spark knock
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spark knock
i have a 1997 f-150 4x4 4.6l triton v8.the problem i have is spark knock.truck has 127,000 miles,airaid throttle body spacer and a k@n air filter w/stock air intake system,even before i added these item i have a spark knock usually under a load with any grade gas.check engine light is not on truck runs good except for spark knock.plugs where changed about 5000 miles ago i had the ford dealership do a fuel system cleaning abt 10,000 miles ago just before that had the egr valve ports cleaned.any ideas? dont know where to go with this now.
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this is incorrect.
The 97 f150 does not have a knock sensor, and it is very ping prone due to the design of the intake manifold and coolant not getting to hot spots. These hot spots cause pinging and its a widespread problem.
There is a cooling mod that basically you drill a hole in the intake and tap for another coolant line so that you can force more coolant to prevent the hotspot.
If you do this the pinging will totally stop. But its a pain to pull the intake off and drill and tap then weld on it.
Mine pings bad also on any grade gas, and i'm thinking of going to a copper motorcraft spark plug two heatranges colder than stock. It won't last more than 30-40k miles but I think it will help out my ping alot.
awsf-12c is two heatranges colder than stock.
Justin
The 97 f150 does not have a knock sensor, and it is very ping prone due to the design of the intake manifold and coolant not getting to hot spots. These hot spots cause pinging and its a widespread problem.
There is a cooling mod that basically you drill a hole in the intake and tap for another coolant line so that you can force more coolant to prevent the hotspot.
If you do this the pinging will totally stop. But its a pain to pull the intake off and drill and tap then weld on it.
Mine pings bad also on any grade gas, and i'm thinking of going to a copper motorcraft spark plug two heatranges colder than stock. It won't last more than 30-40k miles but I think it will help out my ping alot.
awsf-12c is two heatranges colder than stock.
Justin
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JH6, Thanks for the feed back on the knock sensor. I was told by my mechanic that my '97 did have a knock sensor so now we both get to go to the back of the class. I guess it's time to clean the MAF, thanks Racerguy
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First try unplugging the MAF electrical connector and drive the truck. If it stiil spark knocks, it's not the MAF sensor. If it doesn't spark knock, the MAF is the problem. Also, 1997 4.2L 4.6L and 5.4L engines do have a knock sensor.
Last edited by 1toptech; Mar 12, 2005 at 07:41 PM. Reason: Add information
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1toptech
Well this is getting fun. That's 2 to 1 for the knock sensor. Can someone explain how it works and where it is? I pulled out the MAF sensor this morning and cleaned it with spray electrical circuit cleaner. I did not touch the wires with anything. I did notice that the sides of the wires opposite from the air flow were very brown before spraying and then everything was bright and shiney afterward. I towed the horses over the same 10 miles to my favorite riding spot that I drove yesterday and noticed a big improvement in power. I still have some ping but not as bad. I have a Schneider Towing cam that might be part of the problem but it didn't start pinging until I drove it for several months. About 3 years ago Ford replaced my MAF so the one I have is a genuine Ford replacement. Tomorrow I will unplug the connector and go the 10 miles again. How far can I drive with it unplugged? Will the OBDII pop a code?
Well this is getting fun. That's 2 to 1 for the knock sensor. Can someone explain how it works and where it is? I pulled out the MAF sensor this morning and cleaned it with spray electrical circuit cleaner. I did not touch the wires with anything. I did notice that the sides of the wires opposite from the air flow were very brown before spraying and then everything was bright and shiney afterward. I towed the horses over the same 10 miles to my favorite riding spot that I drove yesterday and noticed a big improvement in power. I still have some ping but not as bad. I have a Schneider Towing cam that might be part of the problem but it didn't start pinging until I drove it for several months. About 3 years ago Ford replaced my MAF so the one I have is a genuine Ford replacement. Tomorrow I will unplug the connector and go the 10 miles again. How far can I drive with it unplugged? Will the OBDII pop a code?
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Brett Foote
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The knock sensor is located under the intake manifold. Drive the truck until it is fully warmed up, then unplug the knock sensor. Drive it a couple miles. That should be far enough to know if it makes a difference. Keep in mind that "light" spark knock on these trucks is not considered to be abnormal.
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whats the best way to clean the maf sensor?mine was change at the dealership it did ok for a couple months they told me it was the oil from the k&n filter,but k&n says it is not.they gave me a couple of ford part #'s for k&n filters,so who is correct?i have thought about the knock sensor but it would be a pain to change hoping fo a easier fix.i did replace plugs abt 10,000 miles or so ago but i put motorcraft part # dealership said i needed
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Originally Posted by Fasterhorses
1toptech,
Yesterday you said unplug the MAF sensor but today you say unplug the knock sensor. Are they both on the MAF plug? If not, where is the knock sensor plug?
Yesterday you said unplug the MAF sensor but today you say unplug the knock sensor. Are they both on the MAF plug? If not, where is the knock sensor plug?
Last edited by 1toptech; Mar 15, 2005 at 06:15 PM. Reason: wrong info
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