1996 Ford Taurus: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Oct 15, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 77,000 miles · WI

While driving, the engine light illuminated. The consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the transmission. *ak the consumer stated the transmission and engine was in the process of failing.

Filed Jul 3, 2002 · Engine · GA

Noticed a knock in the engine and was going to have it checked out when going down interstate 75 at 65 miles and hour the car lost acceleration in heavy friday afternoon traffic. I was able to get off the expressway and call for help. I had the car towed to a local ford dealer. They have now had my car for 48 days. I was told that the camshaft on the right side of the engine had malfunctioned and would have to be replaced. I was told the repairs would be between $2,800-$3,300. I authorized the repairs. After finally getting the parts, repairing and putting the engine back together it still did not run properly. They had to pull the engine apart again and now said they would need approximately $2,000 more to repair the valves and head. They replaced the valves and were able to machine the head. They put it back together and returned my car after 35 days and $4,400 in repairs. The next morning on the way to work the check engine light came on and the engine was running very rough. Took back to ford after 4 more days I was told the other side of the engine was now malfunctioning and it would cost me approximately $2,000-$3,000 more in repairs. After going to the head of service/parts they agreed to cover the last repairs. I was informed that when the repair was complete that it may happen again. If I would have know all this in the beginning I would not have authorized the repairs.

Filed May 23, 2002 · Engine · NH

Consumer states while driving vehicle, there was a ticking noise, consumer continued to drive vehicle after a couple of days the engine cut off without warning.

Filed Oct 30, 2001 · Engine · PA

The car began making a ticking sound from the valve train area. This noise became much louder over a period of weeks. I took it to the dealer who diagnosed it as a loose sprocket on the rear bank intake camshaft. As a member of the v8sho organization (www.v8sho.com), I am aware of this problem and it's many occurrences. There are now over 30 reports of this exact problem (with occurrences on any one of the 4 cams), and 14 reported failures in the month of october, 2001 alone! This is a design flaw as the sprocket is merely "pressed" onto the camshaft with no other means of attachment. Over time, the connection works loose causing the offending camshaft to spin freely, thus allowing the valves to come in contact with the pistons, causing complete engine failure. Fortunately, I was able to catch this on my engine prior to complete failure. Myself and numerous others have contacted ford directly with little success on their owning up to the problem. The dealer's fix is usually to replace the camshaft(s) at a cost of $1080 ea., for parts alone! That is a temporary solution as the owner is still left with a design flaw, regardless of the fact that it's a new camshaft. My bill will be in the neighborhood of $2000+ and that's without the sprocket actually coming loose! Ford needs to be held accountable for this grossly negligent design flaw!

Filed Oct 15, 2001 · Engine · MO

A ticking noise was heard in engine compartment. Took vehicle to ford dealer for diagnosis. While at dealer, cam gear sprocekt had complete failure, causing the valves to imapct head, resulting in complete engine failure.

Filed Aug 13, 2001 · Engine · MA

Ticking noise from top of motor diagnosed as camshaft sprocket failure by ford technician on my 1996 ford taurus sho, 3.4l, 207 ci v8. Dealership reccommends replacement of the entire motor as parts may take up to 5 months to arrive. I've heard that this is now becomming a common problem on these cars with more reports of them being made known on the internet.

Filed Jun 19, 1998 · Transmission · CA

The transmission does not shift smoothly, it pauses with a knocking sound to the transmission and engine.