Noise when towing

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Jan 22, 2003 | 08:51 PM

nolanc2

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From: Louisiana

Noise when towing

I recently bought a 98 extended cab F-150 with the 4.6 V8, auto, 3.55 rear end and full towing package to haul my 82 F-150 SWB 4X4 race truck on a 16' car hauler, it does ok pulling the truck until I get to a bought 45-50 MPH then I hear a pinging-tapping noise it sounds like a lifter, I know the SOHC engine doesn’t have lifters that's just what it sounds like.
I’ve been told it could be the low octane fuel causing the noise but I’ve also been told not to run the high octane fuel in my truck.
Is either true and could this be causing damage to the engine? If so how can I fix it?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Jan 23, 2003 | 01:30 AM

Torque1st

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Noise when towing

Are you towing in OverDrive?

It does sound like preignition caused by an overload on the engine. It will destroy your pistons.

That truck is awfully light/weak to be towing that load. You need a F350.

Jan 23, 2003 | 07:43 PM

nolanc2

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From: Louisiana

Noise when towing

Thanks for the reply. No I’m not towing in overdrive and yes the truck is a little on the small side for the job but according to the owners manual it’s rated for 7000# towing capacity. I figure the race truck and trailer weight combined is a bought 6000#, I’ve never weighed it to find out for sure.

Jan 24, 2003 | 03:34 AM

Torque1st

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Noise when towing

I take most of those "ratings" with a grain of salt...

Under ideal conditions on a flat road, with no headwind, streamlined load, high pressure tires, perfect tow vehicle... You know the routine. Read the fine print -hehe

The combo of engine and gears just seems to be marginal for your application.

I would still suspect the engine is just running out of torque and is being bogged down. That load can cause the engine to heat up and ping also.

A performance chip may help a little. Check the online store here. A chip and some free flowing exhaust and intake drawing in outside air would be cheaper than a new truck. Use the stock size tires for the truck. Large tires can reduce the effective gear ratio.

Make sure your truck is in tip top shape.

-Just my pennys worth...

Jan 24, 2003 | 10:26 PM

Ultramagdan

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From: Kansas

Noise when towing

I’ve been told it could be the low octane fuel causing the noise but I’ve also been told not to run the high octane fuel in my truck.

Who told you that?

You can run high octane in your truck. The reason they say not to is because under normal conditions you don't need it and the computer can adjust the timing enough with the normal octane.

I would say it wouldn't hurt to try a tankful of high octane in it. It will not hurt your motor. You are asking a lot from your truck in it's current set up.

Jan 26, 2003 | 08:45 PM

nolanc2

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From: Louisiana

Noise when towing

Thanks guys, the way I understand this is if the higher-octane fuel stops the pinging then it wont cause any damage to the engine other than being under more load than normal driving.

Last edited by nolanc2; Jan 26, 2003 at 08:47 PM.

Jan 26, 2003 | 09:49 PM

Torque1st

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Noise when towing

That is correct.

In normal circumstances the extra octane will decrease your engines power output and cause fuel consumption to increase. In your case the increased octane may help you pull your load without engine damage. You may overheat towing your load both from the combustion and from the transmission which slips during operation. This slippage produces heat.

Unfortunately you still need a bigger truck...

Good luck.