I have a F150, 4x4, 5.8L, E4OD transmission 3.55 ratio,US gear dual range underdrive. I bought it new to pull a travel trailer. Up until about 4 months ago it has been doing a great job for me! The problem is when I start to pull a grade, the engine etarts to ping, then a few seconds later the engine etarts to cutout and miss. The temp. goes up about 20 deg., and if I let it go I have noticed the speedometer sticks?? This is not consistent?? I recently came back from a 400 mile trip and the truck was showing these symptoms. About half way through the trip the symptoms cleared up and everything was fine???
I have done the following: replace plugs,plug wires,fuel filter,dist. cap and rotor. The timming has been set and the fuel pressure tested(ok). Using premium gas has no effect. I took the truck to the Ford dealer to get a readout of the computer. Everything was normal ecept for some transmission slippage!! If the transmission is slipping it is not detectable on the tachometer while symptoms are showing. The dealer wants to dismantle the transmission?? There must be a sensor somwhere that is sending a signal to advance the timming. Has anyone had a similar problem. Please let me know. Thanks!!

 

I'm towing a 6800 lb. trailer which is under the max limit of 7100 lbs. Truck has been doing a great job until recently.

 

You arent towing more than the recommended weight are you?

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1999 Ford F150 XLT Supercab, Shortbed, 4x2, 4 wheel disc brakes/4 wheel Anti-Lock Brakes, Cloth Seats, Amazon green, 16" All season tires, Soft Tonneau Cover, CD Player, 4.6 liter Triton V8, 3:55 ls, towing package, 4 speed auto, K&N Airfilter
Future Mods:
1)Superchip
2)Airbox Mod
3)Flowmaster Exhaust

Estimated Quarter Mile Time by the use of a calculator and websites:
ET: 16.7 Trap Speed: 83-84mph

Fast46Triton

The Terminator!

 

I just got back from the dealer for the 3rd time on my ping issue (sounds like a spark knock). They once again can find nothing wrong.

I sent a E-mail to Ford expressing my frustration over this issue. They responded today saying that the dealer had submitted a report to Ford Engineering Dept for investigation. I don't know if this is just BS hoping I'll go away and shut up or if it's true. The dealer claims they are seeing alot of Expeditions and F150's with this ping..but I have not been able to find anyone..

My Love is slowly deteriorating

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99 F150 5.4 4x4 ORP 3.73 styleside deep wedgewood blue ..no mods (yet)

 

Dondo 7
It is true that alot of F150's are pinging, and a small amount of pinging is considered normal. I had a 98 4.2 that started pinging early on and for a year Ford said that it was normal. Mine was so bad that it would ping with 90 octane sometimes under load.
Just be patient and let them go through the motions. But if in a few months you don't see any action, take the issue to the highest level you can. Two weeks ago Ford bought my truck back from me and put me in a 99 and only charged me for the difference between the two trucks.

 

I guess that's reason to keep my head up. This stuff really gets to me though ! I guess because I like the rig so much. Thanks for the info.

I'm thinking of getting a superchip or a flowmaster to keep my mind off it

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99 F150 5.4 4x4 ORP 3.73 styleside deep wedgewood blue ..no mods (yet)

 

Well, at least the Superchip will help make you feel a lot better about using premium gas, and you'll have more power to boot!

Seriously, good luck with your truck!

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com