Ticking/Knocking Engine noise 1989 Coachmen E250

[Assyrian_Elvis]

Hey guys. I just bought an 89 Coachmen Ford Econoline E250. Got it from Vegas and it was one owner and carfax verified to have only 44000 miles on it. It is in mint condition. I drove it from Vegas to Little Rock Arkansas with no problems. I recently have been hearing a ticking noise coming from the right driver side engine area near the power steering pump. The ticking noise does not go away and the van is struggling to get over 55mph on the highway. Im not sure if it is and exhaust manifold or catalytic converter. Hopefully its not the valves or lifters. Just wanted to get some help and info on this. Anyone can help lemme know.

Also 2 other issues. My onan generator was worked on by a guy and he messed it up. Before it would work and I used the rooftop AC for 2 days. Now when I turn the fan option on the coleman rooftop ac it works, once I select the low cool or high cool option for the AC it shuts off. The regular fan option works on the rooftop unit when the genset is on but when the actual air condition option is selected like low cool or high cool, it shuts off right away.

The other issue is my monitor panel is not working and my propane tank if leaking propane from the valve. Any guys on here from the little rock area who work on rvs please contact me cus I wanna get it fixed. Any info or help on here? Lemme know guys.

[Assyrian_Elvis]

topless wrote:
The easiest way to see if you have a bad valve is to take a small ( I use a dollar bill) piece of paper and hold it in front of the exhaust pipe. It should blow away at a steady rate, if there is a bad valve, it will flip back on the dead cylinder.
The ticking could be an exhaust leak, you have a problem getting rpm and this truck sat for years. Mufflers have internal baffles and over time they can and do, rust. If a baffle has broken loose it will block the exhaust flow, restricting the motors ability to breathe. It's also possible you have a plugged catalytic converter. Since you replaced the fuel pump, and I assume the fuel filter, then low rpm and lack of power takes you to the exhaust side of the motor.
The 351 is a good motor and you just drove it 1400 miles, I doubt something has gone bad in there.

Good points thansk for the advice. The muffler appears to be in good shape from the outside, no rust or holes. This truck was from vegas so its in pristine condition. As far as the dollar trick u mentioned its kinda confusing and I really dont get what u r talking about. I do hear a muffled sound coming from the muffler when I start it. Sounds likes its somewhat stuffed up. The ticking Im hoping is an exhaust leak. Im gonna take it in to an exhaust shop and mechanic and see what they tell me. Thanks for the help.

[topless]

The easiest way to see if you have a bad valve is to take a small ( I use a dollar bill) piece of paper and hold it in front of the exhaust pipe. It should blow away at a steady rate, if there is a bad valve, it will flip back on the dead cylinder.
The ticking could be an exhaust leak, you have a problem getting rpm and this truck sat for years. Mufflers have internal baffles and over time they can and do, rust. If a baffle has broken loose it will block the exhaust flow, restricting the motors ability to breathe. It's also possible you have a plugged catalytic converter. Since you replaced the fuel pump, and I assume the fuel filter, then low rpm and lack of power takes you to the exhaust side of the motor.
The 351 is a good motor and you just drove it 1400 miles, I doubt something has gone bad in there.

[ol__grouch]

Assyrian_Elvis wrote:

It drove fine with no ticking 1400 miles from vegas to little rock. The owner told me it was sitting in storage for 5 years. I had to repace the rear fuel pump and sending unit because the gas was old and dirty and the pump didnt work. I drove it with the front fuel pump from vegas to little rock with no problems. I just wanna know whats the acceleration problem? Is it the exhaust manifold cracked or low air pressure from a bad sticky valve making the ticking noise. Ive had for a few months a few weeks ago the ticking started coming from the right side of the engine right on the driver side near the power steering pump. Are you saying I need to do a compression test and see how many pounds of air compression its making? I dont understand or know what a vacumm test is. I did replace the valve cover gaskets and intake manifold gasket but they were all made by felpro and not the original motorcraft,

Your engine is one great big air pump. It pulls air in, mixes it with fuel, compresses it, ignites it and expells it. It creates a vacuum in the intake to draw air in. This is done by the downward action of each piston. Exhaust is pushed out by the piston coming up. If the exhaust is plugged, it can't get all the burnt fuel/air mixture out. Less fresh air and fuel can get in. When this happens, the vacuum pressure will drop.

Find a reputable muffler shop. Make sure they have room on their rack for your units height. It's quite possible either a mouse nest is inside your tail pipe or your muffler has rusted inside and collapsed. For your unit, driving like this is like you jogging with a pillow case over your head. This may not cure the ticking but you'll have a lot more power.

[Arizona_Kid]

"It's against the law for sellers of Propane to fill a DOT propane tank that is 12 years or older that has not been re-certified. The propane tank must be recertified by a facility that is certified to do DOT Tank recertification. Some large Propane suppliers and some RV repair facilities are certified to do the DOT Tank recertification.
When the DOT Tank is inspected and passes it is recertified for 5 years and must be re-inspected and recertified every 5 years thereafter. Every time it is recertified a new re-certification label is affixed to the DOT Propane Tank."

Please be careful with propane, and have you whole system checked out.

[Assyrian_Elvis]

ernie1 wrote:
What engine do you have? A 351 or 460 ci? The 460s are notorious for having cracked exhaust manifold.

It is the original propane tank I believe. I saw and smelled it leaking from the yellow cap where you hook to fill it. I opened the valve and emptied all the propane outta there. I dont think the tank needs to be replaced since there are no holes in it and its not rusted. Where should I take it for propane service? Camping world is kinda expensive. I know the gas stove works and hot water heater. But Ive had problems running the fridge on propane and Im not sure how the furnace works for heating. Im new to rvs, This is my 2nd one. The one I had before got burned in a fire and I only had it a few months.

[Assyrian_Elvis]

ernie1 wrote:
What engine do you have? A 351 or 460 ci? The 460s are notorious for having cracked exhaust manifold.

Its the 351 5.8 gas

[Assyrian_Elvis]

coolmom42 wrote:
Switch to 89 octane for a while and run a can of Seafoam through the gas tank.

Also..... if that is the original propane tank, it is way past due for inspection or replacement. I would replace the entire tank.

Ok Im gonna try the 89 octane or even 93 octane gas. Ive heard a lotta people using seafoam but Im scared too and not sure if its good for the gas tank or engine. Why do so many people talk about using seafoam? I know nothing about it, What does it do?

[Assyrian_Elvis]

ol' grouch wrote:
How long did it sit before you got it? I've seen a lot of cars over the years bog down and not want to go very fast. A few things it could be are;

Mice building a nest in the tail pipe plugging it up.

Internally rusted muffler

Slipped timing chain from miles. They usually last about 120,000 miles but a lot of idlingcan shorten that.

Hook a vacuum guage to the intake and see what you get. A healthy engine will pull between 17 and 20 inches of vacuum.

Now, the ticking could be a sticky lifter.

It drove fine with no ticking 1400 miles from vegas to little rock. The owner told me it was sitting in storage for 5 years. I had to repace the rear fuel pump and sending unit because the gas was old and dirty and the pump didnt work. I drove it with the front fuel pump from vegas to little rock with no problems. I just wanna know whats the acceleration problem? Is it the exhaust manifold cracked or low air pressure from a bad sticky valve making the ticking noise. Ive had for a few months a few weeks ago the ticking started coming from the right side of the engine right on the driver side near the power steering pump. Are you saying I need to do a compression test and see how many pounds of air compression its making? I dont understand or know what a vacumm test is. I did replace the valve cover gaskets and intake manifold gasket but they were all made by felpro and not the original motorcraft,

[ernie1]

What engine do you have? A 351 or 460 ci? The 460s are notorious for having cracked exhaust manifold.

[coolmom42]

Switch to 89 octane for a while and run a can of Seafoam through the gas tank.

Also..... if that is the original propane tank, it is way past due for inspection or replacement. I would replace the entire tank.

[ol__grouch]

How long did it sit before you got it? I've seen a lot of cars over the years bog down and not want to go very fast. A few things it could be are;

Mice building a nest in the tail pipe plugging it up.

Internally rusted muffler

Slipped timing chain from miles. They usually last about 120,000 miles but a lot of idlingcan shorten that.

Hook a vacuum guage to the intake and see what you get. A healthy engine will pull between 17 and 20 inches of vacuum.

Now, the ticking could be a sticky lifter.

[newman_fulltime]

Assyrian_Elvis wrote:

newman fulltimer wrote:
sounds like valve pinging time for a tune up and good quality gas on the noise

I do use 87 gas, The van has been fully tuned up, changed both fuel pumps, sending unit, fuel selector valve, I use 1030 castrol gtx synthetic oil.

some chevy engines ping on 87 use lucas and some supreme see if it goes away mine does

[Assyrian_Elvis]

WyoTraveler wrote:
If you have a large propane dealer near you they can change out those valves if the tank is empty.

I need to buy the valve for it. I think I can buy it online and have my mechanic install it. Rv places charge too much. Where can I get the valve any ideas?

[Assyrian_Elvis]

newman fulltimer wrote:
sounds like valve pinging time for a tune up and good quality gas on the noise

I do use 87 gas, The van has been fully tuned up, changed both fuel pumps, sending unit, fuel selector valve, I use 1030 castrol gtx synthetic oil.

[WyoTraveler]

If you have a large propane dealer near you they can change out those valves if the tank is empty.