I have piston slap. I'm sure of it. Oddly enough, when I first looked at my truck, I popped the hood and listened intently. The sales guy thought I was nuts. I told him I hated piston slap and didn't want another engine with it. My '97 Venture has it badly and it's embarassing for a fairly high dollar ride, but doesn't seem to hurt it.

Anyway, after searching the web, I came across some good info. Well, wudduhya know -the best was on F150online. Yes, I know of the link to download and listen and it's in the link I'm about to post. https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/000833.html

Sorry this is getting so long. I know the early '99's were prone to this condition and the '00's were supposed to be free of it due to a redesign of some sort. Many '99's have been replaced because of it.

Here's my question: How many of you have a '00 that makes a rattly noise on startup in the morning or after it sits for a few hours? It makes a sound like shaking a couple of paint cans, only muffled somewhat. Or a diesel engine idling? I'm in a dilemma here. I've got a good, strong reliable engine that is noisy. I'm sure I could get the dealer to replace it, only I'm scared sh*tless of their screwups. What would you do?

Thanks.

------------------
Jim
Black '00
#1,757 built 3/30/00
Clear corners
J.L. Race program
J.L. Stage II ram-air
MagnaFlow Exhaust

 

gforce:
I am a 99 owner, not what you are looking for but my truck has rattled since about 8000 miles. I now I have 20000 miles and the same rattle. From what I have been able to gather with outher Ford 5.4L engines, they all rattle. Just like you say, early startup of after a few hours of setting, Rattle Rattle, Rattle. But it still runs like a scaulded ape. So I don't worry so much. You got 36000 mile to blow it up and start all over again.

 

Just a thought,but it may be the chain drive you hear? It's hard to say without being there,but maybe it's a start.

------------------
00 White Lightning,JL(2) Superchip,Homemade induction with cone type K&N filter,Flowmaster Mufflers. 93 Ford Ranger,FI 302 with 185 AFR heads,GT-40 intake w/ported lower,65 mm TB,66 lb injectors controlled by Western Motorsports SDS fuel injection,TDC Stage 2 twin turbos,AOD trans w/Lentch strip valvebody,10 inch convertor and single input shaft,8.8 rearend w/mosier 31 spline axles and 3.73 gears,and plenty more !!

 

gforce - mine did the same thing at 359mi. The sound lessened quite a bit after putting on a few thousand miles. The noise was located on the right side and could be heard best at the right front wheel well area. The truck went to the dealer and sat for about 45min. - when the tech heard it he didn't seem too upset. He said with the steel crank and forged pistons and rods that some resonance will be heard until warm. He also said to use synthetic oil after the initial break in period. No noise has been present for 3k miles so far. He may have been correct. The engine in your misadVenture is a throwback to the 2.8 of 20 years+ ago. The LA1 is a noisy motor - but then it's a 60deg V6 - I never have heard a quiet one yet! Don't get too upset if the 5.4 has piston slap - you'll most likely sell it with that motor still in it! 'Noisy' engines still will run well over 100k and wil still run just as well as a 'quiet' engine.

Cruiser

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'00 White Lightning
#39 of 4966/built 2/2/00
API trans chip
ASP 2# blower pulley
K&N filter (stock box)
JL ram air (modified)
Borla exhaust

 

I took your question to my father who has been a very highly reguarded mechanic for over fifty years.


His reply: Turn your radio up......

 

Ahhh Piston Slap, a byproduct of having Forged Pistons. The slap should go away after it gets warmed up and the Pistons expand. Just go easy untill it warms up.

 

I know my fan clutch makes a buncha noise before the truck warms up when its cold... does your noise ever go away or is it there ALL the time?

Daniel

 

Mine does it too. its a 2000. Mine is pretty loud too.My dealer says its normal but it dont sound it to me.Mine does it all the way up to 150 degrees and then lessens a bit.Sounds like the bottom end is falling out,I hate it but until i can pop it,I cant get one from my dealer.

 

I have piston slap as well. I only get it for about 2 minutes when it's cold out, and I have just started the motor in the morning.

It goes away once warmed up.

------------------
2000 Red Lightning - Stock
330 rwhp - 414 rwtq

 

Thanks for the replys. I guess I'm not completely alone here. But, what bugs me is I built a small block with forged pistons and set it up with about .003" clearance on the skirts, and it was quiet as a church mouse. Even cold. So, this must mean my L engine is even sloppier than that.

I take it the rest of you guys have quiet engines?

------------------
Jim
Black '00
#1,757 built 3/30/00
Clear corners
J.L. Race program
J.L. Stage II ram-air
MagnaFlow Exhaust

 

Knock on wood, no piston slap....yet.
If the slap was bad enough I would probably take it back to the dealer & tell them not to call me until a new motor was installed. Preferably a 2001 motor.

-----------------
beechwood

2000 White L

9050 Miles

[This message has been edited by beechwood (edited 02-12-2001).]

 

I had piston slap on my 99 non L motor in my off road,took it to the dealer to verify,after sitting overnight they declared the dreaded piston slap and ordered a new 00 5.4 liter.After install the new motor had more power and got about 1 more mile per gallon than the old 5.4 If my L motor had the slap,i would definetly take a new engine. my non L 5.4 was replaced at 25k and i now have no problems at 42k with the new motor. IMHO synthetic oil will help minimize the noise of the slap.New motors come with a 12k waranty even if you get your motor at 35,999.

 

gforce:
Have you spoken with the dealer yet & if so what did they say?