2004 5.4 w/ 104k miles

(any input and info would be appreciated. Im not a mechanic, just a do it your self. If im wrong, please feel free and correct )


I wanted to stat this, to help others with this problem, if you have it.
I did i have mis in cyl 1, and on cold start up i can smell like the truck is not burning fuel. (running lean)

The noise sounds like a clicking or ticking when there is more then half throttle(or under load).
No hesitation in response or bogging. Just that noise.(some mite have it)

I started with changing the plugs last night(non broke, thank god) but the pre detonation is still there.

so tonight, im gonna pull the injectors, and let them sit in injector cleaner over night. And change the fuel filter.

If this doesn't work, i will move on and change the injectors.

*Update* possible carbon build up??? im gonna try the sea foam carbon break up stuff. Run the whole bottle in the gas tank.

pix of old plugs. black tips, and smell of fuel from not burning right.

 

Does the detonation go away if you use high octane gas?

 

ive always used the best gas. chevron supreme, and no it doesnt..

 

If all you use is Chevron, the Seafoam won't help. Chevron gas has Techron in it.

 

Think your chasing the old boog a boo. Phasers and chains and the Ford service memo of parts to put in. You're mnot too lean so a vacuum leak is probably not. You have no codes for retarded camshafts? Pinging is a rattling and detonation is a really bad sound. Detonation will break pistons, while pinging will burn them. Burning 91 or higher octane gas really isn't required by ford. It actually caused more problems. I would decarbon, or get back to 87/89 octane gas. Unless you pull really hard loads a lot with hot weather. After you change gas try some 5w30 oil. Are you blown? If so, check your intake tube for a crack.

 

i dont pull loads often, i look it to the dealer, and i had one service manager take a ride with me. i didnt tell him what i thought the sounds was, and as soon as he heard it he told me it was pre spark det. yes its blown, and i checked the intake lube, no cracks. also im in Alaska, so theres not really hot weather that rises over 90. if ever. the best fuel they have here is 90, and i dont add octane booster to it. i just added techrons injector cleaner to see if that helps.
and no codes for retarded camshafts. only code i did have was the miss in cyl 1, but its gone now.

 

Also, the noise only happens while driving, wont do it if i just rev up.

 

I own and play around with supercharged Mustangs. I know the importance of a good tuned combo. If it were me, since it is supercharged I would take it to a reputable tuner/Speedshop.

Put it on the dyno and check the air/fuel ratio thru out the entire rpm range.

A lean condition will eventually if not sooner destroy that engine. Pinging/detonation is not something to take lightly.

Power adders (anything with boost) typically require 93 octane or better. If you are only running 90 octane fuel with the supercharger, I hope you have a custom dyno tune for it. Not a canned tune from the Internet.
Good luck

 

As I began to realize you may be blown, I came to the realization you are very lean. Looking at your spark plugs they are stainlessly clean. A normal aspirated motor woul have carbon. I would change the tuning to a more moderate spark advance. If you have a code reader that maps PID's in graphs during real time running look to the timing. Check your fuel pump driver module, fuel pressure and filter for problems. If you have changed your exhaust to a very open dual system and cold air intake would mess things up also with the gas you have. If you find nothing enhance your gas with octane booster and see if it helps. A way to raise octane is propane injection or other injection process other than nitrous. Your in a serious situation of motor life, you certainly don't want to run leaner. A long time fix is to slow down the blower to a more sustainable boost. You may already have some piston erosion, things are heating up on you in there. I would keep the motor at an even torque not pulling it down on hills etc. One way to lower temps for summer is a 140 degree thermostat if you are doing shorter 10/20 mile trips. On a longer run the motor will still probably heat er up. If desperate, I would add a qt of diesel at the fill up, that would slow up the pre-ignition. You are kinda doing the Seafoam thing, lubing the top cyl area, just cheaper. After that I would use a couple ounces of it to even out the fuel, looking to tuning and fuel injection/Blower mods to ease up the thing some, unless you find better octane remedy.

 

great info man, thanks a lot!!

 

Supercharger + detonation = pistons with holes in them.

Get it to a dyno tuner NOW or disconnect the blower.

 

ill be headed to a dino/tuner real soon, its just 350 miles away. and if i cant find a trailer then ill have to drive.

 

Can you pull the belt?

 

i could but would have to buy another smaller belt, and will the truck run right without it? since its hooked up to the intake an mass?

 

I had one once that had a rattle in it as you drove a steady 50 mph with out a pull to the motor, it turned out to be a faulty injector starving the center cylinder on 2nd bank. Didn't find any cyl damage with a bore scope. Maybe upping your injection fuel PSI a couple psi will help you get to tuner along with putting a larger pully on the blower. Bing whip;ple drive pulleys. You should be getting codes for O2's and catz.