piston slap question
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
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piston slap question
I have 99 f 150 5.4 l, I bought it 3 months ago from local ford dealer with 130 miles with rebuilt bottom end. At that time the engine was mint no knocks at all. A few thousand miles later I started hearing a knock which seems to be a piston slap. The dealer is not sure so they have to take it apart and see. That means no truck for me for couple of weeks. So I have the option to trade in for the full price what I paid for my truck since the motor is still on warranty. My question is does anybody knows at what year all the 5.4 l were having less problems with the piston slap? Since more likely I will be trading in I would like to know if the piston slap comes with the certain production date or there is just no rule for it?
Thanks
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 245
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From: Homer, Alaska
I've never heard of pinging being a common problem on a certain year in the 97-03 F150 series. My normal recommendation is purchase the newest vehicle you can, without going over budget. So if you can get an '03... I'd go for it.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
Basically the piston skirt is too small which makes too much clearance between it and the cylinder wall. The piston rocks in the cylinder and that makes noise. Usually the noise gets better as it warms up because the piston skirt expands.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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I'm curious how many miles were on the truck when the engine was worked on? Mine now has 115,000 and has started a little ticking that sounds like a piston slap or broken skirt. The only problem is mine sounds worse as it heats up. Any ideas?
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New User
Joined: Apr 2004
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I purchased my 1997 F150 4x4 5.4L new in Alaska, and it has made this noise since it was almost new. It only happens at initial cold startup ( it was much worse when I lived in Alaska). The truck now has 131,000 miles still makes the noise at startup, but hasn't affected the performance and still runs great.
Don't worry if you can stand the noise!
Don't worry if you can stand the noise!