thanks JeffsLightning for your attention to detail , another good attribute, i need to improve on , but the jist of the link is headed in the right direction, lightninrod posted a very informative link pertaining to this subject earlier=http://www.carjunky.com/news/motor_oil/mom1.shtml

by the way JeffsLightning i live in central il area and travel to all parts of surrounding 5 states= (cryogenic truck driver) where do you have your L work done at?Crete il area?

 

I have done all the work myself... The nearest place around here is http://www.paulshp.com/paulshp.htm He is the oly guy around here that I would trust. He is about 160 miles from me...

 

thanks for info .man that guys prices are outragous!

 

Yep That's why I try to do most of my own stuff... See ya

 

I've heard the "marbles" at various times since I drove mine off the dealer lot. I've changed oil at 2K, 6K & 10K miles. The last time I used MC 5w20 synthetic blend. I've used Motorcraft, Fram & NAPA Gold filters. Still have marbles so it's not the filter. I'm going to dump a quart and add a quart of Lucas Oil Additive and add some Lucas fuel treatment for upper cylinder lubrication.
Has anyone tried a gasoline additive or switching brands?
DW

 

I wouldnt use any additives. In fact, Ford will void the engine warranty if any is found in the oil and the engine fails. I'd try going to a thicker oil. It worked for me, per Sal.

 

Frank,
I've always backed away from oil additives but have used the Lucas fuel treatment in several vehicles. It's a fuel injector cleaner and upper cylinder lube. Lucas is big in the racing world and should be able to defend their claims (www.lucasoil.com).
DW

 

This is pathetic!!!!! $30,000 for this thing...? i could put up with an interior rattle or so, but an engine noise is NOT NORMAL!!!!!
Mine has this sound, I also have the "hopping" sensation coming from the rear axle, and my friends 01 burns oil on start up all the time...this is "normal" as well....stop kidding yourselves!!! i cant wait to unload this POS...2 more weeks my new Dodge Ram arrives.....i shoulda kept my 98 SS/T...65,000 trouble free miles no matter what kind of oil or filter was used!!!!
Flame me if you want... but i wont be on this board to see it anyway! no more fords for me!

 

Whit01Lightning, your "hopping" sensation is pretty normal. It's actually called axle hop, and it's very pronounced with solid rear ends like our Lightnings have. That's why they stagger the shocks. But there's only so much you can do to restrain 350 hp at the wheels. Probably why your 98 SS/T launched like a Cadillac.

If this a big problem for you, you may consider changing out to different shocks, adjusting tire pressures, trying truk tracks, etc. Put weight in the bed? LOL... ok sorry, back on topic:

I have changed my oil at 1500 miles, 3000 miles, and plan to change it again at 7000 miles. All with the Motorcraft 5-20 synthetic blend and filter. Anyone on this forum will tell you I am very sensitive about strange noises in my L, so I'd have whined about marbles by now if I had them. Knock on wood! I am considering doing Mobil 1 5-30 at 7000 miles though, so we'll see...

 

No flames from me. I've owned 34 new vehicles (all makes except Bentley & Saab) and I've had some problems with some of them. But I haven't had any problems with my L. The engine noise may or may not be a concern and I won't condem it until I have a good reason.
DW

I've owned a Dodge van, Ramcharger and Dakota. The Dakota was a pretty good little truck but the van and Ramcharger, well I had them less than a year. That's 2 out of 3. Not good odds. So much for Dodge!

 

BMWBig6....the hopping isnt a result of launching...it happens with the slightest of pressure on the accelerator while the steering wheel is turned , like when coming out of my driveway, ive had many cars and trucks with LSD rear ends, that didnt do this. BTW...the 98 SS/T was a nice truck not as fast as the "L" but with a few mods it ran low 14's with 1.9 60ft times, Caddy i think not...lol .....ET's at the track arent everthing, i want a nice driver, trouble free, bla bla bla....
to be quite honest, i would be very concerned about long gevity with this entire driveline.

 

Whit01Lightning, I was just teasin ya about the SS/T. I experience the same hopping too - not just when launching. If I am maneuvering around the parking lot and goose the gas just a little it feels like it's scrabbling for traction. And that's usually what I attribute it too. Too much torque on too little tire with no weight in back. You're right, it doesn't take much gas at all. Definitely squirmy back there but I think it's the nature of the beast. As for longevity, I'd rather have my tires wear out from loss of traction than blow out my rear end or U-joint from putting all that power to the ground... or something.

 

The pins are full-floating ...but a tight pin would be difficult to install + that doesn't explain the immediate noise right after the 1st oil change.

Factory oil fill is 5W20 + a small amount of oil dye to help find any possible leaks during black light inspection (you might have noticed the factory fill looked real green, that's why).

I have heard the noise on an '01 Lightning right after the first oil change (at approx. 100 miles) as well. The one I heard was worse when hot and sounded like it was coming from the oil pump area but I couldn't be sure. I'm still scratching my head at this one - going to try some 10W30 synthetic in the truck next oil change and see what that does.

 

Pistons, pins, supercharger pulley, intake, injectors and SC are the only differences between the Lightning engine and the regular F150 engines (some 150's have forged cranks, some have cast). The oil cooler/filter system is the same as what was used on earlier model F150's.

 

DrTriton - Have you got any ideas on what is causing this and how it can be prevented?