I have a brand new 1999 f-150 with the 4.6l v-8 triton,im seeing all these posts on piston slap and engine knock and wondering if i made a mistake buying this Ford?? What is it,when does it happen and what harm will it do and how do u get rid of it ?? Will this probably happen to my truck ?? thanks

 

Check the 8th Vin on your truck. If its a W, its a Romeo. If its a 6, its a Windsor.
Romeos wont have Piston Slap. Windsor, theres a chance. What happens with PS is that when it gets really cold, the piston shrinks, leaving alot of clearage, so it bangs side to side. The pistons heat up fast, and get back to normal size when started up after 30 seconds. Ford claims no damage to the motor. Ford can replace the motors with a brand new one if they diagnosis it, and its in in within 2-3 days.
Its really no big deal.

And no, you didnt make a mistake buying that truck.

[This message has been edited by fast46triton (edited 01-30-2000).]

 

I checked the vin # it is a W so im ok right ?? What is a Romeo or a Winsdor mean?? Thank you

 

I checked the vin # it is a W so im ok right ?? What is a Romeo or a Winsdor mean?? Thank you

 

I checked the vin # it is a W so im ok right ?? What is a Romeo or a Winsdor mean?? Thank you

 

It indicates where the engine was made. Only a very small % of engines developed piston slap, but as these truck are popular that translates into alot of folks who saw it..

Look in this forum for a piston slap (summary) topic.. It will answer any question you have..

 

rangerr91--

If you do a search on 'piston slap' you will find an incredibly detailed write up another member posted on the subject. It will more than answer all of your questions.

I believe the piston slap problem was fixed in June of 1999 and primarily affects the 5.4L, but not exclusively. I would bet that you are just fine with your 4.6L.

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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99

 

As a Ford employee I have not heard of one engine failure due to Piston slap! My God you just got it and already you are worried? Like Fast46Triton said you didnt make a mistake, Treat your truck with the proper care ane it will last for many many years

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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!

 

Mlaugh,
I'm glad your not the one making decisions on whether ford should replace engines or not for piston slap..
I also have not heard of any mechanical failures due to piston slap, BUT re-sale value will be affected..

If Ford didn't think piston slap was an issue, they wouldn't replace engines that experience it. The fact is the engines that experience this are not working as designed.

For some folks, re-sale value is a big issue.. If you try to tell someone who's testdriving the used truck, 'oh, thats normal', they'd say, 'yeah right'.

FoMoCo is doing the right thing and taking quality issues seriously.

 

Info on Romeo vs Windsor here:
https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/000562.html