1996 Ford Explorer Started making clicking noise while pres

KYLES609

MEMBER
1996 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
135,000 MILES

Hi,
I I hit a deer and replaced my radiator about 3 months ago. Since then I thought I have smelled coolant when I get out of the car but cant see any leaks. Today I was driving to work (180 Miles) and about 40 miles into it on the highway, I would press the gas to keep speed going up a hill and I could hear a clicking noise. (It was raining most of the way there). Once I reached the top of a hill I would let off the gas to hold speed and the clicking noise would go away or quiet enough so I couldn't hear it. It would also go away if I let off the gas while going up the hill. It would happen in over drive as well as the gear before it. I pulled over and checked everything, couldn't hear any clicking or abnormal noises at idle. Got back on the highway and it continued. Seemed to only happen over 35-45 mph. I also had checked the coolant reservoir and it seemed dirty and almost gone, but I just changed all the fluid and the radiator itself not too long ago. Again no leaks that I can see. What should my first steps be to diagnose this since I can hear the noise while under the hood? I have been told its possibly the water pump or even a spring in the fuel pump or something. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Kyle

2 Replies

PEAR69

MECHANIC
1,482 POSTS

Drain the engine oil and transmission fluid. Look for coolant in both. I would do this immediately! If there are no coolant leaks visible on the ground, especialy after just filling up the coolant reservoir, the coolant is probably leaking INTO your engine or transmission. How you may ask?
The engine oil and transmission fluid cooling lines run through a sealed coil inside of your radiator. If these coils break or crack, coolant will get into either/or both/ the engine and/or transmission. The ticking sound is a tell tale sign that engine oil or transmission fluid or both are thinning out; probably because of coolant breaking down lubricants. If this is happening and you don't catch it in time, the damage will be catistrofic--sorry if that is mis-spelled.