I have a mystery noise in my 2002 3.0 Edge 2WD. I first started noticing what I thought was a "ping" at idle only, and it was fairly quiet. Then one day while idling in park, the noise got very loud. The best way I could think to describe it would be a steady "metallic clanking" noise. The noise was steady and seemed to be coming more from the bottom end but who knows. Also the CEL light was flashing at the time. I have noticed that every time I have heard the quiet noise or the loud one the truck was idling at a down hill angle. I have replaced the plugs, wires, and coil with motor craft parts. Also there were no codes after I restarted the engine and the noise went away. Now I can only hear the noise 3-4 times when in park and I rev up to 3K and suddenly let off the throttle.

Please help with your suggestions,
Thanks

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2002 3.0 Ranger Edge 2WD AUTO
Infinity Kappa System
4300K HIDs and KC HiLites

Cam sync ever been changed?

Not to my knowledge

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2002 3.0 Ranger Edge 2WD AUTO
Infinity Kappa System
4300K HIDs and KC HiLites

See if a metallic squeaking sound is coming from the back side of the engine on the passenger side.

Also, how many miles on the truck?

The noise isn't a squeal and 160K

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2002 3.0 Ranger Edge 2WD AUTO
Infinity Kappa System
4300K HIDs and KC HiLites

If the cam sync has never been changed, change it.

Can I please jump in a minute? I was just going to post about MY '03s pinging:
Just bought a very nice, clean '03 Edge (w/3.0 Flex Fuel) and I can hear a faint spark knock while driving at higher (highway speeds) very sure its spark knock, been reading about the cam synchro on these engines..........so there is no actual way to adjust the timing besides to replace the syncro unit? (Thanks!)

BTW: 88k miles and strongly believe the syncro unit to be original.

My engine runs really smooth. so there is NO way to adjust the timing on my original syncro?

Nope. All computer controlled.

That being said, these engines are very prone to "pinging", or lifter noise under loads as well. Unless it's severe, Ford says it's normal and recommends an intake and combustion chamber cleaning.

Try seafoaming the intake and see if it helps.

Gotcha! Thanks! So, what kind of warning will I get if/when the cam syncro is about to fail?

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-Wonder if original spark plugs with 88k on them might also cause my slight pinging? I've heard all this 100k tune up stuff, just not a true believer YET....

What are the symptoms of a bad cam sync? I don't know if the previous owner replaced it or not and I can't afford to throw parts at it till it needs it. Hard to justify a $90 part that might not fix anything.

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2002 3.0 Ranger Edge 2WD AUTO
Infinity Kappa System
4300K HIDs and KC HiLites

If the cam sync goes, the engine is toast. It turns the oil pump. Is it worth $90 ?

Symptoms of cam sync going:

1. Misfire or missing over 3k RPM.
2. Squealing, squeaking, or chirping that increases with engine RPM. Originating from the back passenger side.

88k on original plugs? Yep, change them. One side is single platinum because of the waste spark system. That side will probably be due for replacing. I do mine every 30k because I use normal Autolite single platinums, but double platinum I let go until 60k. I never let them go to 100k.

Any other ideas on what my noise is?

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2002 3.0 Ranger Edge 2WD AUTO
Infinity Kappa System
4300K HIDs and KC HiLites

So, The factory put in 2 different styles of plugs from the get go?

Yep. Single plats on one side, double plats on the other.