After four times in my dealer's service dept for lifter (lash adjuster) replacement due to noise, oil leaks from the valve cover (due to the ealier work on the lifters), and now a rod knock, my dealer has thrown in the towel and agreed to replace my Romeo 4.6 engine with only 4K miles on it. I've asked for them to get a "fully dressed" engine, e.g. everything bolted on at the factory and hot-tested. My concern here is that my dealer (gary Smith Ford in Ft Walton Beach FL) can't seem to do much of anything right with this engine and the fewer nuts and bolts he has to turn, the more comfortable I am. My next nearest dealer is an hour and a half drive so I'm pretty limited in my choices in dealers.

Anyways, for those of you that have gone through this procedure with an FQR engine or otherwise, my question is this : What should I look for when the dealer does this work? Anybody had any problems that I should watch for? I appreciate the help guys. I just can't stand the thought of my truck undergoing open heart surgery, but that's just the way it is.... PS sorry for the long post.

//JQ

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99 XLT 4DR, Romeo 4.6L, Auto, 3.55 LS, Silver Clearcoat Metallic, Capt Chairs, Westin Sidesteps, Ford Molded Mudflaps, E&G Billet Grille, TriGlas Cap, Perrycraft Racks, K&N Filter, Visteon CD-6, TS-A6813s

Future Mods - Granatelli Mass Airflow Sensor, Superchip, Bilstein Shocks, Grille Guard, PIAA Driving Lights


[This message has been edited by Johnnyquest (edited 01-09-2000).]

 

johnny,
cant give you much advice on your ordeal,
but good luck. as far as your lifter problem, was it a steady ticking noise from one lifter, and could you hear it from inside the truck with the doors closed or did you have to open the hood to hear it? I have the 99 4.6 also, and I am hearing a faint ticking noise with the hood up. I am afraid they will explain this away. Any advice?

 

Are we hearing lifters or the fuel injectors clicking?...

 

BINGO! F150Sport has the right question!

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97 F-150 4.6 auto, 4x2, 3.55 LS, WMS Velocity tube, K&N, Dynomax Super Turbo exhaust with Echo tube.
Oh yeah, it's Oxford White with crome wheels, Legacy shell & custom grill!

 

What's the right answer?

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'99 Black F-150 Sport
4.6 Triton

 

On mine, the noise was definitely not injectors. They make a distinct, higher pitch "clicking" noise that you can't usually hear with the hood closed. The noise was loudest under the wheel well on one side - sort of like someone tapping on the head with a screwdriver. Bottom line - if your ear is experienced, you know what injectors sound like, and you definitely can tell the difference between them and other noises.

//JQ

 

Ill need to get my engine replacement, maybe, For piston slap! Yep, I just might have it. Hope it doesnt, because I dont want another motor, I want my one and only, "fast46triton"!

 

Johnnyquest,

Sorry to hear about your engine problems; it sounds like a real nightmare. I was wondering about the oil leak that you have had because I have noticed a similar problem on my 99 4.6. Mine appears to be a valve cover leak but I can't be sure if that's where it is comming from. I noticed a film of oil in and around the bell housing of the transmission but so far no leaks on the driveway. I have also heard an intermittent tapping noise in my engine on cold start-up that goes away after a few seconds. I called the dealership and was told that it is normal because the oil takes a few seconds to pump up the valve lash adjusters. I don't know whether to believe that or not. I understand the old pushrod motor designs quite well but when it comes to these new OHC modular motors, I'll let someone else work on it! (Guess that's what Ford wants)

 

johnnyquest,

I too have a 99 4.6 Romeo (15,000 miles) that has a ticking noise that is really noticable inside the truck with the doors shut. It is also noticable from the front fender well (definitely not fuel injectors).

Two questions to you. 1. Did the ticking noise start after the engine had warmed up to operating temperature? 2. How did you get your dealership to diagnose the problem?

I went to the local dealership here in Tucson AZ (by the way I bought my truck at Key Ford in Pensecola [use to live in FL]), they told me they would document that I stated there is a problem, but until the noise is more distinct (ie, much louder) they couldn't diagnose it.

Thanks for your help, in advance.

 

If it's a faint ticking that can only be heard with the hood up I would say injectors. I also have a Ford Taurus and the injectors tick on it. I think all injectors tick. If it's a louder noise that's can be heard with hood closed, think lifter. So there's an answer for you, don't know if it's right or not. :-) On thing you could do if you have some friends with Fords, pop their hoods and listen to the motors at idle or hit some car lots, might give you an better idea of what the injectors are supposed to sound like and help to identify other, out of place, noises.

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1997 F150 XLT Flareside
4.6, Auto, 3.55, custom catback
Pioneer DEH-305, Alpine 3547, 12" Kicker Comp.

 

For SRB F-150:

I got (insisted) the most experienced engine tech in the dealership (of a total of two) put a mechanic's stethoscope on the heads. If the tech has experience, he will kow what to listen for. When they pulled the rocker arm on my engine, two of the eight lash adjusters were "static", e.g. didn't move when the engine was turned. This is what most people refer to as "collapsed lifters" They replaced all eight. Be aware though that this did not correct the noise for long, but I was lucky enogh to get an F-150 VALDEZ oil leak out of the deal...

//JQ

//JQ

 

JohnnyQuest,
I also have that same ticking from the passenger side wheelwell area but mine is a 5.4L. It seems to get worse as the engine warms up and sounds like a lifter problem. I have piston slap symptoms but haven't had time to take it to the dealer for diagnosis. The only symptom difference that I notice on cold mornings is that the piston slap sound is much more noticeable when I am driving and last for 5 to 10 minutes whereas the TSB says it occures at idle and last only a few seconds. I may be having the same problem that you are having.
Sorry to hear about your problems with Gary Smith Ford. I was going to take mine there for service but I guess I will take it to Key Ford in Pensacola. Don't take it to Orville Beckford in Milton, FL. They have a bad reputation and have treated my grandad poorly. I live in north Santa Rosa county but bought my truck in Pell City, AL (4 hrs away) because I got a better deal there. I hope that Key Ford will treat me right even though I didn't buy the truck from them. We don't have much to pick from in the way of dealer service departments in our area do we?

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99.5 4x4 S/C Lariat, ORP, Flairside,5.4l 3.73 rear, oxford white, 4 wheel disc, 4 wheel ABS,factory nerf bars, 6 disc changer, keyless entry

To mod or not to mod....that is the question!

 

JQ: Thanks for your response! BUT,

What exactly do you mean that after they replaced the eight lashing adjusters, it didn't correct the problem for long? Is there a more systemic problem that will cause a reoccurrance?

My engine was pretty much quiet until 14,000 miles (other than a pretty noisy startup after the engine had bee setting for a few days).

JJ Middleton: How bout Hub City Ford in Crestview? Never had any work done there, but it's only 1/2 hour away from FWB.

SRB

 

Oh Yeah. Forgot about Hub City Ford. Thanks SRB F-150. It would be about an hour drive for me because I live in north Santa Rosa County but it still may be worth the drive. Johnnyquest may want to give them a try also.

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99.5 4x4 S/C Lariat, ORP, Flairside,5.4l 3.73 rear, oxford white, 4 wheel disc, 4 wheel ABS,factory nerf bars, 6 disc changer, keyless entry

To mod or not to mod....that is the question!

 

SRB F-150 - After replacement of the lifters, I drove to the inlaws ~1200 miles, (adding oil along the way to replace what now leaks). When I returned, the lifter noise was the same or worse than it was when this all started. The same tech at GS Ford checked the engine, and now reports that the noise is really lower in the engine, probably a connecting rod bearing (rod knock). This is what led to the call to the Ford engine hotline 1-800-new-Romeoengine. I have not gotten an answer yet about what will happen next or when, despite several calls to the service advisor and to the service manager. They say "when a crate shows up we'll call you" kind of deal. I love the truck, I guess I just got one of the 4.6 Romeo engines that fell just outside the three sigma mark in production tolerances. It's also frustrating to listen to my Dad, who spent the last 15 years of his working life before retirement as the QC Manager for the Cleveland engine plants, tell me that this should be a no-brainer for the dealer - he shipped complete, fully dressed & hot tested engines to dealers routinely. According to him, it's the dealers who make this so difficult for the customer.

Anyways, I'll post any new info as I get it. Film ay 11:00.......

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99 XLT 4DR, Romeo 4.6L, Auto, 3.55 LS, Silver Clearcoat Metallic, Capt Chairs, Westin Sidesteps, Ford Molded Mudflaps, E&G Billet Grille, TriGlas Cap, Perrycraft Racks, K&N Filter, Visteon CD-6, TS-A6813s

Future Mods - Granatelli Mass Airflow Sensor, Superchip, Bilstein Shocks, Grille Guard, PIAA Driving Lights