I'm new to this forum, so I'm sorry if this message gets long, but I have a few comments and questions.

I have a '97' F150, 4.6L (Windsor) engine with 42,000 miles on it (My truck looks like it just came off the showroom floor). I took it in for service for a popping noise in the front end, door dinger not working, and a 'thunk' noise in the rear end (on occasions).

To my amazement, when I got the truck back, it felt and drove better than it did when I drove it off the lot. All the invoice said they did was replace the ball joints. The ride is stiffer, the 'thunk' from the rear end is gone, the brakes were cleaned and adjusted (about went out the windshield when I hit the brakes). They still have to replace the ignition switch to fix the dinger (it's on order), but I can't believe the service I got from my service rep. She said her foreman greased and adjusted just about everything. Seems to have more power than it ever had also (and it has always run very well).

Now the question: I've read through the forum about engine noises , and mine has started sounding like my old Chevelle that had solid lifters in it. It gets quieter after it starts getting warm, and stops after it's totally warmed up. It only does it after it's been sitting over night or for several hours out in the cold. Any ideas? It's not piston slap, but sounds more like the lifters.

Question #2: The catalytic converter stinks to high heaven, and it has also done this since new. What causes this?

I would like to get anything that is wrong with the truck taken care of before the extended warrenty runs out in May (I have only put 6,000 miles on the truck since I bought the warrenty, talk about a waste of money).

Thanks, and sorry about the long post.

 

At Least in mine, Piston Slap amd lifters sounded a whole lot a like...

 

gmt,

#1) As far as your "lifter" noise, my personal experience tells me you should use a lighter weight oil and a better filter. Which oil/ filter combo are you using now? When I switched to Mobil 1 5w- 30 and the Motocraft 820S filter with the silicone anti drainback valve, my "valvetrain noise" was cured.

#2) Smelly cats...Smelly cats....What are they feeding you? The cat converter smell could be and I repeat could be coolant leaking into the combustion chamber.

If I were you I'd spend the 12 to 20 bucks to have an oil analysis done. BEFORE the warrenty runs out.

Good Luck,

Bill

 

As far as the comment goes, above...I agree with running a better filter to knock out the noise, but I don't agree with running a lighter oil. Obviously, you wouldn't use a 15w-50 oil in our trucks, even after 100,000 mi. I, personally, wouldn't use even a 40 weight oil. If, however, you are using a 10w-30, there shouldn't be ANY problem. From what I have heard and experienced, the silicone valve on some of the oil filters make an audible noise. I've experienced this with K&N filters. Upon making the connection that the filter was the cause of the "Clacking" lifter like noise, I switched back to the FL820-S. This seemed to quiet the sound. What made an even more noticible improvment was when I decided to buy a SuperChip. Now, the noise has been completely eliminated.
As for your stinkin cats... They will smell funky...mine do, too. I think its just them doing their job. If you use Mobile 1 synthetic the exhaust will even smell a little sweet.

Good luck with your ride!

 

I'm using the FL-820s filter and 5w-30 Castrol oil. I have been using both since I bought the truck new, but it has just starting making the noise the past month or two. I told Ford about it when I was in for service, but their response was "could not duplicate noise at this time". They want me to leave it overnight... guess I might have to do that. I hate leaving my truck somewhere, like I said, it still looks like new. I sure hope it's not the dreaded Pinston Slap.
Like I said... the catalytic converter has smelled since day 1.

Thanks again.

 

If you are still on warrenty, you might as well have Ford look at your truck. This will satisfy any need for proof, later, in the event that something goes wrong after your warrenty period expires. It's good to have something on record in the event that there is a problem. What Ford told me was that the "clicking" noise was comming from my trans. bell housing. I had them take my truck over night and listen to her in the morning at cold start up. To me, the noise was most prevalent around the front right wheel well, about block level. I had earlier ruled out injector noise. My mechanic, who worked for United Airlines in their maintanence dept., re-affirmed that the sound was, in fact comming from the block. Another thing I've often wondered about is the Factory timing issues. I've heard that the factory, in an effort to make our truck more fuel efficient and run on a lower octane gas, retards the timing. I don't know if this could be the cause of such a noise, but when I installed the SuperChip the the lifter like noise became non-existant.

In any case, good luck and don't take any Shat!

 

Did yours only do this in the morning after sitting, or after sitting for several hours out in the cold? I'm amazed at the get-up and go that the truck has, but after taking such good care of it for so long, I hate to think I'm having engine trouble starting. Guess I'll have to leave it at Ford and see what they say. My new service rep. has been really good to me so far (A real good looker too, I might add).

Thanks.

 

gmt-

I doubt highly that you are having any real engine problems, especially since you've been thorough with mainten. I find that the noise is loudest at cold start up, then deminishes as the engine warms; but, I have also noticed the lifter (hydrolic lash adjuster) like noise at idle, when the engine has been warm. It's unpredictable. And, the funny thing is...the noise doesn't have anything to do with the trucks performance. My truck runs strong despite the noise. Like I said, it could have something to do with the timing issues installed with the factory program (just a guess). If Ford doesn't find something wrong (I don't think they will),and if still irritated by the noise, I'd recommend getting a SuperChip. As soon as I installed the Chip, the noise was gone. Now my truck sounds like a well oiled machine, not a clunky piece of aluminum. Mike T. in the Computer Chips Forum is well versed in this topic. Check it out.

Good luck!

 

Since you got the chip, do you now have to run higher octane fuel.
Also, is your engine a 4.6l... and what year?

Thanks for all your help.

 

One of the drawbacks of the chip is that you do have to run high octane fuel. Here in California, the highest grade (premium) we have is 91 octane. To tell you the truth, I was running 91 octane before I installed the chip. I have a 2001 4.6 ltr.

Happy New Year!

 

My '99 5.4L had a knock coming out of the oil pan anytime it went below freezing. I decided I better do something before the warranty ran out. I called the Ford dealer where I bought it and not surprisingly, the service manger hit me with excuse #3 straight out of the SMH. [ Service Manager Handbook ] "Oh, they all do that" he said. So I hit him with snappy comeback #2 out of the RICH. [Really Irritated Customer Handbook ] "Save me the bulls*** and just fix the thing!" I figured even if they find nothing, I will at least have a paper trail in the event the noise gets worse. Well, imagine my shock when I called later in the day and the service guy informs me my motor has come down with the dreaded piston slap and I will be getting a new one free of charge! Dammit, I was all ready for an argument! Anyway, he also said that they were replacing some motors even though they were out of warranty. So you should at least give it a shot. Feel free to use any snappy comebacks out of the RICH that you like.

 

I still have to take it in for the iginition switch repair, so I told my service rep. I will leave it over night for them to check out. I plan to be there when it gets started up the next morning. I will have to see what happens from there.

Thanks.