I have a 1998 4.6 litre and it constantly pings and rattles no matter what kind of gas I use. The dealer told me to run regular gas only, usually a higher octane solves this problem but it doesnt. They told me to run regular not high test. Does anyone else have this problem. The dealer says they dont here it, I think they are deaf.

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1998 F150 XLT extra cab white,4.6 with off-road package
tint,rhino-lining, white face gauges, clear front marker lights, stull billet grille
16" lariat 5 stars with dunlop radial rover
285/75/16

 

Lots of us have had this problem. Do a search for "4.6 Pinging" or Techron, then buy some Chevron fuel SYSTEM cleaner/treatment with Techron. It worked like magic for me and several others

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White 97 XLT SC 4.6, 4X4, 3.55ls, door cracks, tow pkg, long bed, Rhino liner, Owens running boards




[This message has been edited by MOVEOVER (edited 01-31-2000).]

 

Oops, sorry. Triple post



[This message has been edited by MOVEOVER (edited 01-31-2000).]

 

Another oops. Wish I could delete it.

[This message has been edited by MOVEOVER (edited 01-31-2000).]

 

What computer code do you have and how many miles?

I have the same problem and have since day one. The Chevron treatment only worked for about one tank of fuel after the treatment on my vehicle. I think that they have a bad calibration out there. I have made an appointment at the dealer to have it checked out.

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98 F-150 4X4 Ext Cab ORP 4.6L Superchip, Gibson Cat Back Single exit exhaust, TransGo Performance Shift Kit, K&N Filter. Future: 4.56 gear swap, shorty headers.

 

I dont kow what my computer code is but I also have a 1998 wit a 4.6 and it has done this for me since I first bought it. I will try the fuel additive and see what happens. If it does not work then the dealer ship will here from me.

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1998 F150 XLT extra cab white,4.6 with off-road package
tint,rhino-lining, white face gauges, clear front marker lights, stull billet grille
16" lariat 5 stars with dunlop radial rover
285/75/16

 

I own a 98 F-150 triton V8 4.6L, Upon cold starts I am getting a pinging sound similiar to the noise of lifters tapping. The problem seems to pan out after about five miinutes of driving. I have been told by ford mechanices that this is normal, but this noice is getting louder and worse.

 

Bryson-
That sounds a little more like the piston slap..as a matter of fact it sounds alot like it !!. The pinging is worse at times than others but, at least for me, was not worse on a cold start and did not go away after 5 minutes.

Do a search for the Piston slap threads and find another dealer

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99 F150 5.4 4x4 ORP 3.73 styleside deep wedgewood blue ..no mods (yet)

 

There's a thread in the Chips forum that discusses the pinging problem with a particular computer code that was designed for a much lighter truck than what most of us are driving. Off the top of my head, I believe the code started with an FO or FU. FOU1 comes to mind. I'm probably wrong. Brain doesn't work as well as it used to a few minutes ago.

 

I tried all of the tricks with the Chevron w/Techron. It didn't help at all. The dealer was no help at all. They also said they didn't hear it. I agree, it sounds like a calibration problem in the computer.

 

Try cleaning the MAF sensor elements with some windex and q-tips. They are glass covered bobbins that sit in the sample tube of the MAF. BE CAREFUL broken wire is cause for replacement.
Also, check your fuel pressure, it should be right at 39 psi to get the proper fuel. If it is low also change the filter.
You can also check your base timing to see if it is at 10 BTDC.
These engines do not use knock sensors, the newer ones do, so any lean condition that is causing it should be made up for with the PCM adaptive strategy.

One thing the 4.6L motors are known for is the rings are up high on the piston and blow-by causes carbonization on the piston surface which gets hot and causes detonation. Usually running the real good cleaners for a few months helps remove some of it.

Birdman