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Hello, new guy here. I have a 2001 F-150 with a 4.2L 5sp. Anyone's catalytic converters make popping noises as the heat up and cool down? I have heard this on other vehicles before, but this truck seems to be pretty loud. Normal or not? Thanks
Hey cj,
Welcome to FTE and the 4.2 forum! Glad you found us and hope you stick around!
The popping sound from the converts, (etc?) is normal. They do make a lot of racket.
Since you are new here, check out the threads anchored at the top (if you haven't already done so). If this is your first 4.2, you'll probably find something of interest to you.
I didn't get it (sorry manster cause this may happen with you) until I got my flowmaster. It took a while for it to start happening, but I think the vibration of the piping that the flowmaster is making from the rumble is now making my cats rattle at very low rpm, but only for about a second, then it goes away once I get going. Kinda sucks, but oh well.
yeah, i get this really faint vibration at idle, and its really metallic and high-pitched. I can only notice it when i'm in a drive thru..... or all the time when i'm going back to the bat cave. But usually my JETS are too noisy to hear it.
But a popping upon warming up and cool down? never heard it. My sister's 01 3.8 has this crazy pop and hiss when it's parked, it's the condensation (maybe from the A/C) dripping on to the hot, oh so hot, exhaust pipes. Sounds very alarming until you stop to think about what it could be.
At least that's what we think it is.
Could be a midget in the exhaust, popping bubble wrap