I could use some help. I have a 2000 explorer 4wd XLT. I hear a clicking or knocking noise seemingly from the oil pan. This only occurs however, when I put the vehicle in gear. It will completely disapear if I put the truck in park or neutral. The noise seems to follow rpm's, again only if the truck is in gear. A local mechanic wants to charge me $650.00 to take off the oil pan. OUCH! Of course he doesn't know thats where the problem is. The truck has 80,000 miles almost all highway. Oil changed every 3000 miles. I did switch to synthetic at about 75000 Could that be a problem? Please Help. I would appreciat any input.

 

I'm probably just as good at guessing whats wrong as some of the doctors around here, but the oil pan does'nt sound like the problem area, it sounds like the transmission to me ie; when it's in gear it makes the noise. I'd try changing the tranny oil first.(Synthetic too!) But what do I know!

 

The problem has ended up being a streched timing chain and worn out tensioner. In fact its being fixed as I'm writing this. its great to finally find a mechanic who knows something.