I have an 02 Tribute with around 40k miles on it and literally over night the engine has started knocking consistently. Does anyone have any ideas? Seems to be coming from where the belt/oil cap/left side of the engine is located. Thanks in advance.

 

Really? Only 40k miles in 16years?

Left side as you look at the engine with the hood up presumably?

Heavy knocking at engine speed is usually main or big end bearings, light tapping is normally a cam lifter.

If it really has done that low a mileage I'd suspect it had oil left in it long enough to turn to sludge maybe? These engines are usually very reliable mechanically if fed the correct oil at suitable intervals.

Worth seeing if it responds to a filter and correct oil change - don't run it until you have done that if you are gong to...

 

41k to be more accurate. It belonged to my parents who gifted it to my son. In fact when he got it there was less than 40k on it. We will try the oil change. Any thoughts on an additive as well? Thanks for the suggestion.

 

You don't need any additives with a decent brand modern oil, I stick by Castrol Edge fully-synthetic.

If an oil change resolves the knocking then I would do a further oil change in around 1000 miles - the reason is modern oils are detergent, ie they clean the engine inside, if it is gunked up then the oil you put in now will quickly get contaminated, hence I'd change it out soon. The second oil change should be good for normal interval.

Don't forget to change the oil filter with a decent brand as well.