I'm looking at a 97 F-150 that is a bank repo. The original owner didn't change the oil as needed. When the bank got it a couple of years ago they had the engine rebuilt. They've driven it for about 2 years and put about 20,000 miles on it.
When the rebuild was done they think one of the valves got ground down a little short. When it is sitting idling it sounds somewhat like a diesel. As I said they've driven it for about 20K with it doing this and it's never given them any trouble.
Would this still be a major red flag and/or potentially serious problem? I'm thinking about buying it since it only has 60K total on it. I'm a believer in synthetic oil. I have a 99 F-150 with 310K on it and going strong. I just know it can't last forever and this one might be worth the money.

All opinions and info will be welcome.

Al in Tennessee

 

Sounds like they're giving you a load of crap (IMHO). You should trust gut and pass on this one.

If you are REALLY interested, then take the truck to a shop and have them evaluate/inspect the truck. Hopefully they will be better qualified to determine the cause of the noise.

Unless the price is low enough for you to buy the truck and replace/repair the motor.

 

Hey Al,not relative to your post but I grew up in Lawrenceburg,Tn. and used to go over to your neck of the woods for the Strawberry Festival and played alot of softball tourneys over there. Sure do miss back home. Down here in Tehas these last 18 yrs. making a living and don't get home as much as I would like to. The difference in cultures and climate still amazes me even after all these years..... Go Vols.

 

Who drove it for 20000 miles? "the bank" didn't drive it, and I'd be very surprised if they made it a company car. Suit-and-tie bankers don't drive pickups around.

I try to stay away from machines that make noises they shouldn't. Despite the owner/seller saying "oh, it's done that forever" or "trust me(good indicator they're yanking you), it's fine". Unless I can figure out why it's making that noise, I pass. Between snowmobiles, jetskis, and cars, I've heard lots of odd noises. I passed on most of them since I didn't want to be 200 miles out on a trail and "that noise" becomes "derailed track".

Get a good buddy that knows about this stuff, or pay a mechanic to give it a once over and ask him if the engine still is reliable and okay to drive. Any doubt, pass.

 

Yah you shouldnt need to grind on the vavles to rebuild a motor. At most the valves should just see a strong chemical cleaner, but most of the time you would just replace the valves as you replace the heads...
-Patrick