Piston Slap in my 97 5.4
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Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Utah, USA
Piston Slap in my 97 5.4
Well, I took my 97 F-150 (that I purchased used, with the extended Ford warranty, from the dealer last year) in to have it inspected for the infamous piston slap problem last night. They kept it overnight so they could start it in the morning.
They had never heard of the problem before so I went prepared (thanks to all the great info on this board) with a printed copy of the TSBs and the Piston Slap summary that was posted by ml (thanks!). I showed it to the service guy and left the truck overnight.
Since I still hadn't heard anything from them by about 3:00pm today I decided to give them a call. The service guy told me that the truck indeed sounded like it had the problem reported in the TSBs! HOWEVER, he said that my extended warranty adjuster was going to come inspect the inside of the cylinders tomorrow for damage before they would warrant the engine replacement...
My questions are these:
Didn't Ford claim that the Piston Slap problem wouldn't cause any damage to the engine? Should I push back on the insurance guy if they tell me that they won't replace it because there is no damage? What do you guys think...
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Truck
1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
They had never heard of the problem before so I went prepared (thanks to all the great info on this board) with a printed copy of the TSBs and the Piston Slap summary that was posted by ml (thanks!). I showed it to the service guy and left the truck overnight.
Since I still hadn't heard anything from them by about 3:00pm today I decided to give them a call. The service guy told me that the truck indeed sounded like it had the problem reported in the TSBs! HOWEVER, he said that my extended warranty adjuster was going to come inspect the inside of the cylinders tomorrow for damage before they would warrant the engine replacement...
My questions are these:
Didn't Ford claim that the Piston Slap problem wouldn't cause any damage to the engine? Should I push back on the insurance guy if they tell me that they won't replace it because there is no damage? What do you guys think...
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Truck
1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 1
From: Blue Ridge Mountains, GA
Looks like they may try to blame the slap on your supercharger. Just get ready to hear it from them. Of course, I could be wrong.
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'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6, 5spd, Superchipped, K&N Air Filter, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, Bell-Tech 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII. Likes straightaways, loves twisties.
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'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6, 5spd, Superchipped, K&N Air Filter, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, Bell-Tech 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII. Likes straightaways, loves twisties.
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Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Utah, USA
Hopefully where I just recently installed the supercharger (and have proof) they won't try and say the supercharger did it... I'm just afraid they're going to look at the engine and say that there is no damage from the piston slap...
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Truck
1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
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Truck
1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 96
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From: Utah, USA
Frank S:
Well, it looks like you may be right. I talked to the tech. at the Ford dealership tonight before they closed and he said that the Extended Warranty Rep. didn't make it over to check out the engine until this afternoon (after it was nice and warm out) so when they started the truck it (of course) didn't make the noise. Fortunately the tech was there to verify that they had indeed heard the piston slap the day before.
In any case, while the Warranty Rep. was looking at the engine I guess he took one look at the newly installed supercharger and started immediately talking about how he doubted they would cover anything with the aftermarket supercharger having been installed...
I explained to the tech (again) that I installed the FORD SVO supercharger only two weeks ago, and he said, "Yea, I know, but it's his job to try and save the warranty company any money he can from these claims..."
Well, the warranty rep. took all the documentation I had on the piston slap problem and said he was going to go discuss it with somebody and he'd get back with the dealer, but he never got back with him today (2nd day my truck has been sitting in the shop now). I'll call them again in the morning to see what they have decided.
Now... I need some help from anyone that knows about this kind of stuff... I thought I'd read somewhere on this board that the warranty company would have to prove that the aftermarket product caused a failure if they choose not to cover a failure. What shoudl I do here if they come back (as I'm assuming they will) saying that they won't cover the piston slap problem because of the supercharger?
Thanks in advance for any help here...
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Truck
1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
[This message has been edited by YamaHauler (edited 12-22-1999).]
Well, it looks like you may be right. I talked to the tech. at the Ford dealership tonight before they closed and he said that the Extended Warranty Rep. didn't make it over to check out the engine until this afternoon (after it was nice and warm out) so when they started the truck it (of course) didn't make the noise. Fortunately the tech was there to verify that they had indeed heard the piston slap the day before.
In any case, while the Warranty Rep. was looking at the engine I guess he took one look at the newly installed supercharger and started immediately talking about how he doubted they would cover anything with the aftermarket supercharger having been installed...
I explained to the tech (again) that I installed the FORD SVO supercharger only two weeks ago, and he said, "Yea, I know, but it's his job to try and save the warranty company any money he can from these claims..."
Well, the warranty rep. took all the documentation I had on the piston slap problem and said he was going to go discuss it with somebody and he'd get back with the dealer, but he never got back with him today (2nd day my truck has been sitting in the shop now). I'll call them again in the morning to see what they have decided.
Now... I need some help from anyone that knows about this kind of stuff... I thought I'd read somewhere on this board that the warranty company would have to prove that the aftermarket product caused a failure if they choose not to cover a failure. What shoudl I do here if they come back (as I'm assuming they will) saying that they won't cover the piston slap problem because of the supercharger?
Thanks in advance for any help here...
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Truck
1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
[This message has been edited by YamaHauler (edited 12-22-1999).]
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 1
From: Blue Ridge Mountains, GA
Hit them with the Magnussen-Moss warranty act. They have to prove the supercharger caused the slap. Piston slap is well documented on this site so I would print out the threads and hit them with that. A supercharger couldn't have caused a defect that was already there in the first place! Good luck.
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Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Utah, USA
Just called the dealer and they told me that they sat on hold with the warranty company for about 30 minutes and then made it through to a recording saying that they were closed for the weekend... losers...
Looks like I'll be waiting a little while longer for the outcome. They're going to see what's going on Monday and let me know. In the meantime I'm going to just go get the truck until they decide what they're going to be able to do...
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Truck
1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
Looks like I'll be waiting a little while longer for the outcome. They're going to see what's going on Monday and let me know. In the meantime I'm going to just go get the truck until they decide what they're going to be able to do...
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Truck
1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
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Thread Starter
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From: Utah, USA
Just for everyone's information. I finally got in touch with the dealership and they told me that Ford Extended Warranty denied the piston slap claim on my 5.4 liter engine because of the 2 week old Ford SVO supercharger I had installed... Looks like I found out about the problems with piston slap a couple weeks too late (or I installed the supercharger a couple weeks too early)...
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1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Autometer Boost Guage. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
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1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Autometer Boost Guage. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 923
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From: MO, USA
Sorry to hear about the case of slap. Man, piston slap or not, I bet that truck runs!
Anyway, if you don't intend on pursuing it further try some Mobil 1. It quieted my slap right before Ford agreed to the new motor.
On the other hand, if you feel like fighting, don't let up. Talk and write letters until you are tired of it. Remember - the squeaky wheel!
Good luck!
Anyway, if you don't intend on pursuing it further try some Mobil 1. It quieted my slap right before Ford agreed to the new motor.
On the other hand, if you feel like fighting, don't let up. Talk and write letters until you are tired of it. Remember - the squeaky wheel!
Good luck!
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: mandeville la
hey YH, I have worked in ford and gm dealerships and for what its worth I have not seen these extended service plans cover repairs after being modified with a sc. you will have better luck going after ford for this piston slap. I was doing diesel head gaskets up to 100,000 miles on 5.7 olds diesel engines under factory warranty-of course if the owner complained.
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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 248
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From: WI USA
YH, I feel for ya man this is a reoccurring theme on this board. If you install after market modifications and go in for warranty work it gets denied. Has any one ever won using this MM Warranty act thing? I think with your case even though you have a SC you can prove when it was installed and the piston slap is a known Ford defect,
go after them man.
go after them man.
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From: Utah, USA
kkirt1
I just picked up some Mobile 1 that I'm going to use for my next oil change (which is due soon).
I'm not terribly worried about the piston slap issue, but if there was a chance of getting the engine replaced I couldn't not try.
lsu76
I got ahold of the extended warranty company today and they told me that I couldn't talk to them directly, that all communications with their claims dept. had to go through the service dept. at the dealership. I have a call into the service manager at the dealership, but he hasn't called me back yet. Like I said earlier, I don't think I'll push this, but I'm at least going to talk to the service manager.
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1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Autometer Boost Guage. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
I just picked up some Mobile 1 that I'm going to use for my next oil change (which is due soon).
I'm not terribly worried about the piston slap issue, but if there was a chance of getting the engine replaced I couldn't not try.
lsu76
I got ahold of the extended warranty company today and they told me that I couldn't talk to them directly, that all communications with their claims dept. had to go through the service dept. at the dealership. I have a call into the service manager at the dealership, but he hasn't called me back yet. Like I said earlier, I don't think I'll push this, but I'm at least going to talk to the service manager.
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1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Autometer Boost Guage. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
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From: Utah, USA
If the service manager claims that it's out of his hands (like I'm assuming he will), I'll see what I can do from there. How would I go about getting the phone numbers for other people that I could hassle about this? Any ideas?
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1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Autometer Boost Guage. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
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1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Autometer Boost Guage. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
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Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Utah, USA
Update:
I just talked to the service manager at the dealership and he told me that he has a call into the Ford District Rep. regarding my claim. He's said he didn't know if they would be able to do anything because of the supercharger having been installed, but he'd explain the situation and see what happens... I reminded him that the supercharger is the Ford SVO supercharger, it's only been on the truck for two weeks, and piston slap is a Ford acknowledged problem that has nothing to do with the supercharger. He said he understood and would get back with me within the week hopefully.
I'm not hoping for much, but at least it's not over yet.
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1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Autometer Boost Guage. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
I just talked to the service manager at the dealership and he told me that he has a call into the Ford District Rep. regarding my claim. He's said he didn't know if they would be able to do anything because of the supercharger having been installed, but he'd explain the situation and see what happens... I reminded him that the supercharger is the Ford SVO supercharger, it's only been on the truck for two weeks, and piston slap is a Ford acknowledged problem that has nothing to do with the supercharger. He said he understood and would get back with me within the week hopefully.
I'm not hoping for much, but at least it's not over yet.
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1997 F150 Lariat, Supercab, Shortbed, 4x4, Black w/Gray Leather, 5.4 liter, 3:55 ls, 4 speed auto.
Mods:
Powerdyne SVO Supercharger. Autometer Boost Guage. Dynomax Catback Exhaust. Rancho RSX 5000 shocks. Custom Superchip. Century 'Cargo Cover' (Hard Tonneau)
