My 4.2L V6 1998 truck was diagnosed as having bad lifters on drive side by Ford and it's spreading. Any approx idea how long I have before it blows or gets such bad gas mileage that it needs replacement?

It just started to occur (only noticeable when starting cold, but can hear it with scope or dowel) and did not last as long after a recent oil change so I'm thinking about adding an engine cleaner to oil and fuel injection cleaner to gas.

Also maybe going to 10W30 instead of 5W30.

 

Jake, I posted this reply to your thread in the 1997-2003 F150 forum:

Well, if it is sticking lifters, then you can try any of several over-the-counter treatments, or go with the old school trick: Add a quart of transmission fluid to the crankcase to clean / loosen the sticking lifters.

As you mentioned, there are several OTC products you might try.
Ask 100 people and you'll get 100 different opinions.
If it were me, I'd try Marvel Myster Oil. I'd pour some in the crankcase and drive it and see if it helps.
Or I'd try the Risilone or similar engine flush products.
If it is a sticking lifter, then such an approach is, in my opinion, well worth trying. If it doesn't solve the problem, you haven't spent much money.
Some folks would balk at the idea of adding ANYTHING other than motor oil to their crankcase. But, fact of the matter is, it is done all the time without trashing the motor.

Just curious, what brand and weight oil are you running right now?

As far as the gasket and feeling bummed about your motor. I'd not sweat it right now. Again, try and determine the build date of your motor. I believe there is a tag on the valve cover that has the build date. If you can find the date, we can determine if yours is pre or post the date Ford changed to improved gaskets.

And, for what it's worth, I have owned all manner of vehicles over the last 30 years.
Chevy Ford Nissan Lexus Jeep Buick Toyota Mitsubishi etc.

Even WITH having to replace the lower intake manifold gasket at 155,000 miles on my 2000 F150, it remains the most reliable, trouble free vehicle I have ever owned.
I sold that truck at 170,000 miles and got an '05 F150 with the 4.2. It now has 44,000 miles on it and it appears it will be just as reliable and rewarding to own as the 2000 was.

My point being, you CAN get all bummed out over this, but I would not. At least not at this point. You might pour some engine washer or magic potion in the crankcase, a few sticky lifters free up, and you are good-to-go.

If not, we can take it from there.

Keep us posted and hope you get lucky.

I see from you post above, you are using 5w30. That's fine. no harm trying 10W30 either.
You might try a diesel rated oil. I believe Shell Rotella can be found in 5W30 or 10W30. I know it is available in 15W40, but I would not go that thick.
Diesel oils have a good detergent package and are pretty robust oils. They will provide good protection while maybe helping from the standpoint of the detergent package.

Keep us posted!

 

I hear this is pretty good stuff, but I have never used it.

http://www.auto-rx.com/index.html

 

Thanks for the reply's and encouragement Brian. I'll let ya know what happens.

 

Well, it's been a week now and I have not heard the ping/knocking sound in morning. I put a full bottle of STP Fuel Injector cleaner in a full tank of gas and only 1/4 of a quart of Resilone in oil.