Howdy,
I've got a problem. I got my 97 4.6L F-150 about 2 months ago. It's been itching at me to take it mudding this whole time, just to see what it is capable of. So this past weekend I went. It was a heck of a good time and I had so much fun. But things have starting to worry me. First off, ever since I went mudding, when I start the engine there is some loud and eerie cranking and crackling noise coming somewhere from the engine. It will only do it when its starting up, not while its running. I have no clue as to what it is and if it is bad. Could it possibly be the belts? Second, but not too much of a biggie, the part that is around the grille and the lights is chipping off paint. But underneath the paint that is chipping off is what I'm guessing to be another coat of paint (at least I hope so). And lastly, does anybody have anything that I need to do after going mudding? I don't want my baby (my truck - for the slow ones out there) to get sick or even die on me so anything would be a great help. Thanks everyone

Drew

 

After mudding, always take it to a hand car wash. Use the high pressure spray everywhere including under the hood. Your not trying to get it clean, just clean out the mud. In doing under the hood, be careful of the power dist. box and other electronics.

Pay special attention to the areas around the wheel wheels and make sure all the body drains are still open.

The grille is made of plastic, so there is no risk of rust. If your truck had it replaced, it could have been painted.

 

Okay, it seems day after day I find more things wrong with it. First off, a few days ago I was idling at Sonic waiting for my food and my truck started to shake, bad. I looked at my tach and it was reading my engine was idling around 500RPM. I got worried so I turned it off. Later I've noticed that my idling almost never idles at the same RPM. Sometimes its 500 and other times its around 1200.
When I turned it off I noticed a noise that sounded like water running through the dash. I'm not sure if it has always done that but lets just make sure its nothing bad.
And now the brakes. Ever since I went mudding, they have sqeaked, and squeaked bad. Not just when stopping hard, but just when i even barely touch the brakes, and sometimes when I'm just driving along I can hear a faint squeak with my window down. And my left front one is worse than the right one. Today while I was driving down the interstate going 75, I would let got of the wheel and it would drift bad to the left. I got my friend to time how long it took the drifting to make me change lanes and it was 4 seconds. Somebody please help me because i know this isnt good.

Drew

 

Like the man said HIGH PRESSURE WASH all areas
check your starter and flywheel for dirt or debris
brake squeal is caused by dust and dirt between tight fitting metal parts
for possible gurgle type noises check air filter air intake area