Piston Slap
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
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Piston Slap
First time post.
Read every thread about this piston slap problem but I'm a bit confused about how often this occurs i.e. everytime, only when cold etc.? Acquired a 2000 Lariat with 47,500 miles in October and heard what I believe to be the dreaded piston slap after starting mine up in the middle of a warm December day in Tucson AZ. Vehicle had been sitting from 7:00 in the morning until 4:00PM. Started it up and it sounded like a diesel for about 60 to 90 seconds and then kind of lessened but was still there. It came off of the right side of the motor. I drove it about a mile and could still here it, but then it just disappeared! Took it home and parked it and left it over night, I started it the next morning, the outside temperature was about 45 degrees and I heard nothing, it sounded as it had since I got it, quiet! Three days later and a bunch of cold and normal starts later and I haven't heard it again.
I guess my question is, can this PS be intermittant or is it something that occurs all the time? It definitely wasn't cold when I heard it the first time. When I started it the next morning it was much colder. I saw I wasn't the only owner of a 2000 or later that thinks they might have this problem even though the magic 4/15/1999 had long since passed when my motor was put together in March of 2000. I've got the FORD ESP warranty that was on the truck transferred and I'm wondering if it might be worth pursuing with the dealer.
Any insight anyone has would be appreciated. It's a sharp truck and I enjoy it alot. Lots of great info on the site!! Thanks
Read every thread about this piston slap problem but I'm a bit confused about how often this occurs i.e. everytime, only when cold etc.? Acquired a 2000 Lariat with 47,500 miles in October and heard what I believe to be the dreaded piston slap after starting mine up in the middle of a warm December day in Tucson AZ. Vehicle had been sitting from 7:00 in the morning until 4:00PM. Started it up and it sounded like a diesel for about 60 to 90 seconds and then kind of lessened but was still there. It came off of the right side of the motor. I drove it about a mile and could still here it, but then it just disappeared! Took it home and parked it and left it over night, I started it the next morning, the outside temperature was about 45 degrees and I heard nothing, it sounded as it had since I got it, quiet! Three days later and a bunch of cold and normal starts later and I haven't heard it again.
I guess my question is, can this PS be intermittant or is it something that occurs all the time? It definitely wasn't cold when I heard it the first time. When I started it the next morning it was much colder. I saw I wasn't the only owner of a 2000 or later that thinks they might have this problem even though the magic 4/15/1999 had long since passed when my motor was put together in March of 2000. I've got the FORD ESP warranty that was on the truck transferred and I'm wondering if it might be worth pursuing with the dealer.
Any insight anyone has would be appreciated. It's a sharp truck and I enjoy it alot. Lots of great info on the site!! Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 200
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From: Fort Worth
Welcome aboard
I've had the piston slap since some time in 99 and I rolled 250k in November. The slap is always at first start up and always when it's cold (below 40). Otherwise, I never hear it. It takes a few minutes of warming to go away. Your knock sounds more like an oil flow problem since it was the one time. I would make sure you are using a quality filter with the anti-drainback valve that prevents back flow. You might want to start changing your own oil and spring for the Motorcraft filter and good oil. You can search the posts because I'm sure they have covered this in a slap post somewhere.
I've had the piston slap since some time in 99 and I rolled 250k in November. The slap is always at first start up and always when it's cold (below 40). Otherwise, I never hear it. It takes a few minutes of warming to go away. Your knock sounds more like an oil flow problem since it was the one time. I would make sure you are using a quality filter with the anti-drainback valve that prevents back flow. You might want to start changing your own oil and spring for the Motorcraft filter and good oil. You can search the posts because I'm sure they have covered this in a slap post somewhere.