piston slap - revisited
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
What I hear thru the grapevine is that Ford is going to do complete short-block replacements, and won't be replacing pistons and rods in existing engines with the piston slap problem. The current problem is short supply, as new vehicles for sale are getting obvious preference, just like any automaker does in these types of situations. As soon as they have enough supply of engines, they will probably start doing the replacements. They are concerned about how many engines they are going to need, since once Ford starts on these repairs, they are going to have a small flood on their hands.
It must be one heck of a problem to have, meaning they are selling every new F-150 they can build, and to need many engines on top of that, well, who can imagine accurately what the time frame will be.
Mind you, this is all GOSSIP from the grapevine. YMMV!
Bests,
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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
It must be one heck of a problem to have, meaning they are selling every new F-150 they can build, and to need many engines on top of that, well, who can imagine accurately what the time frame will be.
Mind you, this is all GOSSIP from the grapevine. YMMV!
Bests,
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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Riverview, Florida
Just talked to my dealers service manager,
he verified your stories! It's in the works
for every one with the cold start knock
to recieve new short blocks. We just have to wait for production of engines to pass the demand for new truck sales. He said two or
three months to wait. Also any truck manufactured after march has the new upgraded
engine. well it's about TIME!
he verified your stories! It's in the works
for every one with the cold start knock
to recieve new short blocks. We just have to wait for production of engines to pass the demand for new truck sales. He said two or
three months to wait. Also any truck manufactured after march has the new upgraded
engine. well it's about TIME!
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: DeBary, Florida
The latest I heard from my dealer here in Florida is that within 30 days a TSB will be coming out for piston replacement on affected engines. Did not say anything about short blocks and it doesn't directly address the Lightning, but that can change as they get closer to bringing out the TSB.
I am not crazy about piston replacement only as these dealers generally don't have the machining capabilities for engine rebuilds. I sure hope they don't figure on stuffing new pistons and rings without boring and honing the cylinders.
Blacklight-
Get your truck scheduled for your dealer's service department to confirm what you are hearing. They will then report it to the "hot line" set up for the Lightning. They will require you to leave it with them overnight so they can hear the noise on a cold start the next morning.
[This message has been edited by gearhead (edited 06-02-99).]
I am not crazy about piston replacement only as these dealers generally don't have the machining capabilities for engine rebuilds. I sure hope they don't figure on stuffing new pistons and rings without boring and honing the cylinders.
Blacklight-
Get your truck scheduled for your dealer's service department to confirm what you are hearing. They will then report it to the "hot line" set up for the Lightning. They will require you to leave it with them overnight so they can hear the noise on a cold start the next morning.
[This message has been edited by gearhead (edited 06-02-99).]
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 923
Likes: 0
From: MO, USA
Hooray! (I think) I got a call from my dealer's service department manager today. He said that he was authorized to order me a new motor today - it's about time!
He said that he could get a motor in a few weeks but asked me if I wanted to wait for the "new" motor coming in September. He said they could put a motor in it now but they are not sure that the piston slap would not come back.
The "new motor" he said would have .003 larger pistons and that it would be a tighter motor. Has anyone else heard that yet? Well, I want it to be fixed right. Yanking a motor out of these trucks is not going to be an easy task - one time is plenty. They are going to need a shoehorn to get it out. Anyway, I told him that I would wait.
I have talked to everyone at Ford about this problem. Finally, they have come up with a plan to fix it. I guess we will see if they follow through. I really like the idea that my truck will have a brand new motor at 50K miles. It is the least they can do!
Has anyone else had a motor replaced under warranty? Any problems after? The guys at the service department have 100's of combined years of service. I have no doubt that they are good, but... replacing a motor is like having open heart surgery - things can go wrong (paint scratches, intermitent problems the dealer can't diagnos etc.)
It is hot now where I live and since I put Mobile 1 in the motor I don't hear much piston slapping anymore. I don't know if it's just because of the heat or is it the Mobile 1. It always sounded worse on the cold days! What do you guys think - replace the motor?
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'97 F150 Lariat SC, ORP, 5.4, 305/70/16 AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt nerf bars, fog light mod, partial airbox mod kkirt1@hotmail.com
[This message has been edited by kkirt1 (edited 06-09-99).]
He said that he could get a motor in a few weeks but asked me if I wanted to wait for the "new" motor coming in September. He said they could put a motor in it now but they are not sure that the piston slap would not come back.
The "new motor" he said would have .003 larger pistons and that it would be a tighter motor. Has anyone else heard that yet? Well, I want it to be fixed right. Yanking a motor out of these trucks is not going to be an easy task - one time is plenty. They are going to need a shoehorn to get it out. Anyway, I told him that I would wait.
I have talked to everyone at Ford about this problem. Finally, they have come up with a plan to fix it. I guess we will see if they follow through. I really like the idea that my truck will have a brand new motor at 50K miles. It is the least they can do!
Has anyone else had a motor replaced under warranty? Any problems after? The guys at the service department have 100's of combined years of service. I have no doubt that they are good, but... replacing a motor is like having open heart surgery - things can go wrong (paint scratches, intermitent problems the dealer can't diagnos etc.)
It is hot now where I live and since I put Mobile 1 in the motor I don't hear much piston slapping anymore. I don't know if it's just because of the heat or is it the Mobile 1. It always sounded worse on the cold days! What do you guys think - replace the motor?
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'97 F150 Lariat SC, ORP, 5.4, 305/70/16 AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt nerf bars, fog light mod, partial airbox mod kkirt1@hotmail.com
[This message has been edited by kkirt1 (edited 06-09-99).]
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake, VA USA
Would a few of you PLEASE explain in gory detail what a piston slap actually sounds like? My engine IS noisier perhaps when cold - but I don't really sense any mechanical noises exactly... ??
Member
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Where can I go to keep up to date on TSB's? website please. Thanks, Logan
please email site to lboyd@lsu.edu
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99 F-150 XLT SC Auto 4.2L V6, SuperChipped as of 6/7/99, P255-70-16, 6.5' Bed, deepwedgewood blue & silver bottom, Line-X liner coming soon.
please email site to lboyd@lsu.edu
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99 F-150 XLT SC Auto 4.2L V6, SuperChipped as of 6/7/99, P255-70-16, 6.5' Bed, deepwedgewood blue & silver bottom, Line-X liner coming soon.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
If someone will make a .wav file of the piston slap and email it to me a acbradley@mindspring.com I will post it on my website and all can determine whether they have it or not.
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The Truck: 1997 Black F-150 Flareside. Regular Cab ORP and Towing Package
The Mods: K&N Filter, Eurolid Hard Tonneau and Ford Bug Deflector.
The Site:
Triton's 4.6 Liter Web Page
www.mindspring.com/~acbradley/index.html
[This message has been edited by Triton46 (edited 06-10-99).]
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The Truck: 1997 Black F-150 Flareside. Regular Cab ORP and Towing Package
The Mods: K&N Filter, Eurolid Hard Tonneau and Ford Bug Deflector.
The Site:
Triton's 4.6 Liter Web Page
www.mindspring.com/~acbradley/index.html
[This message has been edited by Triton46 (edited 06-10-99).]
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 1
From: Blue Ridge Mountains, GA
kkirt1: I wouldn't worry about any damage because they are responsible for it. My sister had a new engine put in her Merc. Villager under warranty and it is fine.
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'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6, 5spd, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII Who stole my other 2 cylinders?
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'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6, 5spd, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII Who stole my other 2 cylinders?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: DeBary, Florida
Salzo-
The piston slap noise that we are talking about is quite noticable. I think it reminds me of "rod knock" on an older vehicle, if you have heard that before( you know, a Pinto with a 100,000 miles on it). Another way to describe it would be like running a motor with no oil in it. Mine will rattle for 30 to 90 seconds when the engine temp is at air temp. I don't know why it varies. Putting the truck in gear will quiet it down some but it is still there.
If you think your truck has this problem, I would let your dealer listen to it.
The piston slap noise that we are talking about is quite noticable. I think it reminds me of "rod knock" on an older vehicle, if you have heard that before( you know, a Pinto with a 100,000 miles on it). Another way to describe it would be like running a motor with no oil in it. Mine will rattle for 30 to 90 seconds when the engine temp is at air temp. I don't know why it varies. Putting the truck in gear will quiet it down some but it is still there.
If you think your truck has this problem, I would let your dealer listen to it.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Fremount Ca USA
Hello all,
I Think that I just experienced this problem last weekend. I just stsrted up the engine and drov 100 yards and came to a complete stop. Then I heard what sounded like a Diesel . I turned the motor off and restarted it. The noise has not returned. Also my wife has been driving so I may not be up to date on the noise repeating. I will be going in for the 2k checkup how shouldthis be reported? Is there a key word that Ford Service will understand ?
Bobcat5.4
99 F150 Lariat 5.4
I Think that I just experienced this problem last weekend. I just stsrted up the engine and drov 100 yards and came to a complete stop. Then I heard what sounded like a Diesel . I turned the motor off and restarted it. The noise has not returned. Also my wife has been driving so I may not be up to date on the noise repeating. I will be going in for the 2k checkup how shouldthis be reported? Is there a key word that Ford Service will understand ?
Bobcat5.4
99 F150 Lariat 5.4
Member
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Bassman
How is your engine condition at this stage, how many miles do you have on it. I have a 5.4L engine sitting at the dealer scheduled to be installed Mon July 19/99. It was mfg on 06/04/99. Was your engine from what they call their "Quality Renewal" line. My engine has the "Piston Slap" situation as well although I tend to think it could be main bearings also (they did have some with misaligned main bearing caps) because I can feel it even when it is warm. Any update on your situation appreciated.
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99 F-250SD SC 4x4,5.4l,5spd,4.10ls,K&N,Ram-air,2-Chamber Flowmaster,3' lift,315/75/16 Wild Country All-terrain Radials, Superchip, TPS Set,Dual steering stabilizers, Blue crystal driving lights,Arrow High Top Canopy.
How is your engine condition at this stage, how many miles do you have on it. I have a 5.4L engine sitting at the dealer scheduled to be installed Mon July 19/99. It was mfg on 06/04/99. Was your engine from what they call their "Quality Renewal" line. My engine has the "Piston Slap" situation as well although I tend to think it could be main bearings also (they did have some with misaligned main bearing caps) because I can feel it even when it is warm. Any update on your situation appreciated.
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99 F-250SD SC 4x4,5.4l,5spd,4.10ls,K&N,Ram-air,2-Chamber Flowmaster,3' lift,315/75/16 Wild Country All-terrain Radials, Superchip, TPS Set,Dual steering stabilizers, Blue crystal driving lights,Arrow High Top Canopy.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 923
Likes: 0
From: MO, USA
99SDKT: I also have been told that Ford is finally prepared to replace my motor. The service manager said that although he could replace it in a few weeks, September would bring "guaranteed knock free motors."
Doesn't sould like they are all telling the same stories. I would also be very interested to hear from Bassman. Bassman, where are ya?
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'97 F150 Lariat, Flareside, SC, ORP, 5.4, Mods: 305/70/16 GY ATS, AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt nerf bars, fog light mod and Big Bird mirror toy.
Doesn't sould like they are all telling the same stories. I would also be very interested to hear from Bassman. Bassman, where are ya?
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'97 F150 Lariat, Flareside, SC, ORP, 5.4, Mods: 305/70/16 GY ATS, AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt nerf bars, fog light mod and Big Bird mirror toy.