I have a 98 4.6 with 116,000 miles. Piston slap started an around 50,000 on cool mornings below 50 degrees. It has gotten worse and now does it every morning regardless of temp. Has anyone had an engine failure due to piston slap?

I am thinking about getting a new truck. I usually sell my vehicle myself avoiding getting ripped off on trade. I don't really want to sell it to an individual and have them getting pissed at me, but I hate to loose several thousand on the trade. Will probalby trade the truck back to ford and let them take the hit.

What would you do?

 

Are you using 5W-30 oil or synthetics???

This will give you best protection against cold weather starts...

 

Have always used 5-30w oil since new changed at 3 - 5k with motorcraft filter.

 

I would trade it into a dealer. Dealers have the ability to fix the engine for a fraction of what it will cost you to have it fixed. The dealer will just put a fresh engine in the truck and mark it up accordingly. It's done every day. You win. The dealer wins. And the new owner wins.

It's a WIN, WIN, WIN Situation.

BillVoyles

 

5w30???? It's whole life???? I wouldn't have done that. Why did you? IMO, that's why you have engine noise. That motor shouldn't be noisy. Did you use Penzoil? Sounds like you did. I'm not sure what you do about who gets the problem. That would be a difficult decision. Good Luck

 

If it would make you feel better follow Bill's advice. I would.

 

Bill is right, for your situation just trade it in. They will not fix or sell retail, most likely. They will wind up selling it wholesale ( it is very hard to finace cars with over 100,000 miles ).

My truck is also a 4.6 (Romeo) and has cold start piston slap. Last week I was low on oil. All I had here was Castrol Syntech 5w-50. I used it, and the cold start noise is less and I haven't heard slap since I added the oil. I'm may try switching to this oil to see if how it works over the long haul. I've heard 4.6 are sensative to high pour weight oils (10w and above). It seems the camshafts starve for oil at start-up with the heavy pour weight oil. I've also heard this oil has the ability to greatly lessen oil consumption. Hopefully, Syntech fits the bill.