Hey fellas i have a 93 explorer and i noticed it has piston slap.. bad. I was just wondering if there is any way i can reduce the noise or help it out a little? I don't feel like replacing the engine not worth it... the truck has 220,000 miles on it but it still runs! Thanks!

 

It seems from your post that you feel sure the noise is caused by piston slap.

My standard 1st warning to anyone would be to be sure what is actually causing the noise. A timing chain, loose valve train, and various internal parts make distinctly different noises. If you're sure that the noise is caused just by worn hard parts and you don't wanna repair it now then you can try this:

Switch to a thicker engine oil. The extra thickness of the oil will help cushion & fill the larger clearances in your worn engine. You'll probably need a 40 or 50 summer rated oil to quiet it down. 30 weight just isn't thick enough to help quiet a well worn engine.

If you use conventional oil I'd say try to get a multi weight with a 40 summer rating like a 5W-40 or 10W-40 and see how that does. If that doesn't help enough (it probably will) then try a multi weight with 50 summer rating like 20W-50, but be warned this may be too thick for winter use in your area.

If you use a synthetic oil Examples maybe a 0W-50, 5W-50, 10W-50, or a 0W-40 or 5W-40. I've not known synthetics to leak thru seals any faster than conventional oils, tho some warn they do.

Synthetics can span the temperature ranger better than conventional oils so it's not unusual to see low 0 or 5 Winter ratings combined with 40 or 50 Summer rating. Thus a synthetic may be your best or only choice to stop the noise and flow in winter cold.

The higher number is what will give you the noise abatement but the lower number is needed whenever those cold nights come back around. Try to find an oil with the proper winter rating for your area and a 40 or even 50 thickness when the temperatures are higher.

Best of luck and tell your friends about www.ford-trucks.com

 

How can you tell for sure if it is piston slap? Or vavle train? The spark test was just one that came to mind. i'm not sure exactly.

 

Use a stethoscope or long screwdriver and listen around the motor and see if you can pinpoint it. That stuff in the silver can? I think it's Restore they have it for 4,6,8 cylinder motors. If you want a cheap fix buy a can for an 8 cyl take out your plugs put about a half ounce in each one turn the motor over by hand a couple times, dump the rest in the oil. I have heard it works and I have used it myself I wish I would have done a comp. test before and after, Because I felt it have a bit more power, it could have been in my head though!

 

haha doesn't hurt to try i suppose ;-)