Ok, its been awhile since I have come to the forums but I know someone can help.

I have a 98 f150 with a 4.6L 118k.

Since day one that I have owned it I have heard a rattle/pinging noise in my engine. The first couple of years it was slight and the dealer could never hear it of course and nothing ever showed on the computer.

Now the noise is much louder as the truck is older. It sounds like someone put a couple of bb's in a coffee can and shakes it up.

The noise only comes or is more audible when the truck downshifts and is under pressure, or going up hills (really when the RPM's are rising).

I have taken care of this truck since she was born, changed the oil every 3k religiously, fuel filters on time, tranny fluid etc. I use 87 gas only b/c when the truck was newer it knocked on higher octane. I have tried mixed half a tank 87 & 89 and I am not sure if it helps. Subconsiously I don't know if my mind thinks it works and my ears hear something different. Mixing the gas doesn't get rid of the noise, but possibly makes it lower (not sure).

Am I damaging the engine? I want to continue pulling my quads upstate, but don't want to get stuck on the side of the road 200 miles from home.

Has anyone had/have the same problem, what was the fix? Am I crazy? Is this normal and don't worry?

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to give as much info as possible.

 

The sound you are hearing is detination. When was the last time you changed the fuel filter? You might be leaning out, could have bad gas, any number of things happening. Try a 91 octane too to see if that helps. Do you use an injector cleaner? Might want to use Seafoam to clean out any carbon deposits in the combusion chamber; do a search to find details on how to use Seafoam.

 

If this is the case, am I damaging the engine by continuing to drive it?

 

Detination on these engines can be very harmful. I would recommend taking care of it ASAP. For the time being, when you hear it ping, back off on the gas pedal.

 

I worried about the same thing with my 98 and the 4.6L engine. The 4.6 is notorious for pinging. No matter what gas you use or how good of maintanence you do, it's going to ping. Have you tried to clean you Mass Air Flow sensor? I would also check the EGR valve and DPFE sensor. You can do a search on these items and find loads of information on how to clean what to check. My 98 had 29,000 when I bought it. At 111,000 when I traded it in, pinging like crazy.

 

My 4.6 doesn't ping.

 

boy, mine does. 98 4.6 has pinged since 20,000 miles, now has 71,000. I changed the spark plugs and had the upper intake and MAF sensor cleaned, and it didnt ping for about 500 miles, then started up again. Its only bad on the highway when pulling hills at 70+mph.

Good luck fixing it, my truck has had the same religious service as yours has, but it still pings. Im not worried about it, its got 71,000 miles and still runs as smooth as the day we picked it up brand new from the factory.

 

i dont want the ping!!!!