford or Mazda or a dealer. I am guessing because the problem does not put anyone at risk, they (Ford) are not going to waste there money. Bryan Pendleton >

I have an aftermarket warranty that will cover the oil pump. Assuming thats the problem of course. Dan