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Knocking sound from lower engine

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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 01:41 PM
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Knocking sound from lower engine

Hey I have a 2001 f150 super crew 5.4 with ~230,000 miles XLT lariat rwd. So I recently (3-ish days ago) developed a knock from what sounds like the lower end of the engine. I went ahead and changed the oil in it again to see if that would help. Just changed it last month. I’m uploading a video of the sound now, and a picture Of the old oil

...won’t let me upload video
 
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 01:50 PM
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The metallic swirls in the oil are not a good sign. If its a knock its a rod bearing, if its clacking its the timing chain hitting the cover because the adjusters are blown out.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by ford390gashog
The metallic swirls in the oil are not a good sign. If its a knock its a rod bearing, if its clacking its the timing chain hitting the cover because the adjusters are blown out.
what would you recommend? Could I send you a video of the knocking?
 
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 01:54 PM
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First step would be pull either valve cover, take a look at the slop in the chains.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by ford390gashog
First step would be pull either valve cover, take a look at the slop in the chains.
okay when I can find some time to do that, I will.
however I just did a quick test with my wife’s help. I had her drive it forward and reverse both slow and with speed and there is no knocking. The knocking only seems to be there at high idle. Not sure if that means anything, just thought it was interesting. What do y’all think?
 
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 03:29 PM
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Timing chain slapping the cover.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by ford390gashog
Timing chain slapping the cover.
My apologies for lack of knowledge when it comes to these things. But if it is loose, what do I need to do? Is it as simple as tightening it?
also the strongest spot to hear it from is the driver side wheel well. You can’t really hear it on The front and passenger side. You can but not nearly as noticeable.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 03:37 PM
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It would require a full timing set replacement best case. Worst case its really a rod knock and you need an entire replacement engine. Either way its working on self destruction.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by ford390gashog
It would require a full timing set replacement best case. Worst case its really a rod knock and you need an entire replacement engine. Either way its working on self destruction.
well I’m gonna hope it’s along the lines of a timing set replacement. But you know what they say. Hope in one hand and **** in the other and see which comes first lol. I appreciate your honesty with me on this!
 
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 04:30 PM
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Timing chain slap is in the front of the engine. If like me it is a blown tensioner that is causing the sound. In the real world, they say change out the timing chain and all of that at around 100,00 miles and you had better change the oil pump while you are there.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Tbuck11
well I’m gonna hope it’s along the lines of a timing set replacement. But you know what they say. Hope in one hand and **** in the other and see which comes first lol. I appreciate your honesty with me on this!
Originally Posted by Stonedpony
Timing chain slap is in the front of the engine. If like me it is a blown tensioner that is causing the sound. In the real world, they say change out the timing chain and all of that at around 100,00 miles and you had better change the oil pump while you are there.
oh yeah I’m looking at replacing almost everything I can on that. Where do y’all go to get quality parts?
 
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 04:45 PM
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Do yourself a favor and find a reman'd engine.

230,000 miles is well within what those engines will do, but a bit beyond what was expected when new 20 years ago.

Serving suggestion.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 04:52 PM
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Originally Posted by 85e150
Do yourself a favor and find a reman'd engine.

230,000 miles is well within what those engines will do, but a bit beyond what was expected when new 20 years ago.

Serving suggestion.
This is true and if the OP goes that way I would recommend Ford or Fraser for the reman.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by ford390gashog
This is true and if the OP goes that way I would recommend Ford or Fraser for the reman.
okay I’ll like into that as well. I appreciate all of y’all’s help and honesty on this.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2020 | 05:03 AM
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My 03 has had that same noise for 60,000 miles. It is really noticeable thru the wheel well behind the tire. It comes from the first small cat. There was actually a kit Ford sold that was used to wrap that cat. to deaden the sound. Unloaded idle it really gets knocking, put it in gear and it almost goes away. I was told it is harmonics between the cat and piston slap. Lot of 5.4 motors have that knock and it's NOT a phaser if it's an 03 or older. May or may not be your issue but worth bringing up.
 
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