Possible piston rod problem??
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 226
Likes: 2
Possible piston rod problem??
I have a friend that has a 97 Expy 4.6, he ran it with little to no oil and he said that he started to notice a knocking noise. He added oil but he says that he still can hear the knocking noise. He took it to guy at his work and the guy told him that he had a bad rod? 
I told him that if he ran it with no oil that it could be a number of things like bad lifters, valve issues etc. How do you tell if it is a rod or anything else? He uses synthetic oil so he must have been running it for a while with no oil. I called him a dumb @#$ and said that I would look into if for him. Thanks in advance for any and all help.
I told him that if he ran it with no oil that it could be a number of things like bad lifters, valve issues etc. How do you tell if it is a rod or anything else? He uses synthetic oil so he must have been running it for a while with no oil. I called him a dumb @#$ and said that I would look into if for him. Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 551
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Use a mechanics stethoscope or a small diameter rubber hose. Listen to the engine and locate the spot of the knocking. If its in the block behind the exhaust manifold then it could be a rod or bearing. If it originates inside the valve covers, then its a problem with the valve train. Then once you've located the source of the knocking, turn off the engine and don't run it again until you've made the repairs.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 226
Likes: 2
Thanks for the info I'll pass it on to him. What would be easier to repair the valve train or the rod bearings, or would it be cheaper/less hassle just to replace the engine? There could be more damage to the engine that isn't obvious.
