I had to put off getting my engine worked on until next week, so to pass the time I was wondering if anyone else has experienced my particular knock pattern...
In two other engines that I have experience with bad bearings, it was pretty obvious, a hard metallic knock like it was being beaten to death with a ball peen hammer at startup thru shutdown...
But my 4.2 is different, at cold startup it sounds just fine, no knock that I can hear, even if I hit the gas. But as soon as it reaches operating temperature, out comes the hammer! First noticable when changing gears, then a little while after that, you can hear it at idle. Every day its the same pattern, and I'm baffled about whats going on in there.
Anyone have any ideas/experience with this?
Maybe I just need some new muffler bearings or a tire stem lube job?
Thanks...Chester

 

probably have a miss fire???? i'm new to the ford's personally and i just have had my running again first time since dad blew the motor... and seized it.. but now i still have to figure out what's wrong :S but sounds similar??

 

Try changing the blinker fluid.

 

Chester,

If your engine is knocking at idle, we can probably rule out detonation or pre-ignition, so it sounds like a much more serious problem than simple air/fuel mixtures or gasoline grades. Could be a bent rod that only knocks when it heats up and expands. It's hard to diagnose without actually hearing it, but I'd take it to a mechanic and have him listen to it as soon as possible. Perhaps perform a compression test.

What year is your truck, and please don't say a 97 or 98. Cause if it is, this is probably your problem. www.leakingfords.com

Tom

And if that doesn't work, i'd probably try applying a small layer of peanut butter to the tailgate handle.

 

Yep, Busa, its a '97...already had a front cover gasket fail in 2001, but its starting to lose water again...
I think I'll pull the oil pan this weekend & give the bottom end and connecting rod bearings a close look, its driving me crazy not knowing whats knocking like that...
I'll keep ya'll posted on what I find...

 

You have to replace BOTH gaskets, not just the front cover. The bottom one needs to be replaced also. That's the problem, your already leaking fluid and knocking, so it's already too late!!

Bummer, sorry.

Tom

 

Yep,one of your cylinders,#1 or #4,has filled with coolant and hydro-locked. The end result is what you are hearing,that haunting hammering sign. You can get a rebuilt short block for about $800.00 to $1000.00 or a long block for $1500.00 to $2000.00. Good luck!

 

My mechanic said he'd have a firm quote for me on Monday, so that thump ya'll will hear (other than my engine) is me hitting the floor!
I looked back at my paperwork from the 2001 fix, and didn't see anything about lower intake gasket repair & never heared anything about it, I guess they figured I'd find out about it on my own!!!!
It kinda hurts that Ford sold me a dog...

 

Chester,

How much? Did you get the quote yet??

Tom

 

He didn't call me today for some reason, I'll give him another day then call him otherwise...

 

Ahhhhh; the suspense!

 

Well, heres the best deal I could put together, based on a worst case senario...
Install new long block, replace clutch & master cylinder==> $3946.52......
Damn, I was saving that for a bass boat.....

 

Wow, that's expensive. You can purchase a high performance engine from Jegs and install it yourself for THAT price. Jeez!!

Is the knocking really really obvious, or can you trade it in on a new or used vehicle without them noticing it. If you can, just get rid of it. you can use that 4k as a down payment on a brand new truck.

If it were me, I wouldn't spend that much on something that just might break again.

If you have insurance on it, leave it parked in a really bad neighborhood with the doors unlocked and the keys on the seat

Tom