Recently I've been hearing an idling noise. Just got back from dealership and they say that what I am hearing is normal.
The past three oil changes I have noticed little ( smaller than sand) aluminum colored flakes in the bottom of my black oil pan. I am really starting to wonder if I have a defective cylinder/piston.
My question, Is it common to find little ( metalic black sand size) aluminum colored flakes in used oil?

please help, I've saved the bottom layer of oil ( from my pan), but do not know if there are any flakes due to their small size.

 

Hmmm....not good. In my 30 odd years of changing oil, I've only seen metal in drained oil once and that was on a 3hp Briggs & Stratton lawn mower engine.

Tell us more about your vehicle: engine, mileage, oil change frequency, original owner, warranty period?

 

10,900 mi., 2001 4.6l super cab, 3:55, original owner, oil change every 3,000-5,000 mi. ( Redline full synthetic 5w-30), K&N FIPK2,
3-chamber flow master...

I baby the truck, somtimes "punch it" on the freeway, no peeling out, no doughnuts, etc. The truck has had a diesel sound to it when it idles since new, but it is getting worse as time goes on. It can be compared to a " Clacking" noise and is worse when cold( obviously). The aluminum colored flakes are very fine and hard to isolate in the oil pan. Just makes me nervous, I've been changing the oil every 500 mi. recently to see if the flakes are there and they have been present.

I went to the dealership and they said the sound was normal, however, they did not know about the flakes and my mechanic hasn't noticed them before. lucky I signed for the 6 year, 100,000mi. warr. !!!!!!!!!! I'll see how it goes for the next 4,000 mi. ( just changes the synthetic oil tonight) and alert my mechanic. If I can get him to vouch for seeing the flakes, maybe the Ford dealer will look into my problem more seriously.

after all, I have 89,000 mi. more till the warr. expires.

what do you think it could be???

 

My suggestion would be to have the oil analyzed, but you need to make sure you get a good sample right out of the pan without any other contamination. If you just changed the oi, then I would wait until you are in need of another oil change. This will show up any wear metals that could be a sign of premature wear or a failed part. Oil analysis should run you in the neighborhood of $10.00 and you can probably find an outfit in the yellow pages. If not, then call a local oil distributor and ask them who they use. If they sell the same brand oil you are using, they might be able to send it in for you. If the results come back with some excessive wear particles, go back to the dealership and demand the problem be resolved. Go to the district Ford rep if the dealership won't help you.

 

Last time I swa metal in an oil pan was on my 77 280 Z. Spun a main bearing.

 

that diesling noise and flakes is due to extrem piston slap and warrents exploritory surgeries, if the dealer doesnt want to fix it then just put in nuetral stomp down on the accelerator and hold it for sixty seconds. i,m sure something will come out of it and hey, your still under warrenty,right?

 

I pretty much agree with his statement. Although I would first try the oil anaylisis thing. That would provide concrete evidence that you tried to get the problem fixed. If they did nothing it would be hard to purposely harm a $3000 motor but in some cases I would do it. You would get Ford's reman motor, FRQ?

 

Navi Man,

good idea about the analysis. Should I try to get some of the particles, does it matter? I will bring it into a performance shop so that they can send it in to Redline for me.

Thanks again!

I will stomp on the gas as a last resort. HAHAHAHHA

 

Just for evidence sake, I would take it to a shop that can pull the sample and document it. That way they can't accuse you of doctoring the sample. For analysis, you want a representative sample of the oil coming right out of the drain plug. If there are unusual wear metals in the oil, they will show up. Good luck.

 

sounds like you have a case of piston slap,good luck tryin to get ford to fix it [new motor]

 

My 2001 4.6 makes this same knocking noise at idle but it rarely does it cold, mine is worse when the engine is warm. I think it has something to do with a head gasket leak.

Ford screwed up the 4.6 in 2001. It was supposed to be an improvement but they screwed it up pretty good. I hate mine, I have never been more tempted to drive a vehicle down a boat ramp. I am currently lemon lawing my truck, I won't miss it.

 

i though PS only affected 97-99 model 4.6 v8's made in windsor

 

Take an oil sample, you can get sample kits from your local caterpillar dealer. When we are looking for problems on heavy
equipment we cut the oil filter open and look between the pleats.
If you use a hacksaw watch for the hacksaw cuttings and a magnet will seperate steel from aluminum.