Knocking

[allmightyjt]

also, just by looking at it, anyone have a likely idea what the metal could be?

 

[drsvox]

my first thought was shards of broken piston ring(s), but I don't know how likely that is. white exhaust most often = coolant leaking thru a shot gasket or worse, cracked head.

in my opinion, the head is going to have to come off...might as well start planning for that now. and, worst case it is a busted ring, in which case you're looking at an overhaul/rebuild, or a replacement engine.

 

[allmightyjt]

i was afraid of that =( just cant wrap my head around how simply replacing 17 year old plugs could cause that....

 

[Mark_88]

I'd say yes, the engine is in need of work...but whether it is head or bottom end...or both...is kind of strange considering you only changed the plugs.

I would say piston slap bent the plug...because it happened on my 2.3 that just died. You can check that by removing the plug and cranking till it hits TDC then watch closely as you crank past that point...if the piston rises above the cylinder head/block line then it is bottom end...bearings or something...also watch for slight hesitation in the rise and fall of the piston...could mean the wrist pin is loose and the piston is wobbling through that play...and it will rise up higher than it should.

It may not do this under hand cranking situation though but I'm sure the engine will run without one plug...mine did for a while...whether you can actually see something is another story...probably best to tear it down and rebuild or just replace it...but you may be able to get away with replacing and rering the one cylinder...if it isn't too badly scored.

 

[black_demon69]

Been doing some asking and some prodding. Was able to recover this with a magnet, dirty penny for size reference. Its still knocking, ill hand crank some and stick the magnet in there, then repeat. Someone suggested the piston ring might be broken. How likely is this? Also, my brother cranked it and revved it to yield white steam like exhaust. Ill likely attempt a shop vac once i can get my hands on one.

first off i would do a compression check on that cyl. and if compression is good pull head and inspect for damage.

just my 2 cents

 

[drsvox]

so...to revisit the original set of circumstances, you replaced all plugs but this piston is the only one that slapped a plug?

if that's the case, what's the likelihood there's a bottom problem with that piston's rod/journal/bearings?

i'd say in addition to the compression check, drain the oil. if you don't notice any obvious metal shavings, swig your magnet around in the oil and see what it pulls out...

 

[black_demon69]

i was afraid of that =( just cant wrap my head around how simply replacing 17 year old plugs could cause that....

coincidence and denial or at least murphy and his law

 

[allmightyjt]

slight update, tried the vacuum trick, with no results. Then it occurred to same cylinder is on the other side of the engine. Figured I'd try the magnet over there. Pull the plug and this is what i found.... I've pretty much accepted I've got to pull the head.

 

[allmightyjt]

also, all parts of that plugs are smushed but accounted for.

 

[Kowboy]

A shot in the dark, but if you feel that you've retrieved all of the debris from each cylinder w/ the magnet, why not just put in new Motorcraft plugs and see what happens. You say that both the old and new plugs were the same length, but your engine obviously disagrees. I'd try the 6 new Motorcraft plugs first. Hopefully there's no scoring in the cylinders, valve damage or piston damage. Good luck.

 

[enjr44]

A shot in the dark, but if you feel that you've retrieved all of the debris from each cylinder w/ the magnet, why not just put in new Motorcraft plugs and see what happens. You say that both the old and new plugs were the same length, but your engine obviously disagrees. I'd try the 6 new Motorcraft plugs first. Hopefully there's no scoring in the cylinders, valve damage or piston damage. Good luck.

What Kowboy said. You got nothing to lose. If it is broke, it is broke. It won't get "more broke". I have seen small washers dropped into cylinders. Sometimes they bang around in there until they are small enough to get past the exhaust valve. Sometimes not. I would say at this point don't pull the head. Just put the correct plugs in it and see where you are.

 

[SRich]

Just curious but could you put a measurement reference beside those pieces of metal that you pulled out such as a dime, quarter, or ruler?

 

[Spott]

Just curious but could you put a measurement reference beside those pieces of metal that you pulled out such as a dime, quarter, or ruler?

The picture included a penny for scale. A dirty penny.

 

[Kowboy]

Just curious but could you put a measurement reference beside those pieces of metal that you pulled out such as a dime, quarter, or ruler?

A PENNY for your thoughts maybe?