I know that this is a ford forum, But I have to ask for some input on my other truck, I just bought me a new F-150 because my wife's Honda Accord was running out of steam, I was driving a Nissian frontier that I bought new from the same dealership that I just bought my new truck, I got me the new truck and let my wife take over the Nissian because I drive a long ways to go offshore (where I am presently at). Just some background on the Nissian, it's a 1998 with 194000 miles, never been in the shop for NOTHING, I do all the maintanance myself, Well I she has been driving the Nissian for less than a month & she called me last night and told me this story. She had left to go to the store about 10 miles from the house, The truck had started to over heat about half way there, she did not stop until she got to the store, She had a guy at the store help her put water into it after it had cooled down. she then began back home, about 3 miles from the house the truck started making sound like someone was hitting it with a hammer ( her words ). and then shortly after the truck shut down and she had to call our son to come pick her up, she said it was not over heating when it shut down but was knocking really loud right before it quit. I called my dad and he went to try and get the truck towed to the house, it was about an hour or two before he got there, he said he tried to crank the truck and finaly started but acted like it was flooded, But once it started it was running fine and he drove it to the house.
Since it was dark by this time he did nothing else.
Today he went back over to look at it and when he was putting water into the radiator there was water coming out from what he said was below the intake mainifold, He said it loked like there was a hard line that ran along side the block, But him being 74 he could not really see where it was coming from. He said he tried to crank the engine and again it was hard to start but finaly started and ran fine, he only let it run for a few minutes. He also told me that when he opened the radiator cap to add water that there was air blowing back out. and when he tried to add water it bubbled back out. I am offshore for the next 8 days and can't do much from here, I am not a machanic but have done a bunch of it over the years, But I am not sure what the problem could be, I am thinking maybe a blown head gasket or cracked head or who knows, But why would it knock like the engine was coming apart.
I know I am new to these forums but I Own a Ford Now, So I figured I could ask the question, Does anyone have any ideas ????

 

I am not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, but it sounds like there are major problems with that motor. Maybe a blown gasket, but if there is a crack as it looked like, then you might want to consider the worth of the truck versus the cost of replacing the engine. I'm know there are guys/gals on this site way more qualified to give you an opinion so you might want to wait for more replies before making a decision..lol. By the way....I see in your info that you have the 5.4L with 3.55 gears. I have the same on my '05 F150...do you feel that it's a little sluggish with that rearend gear???

 

Well to be honest, after driving a 4 cyl for 7 years, I feel like I am driving a Corvette now, But I do plan on a stage 1 kit from troyer within the next month or so depending on the out come with the Nissian.
Believe it or not the Nissian still looks like new. it has allways been well kept and has every option you can get including the factory sunroof, I did same mods to it when it was new as I have done to the F 150. I just got an e mail from a guy with a replacement engine, USED for $950.00, I can put it in, But I may not be up to it, I still have planty of time to think this out before I go home for my 2 weeks off. But this may dampen the stage 1 kit for sure, I am hoping that I don't have to go out and buy another new car for the wife. I think she is hoping that I will let her have the new truck.
NOT, No Way, Never happen.
I love the new Ford, I hate to say it and I hope no ones gets mad at me, But I went to buy a Titan, and then I drove the Ford, The rest is history.

 

I you blew a head gasket and it sounds like you did. when the truck was shut off the cylinder may have filled with coolant and then when it was started bent a valve (hydro lock)
If it was really overheated then there may be other internal damage (bearings)
Is the oil OK or is it milky?

 

what does the coolant look like?if theres any..zap!

 

Oil is good from what I was told, I am not sure about the coolant, But I don't think there is any left in the engine, But My dad told me the dang thing ran like a watch except for it being hard to start, but once started it ran fine, But he did say water was coming out from under the intake mainifold and he only ran it for a minute or so.