Stats:

1997 Ford F150 4x4 x/cab with approx 76k miles on it. Manual Transmission.

All homes in my community sit higher than the street so our driveways have a noticeable slope to it.

I have always parked with the front towards the garage and put the gear into first but did not apply the parking brake. It's worked that way without any problems for almost three years (the time I've been in my home.)

Twice now I've parked my baby in the driveway only to notice a half hour later the truck had almost backed into the street!

At one point my girlfriend didn't believe me so I parked as described and we literally watched the vehicle backing up VERY slowly.

I have noticed if I park the vehicle with the front pointed towards the street the truck will not move.

At first I thought the engine had a compression problem. However if that were the case I'd have noticed it elsewhere...rough idling...tough starts on cooler days, etc.

My thoughts are the clutch or a gear plate is damaged.

Anyone elses thoughts??

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Warren's Web Page
\/\/arren B
"It showed us that we have to care for each other, because if we don't, who will?"
- Susan Ivanova, Babylon 5

 

We had a girl here in my state delivering pizzas and she parked her truck (Nissan), without setting the parking brake, it backed across the street, went through the fence of a propane company and hit a fill line off a HUGE propane tank and set off an explosion that made national news a few months back.
Took out a mobile home park and did quite a bit of damage.

I dont know for sure, but it sounds like the engine, transmission and rear end have all been run-in and some of the tolerances have loosened.
I would suggest opening the hood and seeing if the engine is turning or not when its rolling.

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97 F-150 4X4 XLT Reg. Cab,Long bed. Auburn rear diff. 4.6L

 

I cringe everytime I see someone throw the gear into park and just let the brake go. The thing rolls back (or forward) on the parking gear a couple of times and the only thing holding the car (or truck) is that little gear in the tranny. Since you have the manual tranny, at least it's resting on a gear that is pretty strong, but it is still putting more pressure on the rest of the drive train then necessary. Is there a reason for not using the parking brake? I'm not trying to be a smart a$$ or anything.

My driveway is fairly steep and I will put the truck in netural, apply the parking brake, release the foot brake and then put it in park. I would do that with my Mustang GT too (5 speed). I would never let the vehicle rest on it's gears alone.

The idea of watching the engine while parked in gear is a good one. Will tell you right away if the engine is turning at all.

 

Racerx2:

Yah, I think I remember hearing about that. What was the injury count on that?

Okay. Treat me like a layman. Define "rolling" please! Do you mean to verify the engine is not moving back and forth? If so, what can be done about it?

Matchf150:

Yah. During the winter my rear brake cable froze up on my driver's side tire. It was well below freezing and I couldn't get it to come undone for anything. I was forced to have a flat bed tow truck haul my baby up and take it to my home where I muscled it into the garage!

Oh the humility of the neighbors seeing my truck being towed not under her own power!

Since then I've gotten out of the habit of using it but am recently getting back into the habit.

Again I ask if the engine is "turning" what can be done about it?

I'm getting the feeling the remedy to this problem may be expensive!

Thanks guys!




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Warren's Web Page
\/\/arren B
"It showed us that we have to care for each other, because if we don't, who will?"
- Susan Ivanova, Babylon 5

 

I agree with Racer, the engine probably doesn't hold compression as well as it used to. If you get in it you can feel it go through each compression stroke.

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2000 F150 XLT 4x4 Short Bed. Amazon Green, 5.4L, SuperCab, ORP, Tow Package, Sliding Rear Window, Electronic Shift, Keyless Entry, LT265-70-17 Tires, Clarion Pro Audio, Herculiner Bedliner, Air Silencer Removed.

1994 SVT Mustang Cobra. #1032 of 6009. Black coupe with black leather int., 3.73 rear, Bassani Exhaust, Aluminum D/S, Bridgestone RE-71 255-45-ZR17

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When I said rolling, I meant turning over, i.e. the crankshaft turning, the most obvious way to tell that would be to look at the fan, see if its turning.
As far as the propane thing, I am pretty sure there wasnt a body count or anything, just a few injuries and nerves that needed an overhaul.
I have an 83 CJ-7 that will roll if left in gear with no e-brake, it has a 151 gm 4 cylinder in it.

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97 F-150 4X4 XLT Reg. Cab,Long bed. Auburn rear diff. 4.6L

 

32CountStep:

Good reason. Bummer on the harsh winters. Must be up North someplace. I remember having to do that at times too. With it being basically Summer, didn't think of that. Being spoiled with a garage didn't help either......

Another thing on that "engine rolling" test. Put a mark of some sort on the fanbelt too. This will help determine if the engine's crank is turning. Just in case it's not obvious it's moving that way.....

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1997 F150 4x4 Off Road, SuperCab, Short Box, 5.4, Royal Blue/Silver, K&N, Gibson SS, LT265/75/16 Wild Country APT's

 

10-4 on the rolling test guys. I'll do that this afternoon and report the results!

Thanks!

Mitchf150:

Yup and the winters are harsh on my poor baby. I've never had a wheel lock like that before. I used to own a 94 S10 4x4 and it would lock up. My solution was to press the brake cable as far down as possible, floor it, and then release it....worked every time.

Not with the F150. That wheel was locked tight. Thank God it was snow and ice on the ground. If not my driving it a few feet and it being hauled onto the flatbed could've taken a spot off the tread.

 

before i got my truck i had a civic hatchback with a 1.5 and the thing would roll in gear on almost no incline. There was nothing wrong with the motor or transmission (as far as i know)... i used to beat the crap out of the car every time i drove it. i guess its alot easier to turn a 1.5 I-4 than a big v6 or v8, though.

if you don't trust your parking brake, just get a couple of blocks to put behind the wheels... i guess that may be a bit ghetto if you live somewhere nice, but its what i'd do.

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2001 F-150 XL SWB
4.2L 5-spd, 3.55

 

I have nothing more to report on this problem.

Why?

Because it's no longer happening!!! What the .....??

I left the vehicle in place Friday and no movement. I put the brake on, let it sit, and then tried again.

NADDA!

I tried Saturday and nothing happened.

Sunday? Same old!

I'm thoroughly confused at this point. I know what you're thinking and YES...I did have the vehicle totally in gear during the times it did move.

At least when/if the problem happens again I'll know how to check for engine compression loss problems.

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Warren's Web Page
\/\/arren B
"It showed us that we have to care for each other, because if we don't, who will?"
- Susan Ivanova, Babylon 5

 

The transmission in 1st is higher than in reverse according to some of the information that I have found on this site. that would make it harder for the truck to roll when backed into the driveway. Sounds like your engine is slowly turning over as compression seepe past the piston rings.

 

32CountStep,
You know, I have been thinking. I wonder if maybe, just maybe if you arent leaving the truck in 3rd gear when you get home?
I have a Ford Ranger as a work truck, and the other day, I left it in 3rd as I drove up to a customers home on an incline. Got out and the thing almost ran over me.

You drive home, push the clutch in, have enough momentum to carry you up your drive, and never think about the gearshift.

As far as a compression issue, I really doubt that your engine has lost any. The piston has rings on it, they also have gaps in them, so it is only a natural that they seep a little.
Anyhow, I had a light bulb pop up in my mind, so I thought I would share it.


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97 F-150 4X4 XLT Reg. Cab,Long bed. Auburn rear diff. 4.6L