I got this from an Expedition mailing list. It is supposed to be an animation of the piston slap problem.
http://www.fev.de/nvh/pslap.htm

 

KCDAN: Thanks for your reply, well, my engine's pecularities currently don't sound like what you described, at least not as loud as you've described. I'll keep monitoring it.

ML: I went to that URL that you posted, I always thought that piston slap did resemble what was depicted there. However, it was recently remarked on this thread that the sound is actually being caused by the connecting pin in the head of the piston, also involving the incorrect fit of the sleeve that the pin is pressed into. Whatever the exact nature of the problem is, I hope that it's not widespread....

PS: Hey KCDAN, how you like that contour ;-)

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1999 F150 4x4, dark blue, 5.4l auto, Manick brush guard, KC Hilites, tinted windows, K&N air filter without airbox, Gibson side swept exhaust, bedliner, toolbox, Uniden CB with whip, and now, a mild developing case of "piston slap", but that's OK, Big Blue says that he'll hang in there for a while...

 

I called the service department and they are
road testing my truck right now, so unless something wrong is detected from the roadtest
i should be getting my truck back with the new FQR motor this evening i am more than ready to see and hear the results.

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97 F-150,XLT,4X4,Supercab,bright Red,5.4,3.55 LS,LT265/75/16 Bridgestone Dueller A/T tires,Downey SST soft tonneau cover,56,000 miles with piston-slap motor being replaced as we speak.

 

Ford tough 1:

I am not sure what version of the engine I will get. My dealer is not long on details (as usual). Naturally I hope it has more HP and with any luck it will. It still has not arrived yet even though it was ordered 27 days ago with the promise of a 10-14 day delivery window. HEY, did one of you guys scoop my engine? hehe...

 

Well i picked up my truck last night and have
not heard any piston slap yet, so at idle it sounds good, but now i have a nice hesitation/vibration/missing at about 1200-1500 rpms, it sure is nice to have gotten rid of a bad sounding engine and getting one that actually feels and reacts
badly at take-off, glad i had the engine replaced as well as air-filter, fuel-filter,
transmission fluid and filter and serpentine
belt to put my truck back on it's feet again.
but i will admit at all other rpm's it does
seem more powerful, and smoother. I made the dealer aware of this and they will be getting
it back very soon to figure it out. Well i would not have know what to do just quitting
the conversations with the service manager cold turkey anyway..

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97 F-150,XLT,4X4,Supercab,bright Red,5.4,3.55 LS,LT265/75/16 Bridgestone Dueller A/T tires,Downey SST soft tonneau cover,56,000 miles with piston-slap motor being replaced as we speak.

 

Yea, I know what you mean KCDAN! I am kind of missing those guys at the service department! hee! hee!

Sorry to hear about the hesitation though. I'm sure they will be able to troubleshoot it!

Have you noticed any loud popping sounds coming from underneath? Mine sounds like something is breaking loose. I'm sure it is only the exhaust in a bind somewhere but I can't seem to it. Maybe I will go see my friends in the service department after all!

 

Hah! My new engine is in. Apparently they are giving me the new 300HP Navigator engine since I waited so long! Well...maybe not. I will find out tomorrow. Keep you posted.

 

Oh well, not 300HP but it sure looks pretty! It is a long block complete with heads, water pump etc. It will be a couple of days before I get to try it out. Now I will really find out if the pit crew at my local dealership know what they are doing.

 

KKIRT1 i have not heard any popping noises as of yet as you described. My engine sure sounds different now, The best way i can
describe how it sounds is to say it sounds like a very quiet diesel engine. i am
probably just too sensitve to sounds now with
all the piston slap crap, and the poor low
RPM performance of the new engine, i just need to take it back, the more i drive it the
more upset it get... oh well i guess it gives
me something to complain about...


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97 F-150,XLT,4X4,Supercab,bright Red,5.4,3.55 LS,LT265/75/16 Bridgestone Dueller A/T tires,Downey SST soft tonneau cover,56,000 miles with piston-slap motor being replaced as we speak.

 

I have had my F150 for about a month now...about 1200 mi. Engine build date 3/22/99. I'am not sure if I have piston slap but I have always notice a distinct diesel engine sound on cold mornings. Lasting about 15 to 20 minutes and then seems less noticeable. It does not sound like a knock, but if you did not know better you'd think it was a diesel. Also notice rough idle. I even mentioned it to the salesmen during test drive. I was led to beleive all was normal. Should I get this checked out?

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99 F150 SC Lariat 4x4, 5.4L

 

Hey Rodman, my engine build date is 3/23/99.
I was hoping Ford had done something about this but, I guess soon we'll be hearing from 2000 model owners and their 'diesel' sound.

This is scary. Even if you use protection you can still get the slap.

I guess the only way to deal with it is to do some serious audio mods.

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99 Lariat R/C 2WD 120"WB 5.4 3.55LS Tow Dark Toreador/Gold Line-X
raoul_oba@hotmail.com (Virginia)

 

Has anyone tried to take this issue Ford on an out of warranty basis? I am still steaming about the response I got concerning my cracked doors from FOMOCO.

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97 F150 Lariat 4X4 Ext. Cab. 5.4, AT, Gibson Side Swept, K&N, Bosch Platinum +4's (Both doors cracked:-( )

 

Rodman: The sound that you described is exactly what my truck exhibits, it was especially clear on this cold morning. Kinda sounds like "kada-kada-kada-kada". I can hear it after about 1-2 minutes after starting the engine cold, and it seems to last for about 10-15 minutes. Never sounded like that when I first bought the truck. When I take it in for its second oil change, I'm leaving it overnight so they can start it up first thing in the morning and listen to it.

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1999 F150 4x4, dark blue, 5.4l auto, Manick brush guard, KC Hilites, tinted windows, K&N air filter without airbox, Gibson side swept exhaust, bedliner, toolbox, Uniden CB with whip, and now, a mild developing case of "piston slap", but that's OK, Big Blue says that he'll hang in there for a while...

 

I just put my truck in the shop a few minutes ago. They are putting in a FQR motor. They should it be done by tommorow evening, so I will post the results when I get it back. This whole weekend I have been running it at 5000 rpms continuously. I ran 4,500 rpms for about 10 minutes. When I was taking it to the dealership I had it in 2nd gear at 80mph it was kicking o the rev limiter at 5,000 rpms.


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1997 4x4 5.4 ORP XLT extended cab Dark Toreador red Westin nerf bars tint HARDER THAN A ROCK AND FASTER THAN A HEART BEAT

 

Update: My 97 had the knock any time the temp dropped below 40F. I changed over to Synthetic oil and added slick 50. This morning temp was 36F and no knock on start up. Will keep you posted on further results. (Yes, I am beyond the 3/36 warranty,and am trying anything to save my $ in engine replacement)

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97 F150 Lariat 4X4 Ext. Cab. 5.4, AT, Gibson Side Swept, K&N, Bosch Platinum +4's (Both doors cracked:-( )