My 97 F-150 4x4, 4.6L with 48k, has a problem.

With its stock exhaust configuration, the tailpipe exits in front of the right rear wheel. Over time, the right rear wheel gets covered with a light green coating which is destroying the finish on the wheel.

At first, I thought this was a byproduct of a fuel-injector cleaner since this build-up occurred on a long trip when I used the FI cleaner. I have since determined that the hazy build-up on the wheel is unrelated to any fuel additive, but appears to be coolant because on one occasion, I noticed a small (2 inch diameter) spot of coolant under the truck...directly under the catalytic converter which was wet at its lowest point. This incident followed a brief engine run to move the truck in the garage...not long enough to heat the catalytic converter.

So, I'm thinking this has been going on for some time, but I never noticed any leaking because the heated catalytic converter caused the coolant to evaporate.

At any rate, I took the truck to the dealer to have it checked. They pressure-checked the cooling system and found no leaks. They also pulled the oxygen sensors and stated that they saw no evidence of a problem. After getting it back from the dealer, I pulled the plugs and they all look to be burning normally.

I haven't noticed any change in performance, gas mileage, or any visible smoke from the exhaust...just the build-up on the wheel. Even the fluid levels (coolant included) are doing fine and show no signs of contamination or leaks.

Basically, I'm posting this to see if anyone else has had such a problem, and if so, what caused it since it appears I'll have to point the dealer in the right direction. I'm close to installing a tailpipe that exits behind the wheel, but then I'll never know if the problem gets worse. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

 

SLK, You have a very strange problem as I had a 97 also with the 4.6, side exit exhaust ahead of the wheel and in 80,000 miles had no problem. Then my 99 with the 4.6 had exhaust pipe behind the wheel, now I have a 2002 SCREW and Gibson Super Truck system with 5.4 engine and both pipes come out ahead of the wheel again. Still no residue on the rear wheel. rk

 

If the green was on the plastic center cover , it is from the exhaust. There was a recall on my 97 truck and they moved the tailpipe to the rear of the wheel and replaced the center cap. Hope this helps.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 21-Jul-02 AT 06:06 PM (EST)]NorminN.B.,

The green haze is most noticeable on the centercap, and yes, I'm sure it's coming from the exhaust. I wasn't too concerned until I noticed the coolant on my garage floor that one time. I still feel the two are related, but since the shop can't find anything wrong with the cooling system I have been contemplating relocating the exhaust.

Would you happen to have the paperwork related to this recall? I'd like to go back to the dealer with some ammo to get this fixed. BTW, my centercap can be cleaned up rather easily, it's the wheel that can't be polished to a shine...any mention in the recall about replacing the wheel?

Thanks for your help.

 

I'll look to see if I still have the paperwork. Not sure, that was 2 truck's ago. If I remember right it was kind of a silent recall, only if you complained about it. My wheel was o.k. just the cap was green. NorminN.B.

 

I have '97 F-150 extended cab with 5.4 litre which exhausts in front of rear wheel too. Like you, my wheel cover plate (17" wheels) has turned a wonderful shade of swamp green. I've been told by many admirers that this is the result of the exhaust system placement. They've been hoping to modify their configurations to achieve that same pleasing patina effect of old copper too.

Would love to have had it fixed under warranty. Based on the other reply here, may give it a shot at the dealer. Failing that, I will rotate the hub covers until they all look like they've been fished out of a stagnant pond.

 

Well, I feel a little better knowing I'm not the only one having this problem, although I'd prefer to have none of us dealing with it.

You're lucky if the green haze is only covering your hub cover. So far, I've been able to get that off without too much trouble. The bigger issue is the finish on the wheel, but since that damage is done, I just need to suck it up and do something before I rotate the tires so the front doesn't get trashed, too.

I'm planning to hit a couple of custom exhaust shops tomorrow. The dealer doesn't want to fix it, and I can't say I want another tight stock pipe on the truck anyway.

Thanks to everyone for your responses and inputs. I'll post an update when I resolve this mess.

Thanks again.