Hi Everyone i have a 2002 lightning with 33000 miles and i am getting a knock from the engine(sounds like a big end) are they prone to this or is there a common type fault with it.Also we dont have any f150 main dealers in the country so if you have any thoughts on this they would be most welcome
Thanks paul

 

When does it do it? Cold start? Under load or WOT?

 

it does it when you raise the throttle up to about 2000 rpm when standing still so i wont chance driving it as i dont want to kill it completly.There seems to be no noticable noise at tick over

Thanks paul

 

If it does it when it first starts up cold but then goes away after a few minutes, then it may just be a little piston slap. No big deal and it is basically "normal".

 

Usually rod knock is much more noticeable under load verses not under load. As bigsnag noted, piston slap is during warm up, it happens with many 5.4s, not just the supercharged 5.4s.

I assume it just started this? Oil level good? Right spec oil?

 

My buddy has a Harley F150. and he had a ticking sound when ever it was idling. He let it go and he was driving down the road coming home from a trip one time and the engine misfired and started running like crap. It turns out that a spark plug wiggled itself loose and shot out of the side of the engine. I hear this is fairly common with the 5.4s. I do not know if this is your problem. you will have to be the judge of that, but if I were you I would check the spark plugs to make sure they are in securley.

 

Not just the 5.4's, but all the modular engines. It's from too few spark plug threads in the cylinder heads. This was eventually remedied by Ford in '03 (at least for the L's it was '03) when they finally started putting more than 4 threads per plug hole in the heads.

One way to minimize your risk of launching a plug is to change your plugs with the engine cold, torquing the plugs to 12 - 15 foot pounds of torque.

As for the ticking noise, when a plug is working it's way loose, the sound can be mistaken for an exhaust leak.

p james, like the webmaster implied through his questions, we need a lot more info if we have any hope of helping you diagnose the problem.

Stewart

PS - What country are you in, and what octane of gas are you using?

 

I am in a similar situation where I have a ticking noise. when i bought the truck last september (2005), I was complaining about a noise that sounded similar to an exaust leak. i was told that i was hearing things. now i am replacing a head. i am absolutely livid. anybody have any suggestions?

 

Did you blow out a spark plug, rayd? If so, there is no reason to replace the head. PM me for details.

 

Why not post your knowledge here so everyone can benefit? Thanks.

 

My Lightning launched a plug almost two years ago.

One Timesert insert, a new plug, and a new COP and I was good to go.

http://www.timesert.com/html/sparkplugford.html

Stewart

 

if you hold the brake and give it some gas and the knocking stops its main bearings usually ...



Jeff

 

Ok. Well, those heads can have inserts put in them while they are on the truck. No need to pull the engine or pull the heads and especially no need to replace the head. Some people get scared off from inserts, but most of the aftermarket head companies like Patriot put those inserts in every spark plug hole to prevent blowout. My old Lightning had 2 inserts put in it. I did them both. Nothing you can't do in an afternoon with the Kit from Timesert.
Agreed...my brother blew a plug out in his Expedition/5.4. He installed an insert and replaced the COP, with the heads on the motor. He did this about 6 months ago and no problems thus far.

 

I also have an 03 lightning that has sounded like a diesel since I bought it (Dec 05 7800 mi). I know have 38000 mi with the same ticking/knock - always at idle warm or cold - oil level normal. Good call on the plugs - I will check them.

Any other suggestions on the ticking/knock?

Thanks