Hi, guys. Thanks in advance for any advice/info. I know a little bit about vehicles/engines/internal combustion, but not a great deal.

Anyway ... 2007 F150, 4.2L V6, fleet truck, long bed, very very basic vehicle. Bought it brand new, I've put ~2000 miles on it.

When I'm on the highway, about 70-75 mph or so, when I start to go up a hill, I get a little bit of valve rattle. Or sometimes driving home I get some valve rattle. Maybe it's my imagination, but I swear I hear it.

Questions:
-- Is this normal in a new engine?
-- When the valves do rattle, what is it that actually causes the rattle?

Thanks,
--Kerry

 

Sounds like pinging to me. Could be the quality of the gas or possibly the program strategy on the truck.

 

Program strategy?

 

All the trucks have a program strategy. Likely it's set up for best fuel economy ( timing, etc.) so you might hear some pinging here and there. Does it go away when it downshifts? Should be under warranty. Take it in and see what they say.