Engine Clatter

[Ranger354]

My 05 has a little more then 5,000 miles on it and I noticed the engine clattering off and on when I step on the throttle. Almost like I got some bad Diesel. Remember when the the old gas engines used to clatter and everyone said up the octane. Well that is what this sounds like. Lifters rattling or something. I have run 6 or 7 tanks thru her too.

Any clues?

I was at the dealers the other day trying to get a program update and it wouldn't do it then. Never got the update either. Dealers computer broke!

[More Power]

Intermittents are the hardest to troubleshoot. If it reoccurs while you're at the dealership, they could look at a variety of engine sensors - like boost pressure, rail pressure and fuel rate, among other things as a potential cause.

You might have them check for codes in history, but unless you can reproduce it for the tech, you may need to just drive it a while to see what develops.

MP