Thanks for replying guys. I'd still like to hear from more of you guys that don't have this noise.

Now I know how Tundra feels trying to keep count on the intercoolers - it's tough scrolling, reading and counting. It looks like so far 15 have rattled and (counting replacement engines) 19 do not rattle. So, I'm left with this conclusion - forged pistons do not have to sound like sh*t!! My Vette didn't. And the post I read about sounding like a ball peen hammer in the block is dead on. That isn't "normal", I don't care what SVT says.

Keep coming with the "quiet" posts! I need ammo.

 

My L does not have the Engine rattle and I have around 5500 miles on it now. I did have a lower pulley assembly come loose and created a rattle sound when in gear at a idle, The dealer fixed it around 4500 miles.

So far no big problems....

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2000 Black Lightning
1972 Gran Torino Sport

 

I've got a rattler, 13000 mi., mostly hear it at startup but will also hear it stopped at lights sometimes. Always at startup and sometimes when at operating temp.

'00WhiteLightneen

 

Engine is quiet until the twin screws start howling...

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99.5 Lightning
Gone but not forgotten
01 picked up on 5/5/01
hud@mc.net

 

I do not yet have my L, coming soon probably in a week or so. Anyway I Just thought maybe it would be interesting if we could come up with a list of people you have the noise and what mods have been done and what oil they use and any other pertinent info and then compare to those who don't and their mods and oil and such and see if there is a pattern or some kind of random time bomb.

Just a thought and Also maybe the build dates and possibly what part of the country they live in just to see if we can come up with a pattern. You would think ford would have done this, but they must not have the time.....

Any thoughts
Paul

 

twiztid. Yes your manual does state to use 5w-20 oil. As a matter of personal pref. I have always used Red Line synthetics in my vehicles. They do not make a 5W-20 grade oil so that's why I went with the 5W-30. To my knowledge the manual does not say anything about the 5W-20 being synthetic. If they are referring to a conventional motor oil it has a tendancy to thicken under higher temp's anyway. The synthetic is less susceptible to this. Also the heavier weight oil should help with any piston skirt-cylinder wall contact (slap), valve stem, cam and bearing wear and yet not to thick as to be detrimental to the ring pack. As I said before this is my personal pref. and by all means you should do what your manual states.

 

My 2k silver L has a rattle at startup i hadnt heard it but my dad cought it one day when i was moving it to was it. I have 23k on it and after hearing all this im goin to get the extended warranty. I had my i/c replaced and Duthler Ford a couple months ago, they kept my truck for 2 weeks the ******. Tomorrow ill listen and see if it rattles more that just at startup.

 

BTT

Come on, let's hear from the "quiet" owners!! I know you exist.

 

2001 with 1400 miles, no noises.

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01 Silver Lightning-no mods yet!
00 S281 Speedster - 312 rwhp 383 rwtq
98 GSXR-750 - 123rwhp

 

"01 L 875 miles and no noise.

 

White 99L #3246 15,000 miles

No piston slap. No wierd noises. No intercooler leak. (knock on wood)
Never raced, never abused. Ever.
I changed the oil the day I brought it home from the dealer. Then every 2,000 miles. Switched to synthetic at 9,000 miles.
However... I believe that a person should be able to drive these trucks enthusiastically without fear of the engine and transmission self destructing.
Sadly enough I am considering getting rid of the L before it's bad reputation spreads to the general public and the resale plummets even further than it already has.
I will say that out of all the cars and trucks I have owned, this is probably the one I will remember the best. Everbody I know loves this truck. Always getting waves, smiles, people turning to get a better look. Men, women, children, blue collar, white collar. Etc. Even the officer who wrote me up for "no front plate" liked it. Even the person that keyed the whole side of it when it was 3 months old probably liked it, they were probably just jealous and bitter cause they didn't have one..... sigh.

 

2000 #1760 built the same day as your's I think.5700 miles pro-M 80 & filter no noise and I've been listening, The Mark VIII I traded in was on the 3rd engine I've been down this road before I hope not again.

 

my old 99 didnt have any probles other than the clunk.No intercooler leak no piston slap NOTHING.I still kinda wish i kept that one.Id owe a lot less on it right now and it seemed a little stronger (felt) than mine at highway speeds.It was running 13.2s when the chips first started coming out and thats when MOST people were running 13.4s and 6s with chip//filter mods.Chips have come along way and so will the 01 chips in time I wish i knew about the boost shut off plug back then,I ran over and over losing boost and the one time I didnt,I spun ALOT and still pulled off a 13.2@104

 

I have '99 4.6 with 88K mi on it, and she has had that wicked rattle since I got it brand new, and I'm not too concerned. Where I work, we lease and rent 150's with the 4.6's to contractors and construction companies long & short term. Most of the '97s in our fleet have 110 to 130k miles on them, and the 98-2001 have unusually high mileage for their years. These guys that rent them tear them up, don't change the oil on time, and basically neglect them altogether. And I have not seen one yet, rattle or otherwise, that has needed to be rebuilt.
I change the oil on mine and that's all I've had to do since it was new...not a single problem. I've also owned a 97 and 98 with the same motor and never had a problem either.
What I'm getting at is these trucks are good trucks, not perfect, but the trans problems on the Dodges, and overall poor quality of GM's are a lot more to be worried about.
The rattle is annoying and Ford should solve the problem once and for all, but the did an awesome job on the other 99.5% of the truck.

 

2001L 4600mi no mods no slap or any other problems for that matter