3.0 Liter FF knocking- Should I be worried?

[Kdawg532]

we give regular changes but the person that owned it before us didnt take good care of it so a flush would probubly not hurt as old as that engine is and having 161000 or 61000 (dont know which) miles on it

 

[reginald fairfield]

noise that goes away with premium gas is spark knock...probably from carbon.

noise that goes away with the motor warming up is probably bottom end noise (pistons or rods slapping). as long as the sound isnt real bad, your probably OK for a while...but this is a sign of your motors age. you could try running a thicker grade oil to slow bottom end wear (more cushion)...but this is really a band-aid fix for what really needs to be done: rebuild.

Ugh... Dang it! My motor only has 135,000 miles too, that is nothing for a 3.0 liter. How much longer do you reckon I can make this motor last? Also, is it possible that I could take the oil pan off one day and attempt to fix whatever is loose or messed up? Maybe I could fix the piston rods on the crankshaft end... Might be worth a try anyways... Motor still runs like a top otherwise. I bought it used so the previouus owner must have run it dry or somethinggn.,. Excuse errores I am drunk while editing.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

you cant remove the oil pan with the engine and trans in the truck. if you remove the trans and unbolt the engine from its mount and jack it up the pan can be snaked out....but its almost as easy to just pull the motor.

depending on whats making the noise, just throwing bearings at the motor may or may not help. you really wont know untill you get in there, get the rod caps off and mic. the crank. chances are good you can throw a set of rod bearings in it and be on your way.

if it were me, though, i would just keep clean, quality oil in it, service it on time, and keep driving it. a bottom end can hold out for a long time even after it starts making noise...especially if you dont rod on the motor while its cold. if you're really worried about it, you could get your hands on a junkyard motor and rebuild it on a stand as time and money permits..then its just a matter of a weekend and a few beers to toss the new motor in.

 

[reginald fairfield]

Yeah you just mirrored my thoughts exactly bro. I think that is the best route... I have been trying to see if there is a way to get that pan off, it looks like it might be possible if you drop the front axle... I have tried it before and failed, I would just want to know a method for my own purposes. I think I will go with the "drive it till it dies" method though. I never fix anything unless it is broken(cept normal maintenance.). I take good care of my truck, always change fluids on time, etc. If only I was the original owner, it would probably not knock at all! Damn it!! Thanks for the advice yo, 'preciate it.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

no problem man, anytime.

ill bet that motor will still suprise you with how long it lasts...as we all know, 3.0's are tough.

 

[reginald fairfield]

Well, This is an update.

I think I finally figured out the problem.

I have been buying gas at the same place my whole life, it is in my small town and the gas is a bit cheaper then in the city.

The other day, I was low and filled up with some 86 octane Shell gasoline because I knew I could not make it to my usual station on 1/8 tank.

Mind you, at my usual station I usually buy 87 octane.


The knocking was reduced, I would say, anywhere from 50% to 75%.

Apparently the gas sucks at my local station. I think I am going to try the 91 octane at shell next, the v-power stuff. Has anyone tried it? Supposedly it keeps your motor really clean.

 

[reginald fairfield]

Well, I tried the 91 octane v-power. That stuff is sweet!! My pickup feels like a nascar or something!! Higher rpm's are much better now. I think I'm hooked.

 

[triumphrider-1]

But did it fix the knock?

I tend to run Shell or Marathon gasoline in my trucks and usually get the 92 octane "V-Power" when I change my oil (a tank or two every 3,000 miles).

 

[reginald fairfield]

But did it fix the knock?

I tend to run Shell or Marathon gasoline in my trucks and usually get the 92 octane "V-Power" when I change my oil (a tank or two every 3,000 miles).

Mostly I think. You can still hear some knock, but it is not nearly as bad. It could either be bottom end noise or remaining knock from carbon buildup. Either way I am not too worried in the short-term. I have 150,000 miles now, if I can get at least 200,000 before rebuilding I will be happy. I would want much more, but my pickup has a questionable past. The Carfax was clear, but once upon a time it was a fleet pickup in Alaska, you know how they get pounded... I know I abuse the rangers we use at the golf course a shitload... Oh man it is so tempting to steel parts from them!!

I will keep running the v-power and see what happens. Overall though my pickup is in great shape. Still has the stock clutch. Slave will drain once in a while, but that is no biggie...

 

[evanesce69]

86 octane most likely does not have any ethanol in it.

The 87 at your local station probably does.

While ethanol is not the problem, the water that ethanol can sometimes absorb is. Has it rained often or a considerable bit at or near you favorite fuel station. If so, it's possible that they somehow got water in the fuel tanks.

I worked a mom and pop full serve station through college. We always had to go out and dip the wells around the fuel filling pits. Some caps to the underground tanks don't fit well anymore. If the catch pit was full of water, it is possible it seeped into the main tank by going past the faulty tank seal.



Rob

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

running a higher octane fuel is not solving the problem. your truck is designed and tuned to run on 87, so if it cant do that then something is wrong. running the higher octane may well make the knocking go away, but its only masking the problem, not fixing it.

i would advise tracking down and fixing the problem before it comes back to bite you.

 

[fixizin]

There *is* sub-standard fuel out there, and most states have no one to check up on it... at most they check that what the pump says is 1.00 gals. actually fills a 1.00 gal. test bucket, +/- some % error...

I had a Taurus with the 3.0L and I always stopped for fuel at this same Cumberland Farms convenience store that was WAY cheaper than surrounding stations... then the knocking started... like the fuel was 81 octane instead of 87... or had water in it... or some kinda impurities or contaminants... decided to hit the Chevron station instead... "new" engine, lol.

After that I'd always curse the offending CF store when driving past, and would sometimes swing in to warn folks if they hadn't started filling yet.

 

[reginald fairfield]

running a higher octane fuel is not solving the problem. your truck is designed and tuned to run on 87, so if it cant do that then something is wrong. running the higher octane may well make the knocking go away, but its only masking the problem, not fixing it.

i would advise tracking down and fixing the problem before it comes back to bite you.

That would be extremely difficult seeing as it is not only my daily driver, but my everything. I use it for everything, from towing and commuting to hunting and fishing. I have no alternate vehicle. That is why I have not diagnosed it before this. I am lucky it has been so reliable thus far, never broke down once. Not even an alternator or belt. I have personally put over 40,000 on it, I think that is pretty damn good. I think I will just run it till it dies then slap a reman in it. If I had the option, I would check the problem very thoroughly.