My 4.2 sounds like a little like a diesel engine. Pinging and rattling sound. Is this normal? It has 32,000 mile on it.

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chodie1

 

MY 4.2 with 36,000 purrs like a very quiet kitten at idle or 70 mph.

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1997 F150 XLT-STX, Reg. Cab,Oxford White, 4.2L, Auto, 3:55, Prestige Alarm System, MPC Wrap Bugshield, Spare tire Shield,
-It's a beautiful Thing!-
Also: 1996 Probe
1998 Mustang
1999 Taurus

 

I am glad that you posted this. My 97 4.2 has also been making those noises. However it has been making it more when it is cold outside than when warm. I am not sure if it is just that the engine needs to warm up.

 

My 99 4.2 is quiet at all times, idle or cruising speed. Get it checked. If thats detonation you hear, it'll do bad things if let go. I know that the upper air plenum if loaded up with carbon will rattle like hell upon acceleration. At idle, it should be quiet though.. Good luck..
Rick..

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"99" F-150 4x2,ext, med red / silver, 4.2L, auto, 3.55's, 265x16's premium snd w/cd, 4 wheel antilocks, leer "too heavy" matching cap, Mobil 1.

 

Karick11
My 4.2 only sounded bad when it is cold, in gear but in a stopped position. But after it warmed up, the noise appeared to dissappear. Should I still look into it further?

 

My 97 w/ 57k has some kind of rattling or tapping noise. I am going to take a chance that it is something minor.

 

jburd, get it checked. I live in upstate NY. Its kinda cold up here and I dont have the noise you are having. Mine does sound like a diesel while you are starting it and for a second or two after. Then there is no noise.
It is perfectly quiet. Beleive it or not, when I switched to a fully synthetic oil, it idled even quieter. Give it a try. But, I'd still have it looked into. Still under warranty??. Use it............
Rick..

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"99" F-150 4x2,ext, med red / silver, 4.2L, auto, 3.55's, 265x16's premium snd w/cd, 4 wheel antilocks, leer "too heavy" matching cap, Mobil 1.

 

Listen carefully, chodie 1, for the noise if you're worried. Both my 4.2s were smooth at idle and at speed, but both had a kind of "header" noise, more pronounced when accelerating. A tinkling sound.

I like it! I remember it from my '69 Mustang. I think it's a characteristic of the engine or the truck, or the combination.

If you really have a clacking sound, like a Jetta diesel, then do something about it. These 4.2s are not known for any kind of piston slap or rod-end noise. But hop in to someone else's truck like yours to see if yours is unnatural, or if it's just a characteristic.

The F-150 is a truck, not a Crown Vic or Town Car. There's not a whole lot of sound deadening material in it, nor should you expect there to be. If you want Lexus quiet, you should expect to pay Lexus prices.

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Black 2000 SC XLT short-box. 4.2 V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 Limited Slip. Side steps, CD, remote entry, FORD box liner. Add-ons: Older Windstar driver's side wiper blade (with the air scoop, because I don't slow down when it rains), back-up beeper, "f150online.com" sticker and snazzy Tweetie Bird floor mats.

My third F-series: '73 F-100, '98 F-150 and '00 F-150. Great trucks!


[This message has been edited by Shifter (edited 03-22-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Shifter (edited 03-22-2000).]

 

Mine is just like Karick11's - diesel like (but not as loud as most diesels) for the first second or two after a cold start.

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1999 XLT S/C, 4.2 V-6, auto, 3.55 rear, dark torreador red/harvest gold, bed liner, Sony 10 disc CD, Edelbrock IAS, K&N filter, Superchip

 

My 99 has always seemed noisy (diesel like), more so when cold.

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99 F150 XLT Silver 2WD S/C 4.2 5-speed, Pioneer DEH P4000, Superchip, Flowmaster muffler // Rear door switch guards - check them out at http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/show/5031

 

I know what shifter means. And, yeah, its hard to pinpoint. My only thought is that you can definately tell the difference between the 4.2 and an V-8. That header sound is a good way to explain it though.
If thats what is heard, no prob. If its a good old dose of detonation, we got a problem here. I bet its the good old 6 cylender noise. How about truckkin on down to the Ford dealer and doing a comparasin!!
Rick..

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"99" F-150 4x2,ext, med red / silver, 4.2L, auto, 3.55's, 265x16's premium snd w/cd, 4 wheel antilocks, leer "too heavy" matching cap, Mobil 1.

 

The V6's are LOUD compared to a 4.6 V8. Not a problem though, they're just doing their work!

 

Could it be the 4.2's fuel injection system? Isn't there a fuel pressure regulator or some such component that causes a ticking noise? I don't know if there is a similar FI system on the 4.6s and 5.4s; if there was, it seems as if they would have the same ticking. Anyway, just an idea.

1999 4.2/5sp XLT XC.

 

my purrs and it halls A$$. and cummon all it's not a caddy.

 

When I gave my 97 up at the end of the lease, i talked with the regional rep for the area. He says the the injectors are very noisy as well, If you take a piece of hollow pipe, and use it like a stethoscope, listen to one of the injectors, you would be suprised!!! BE CAREFUL!!MOVING ENGINE PARTS MAY EAT FINGERS!