I have a 2000 4x4 with the 5.4, 110k, Bone Stock. I just changed my tranny filter and went for a test drive. I romped on it pretty good to feel the shifting and when I let off I started hearing a knocking sound. It sounded like valvetrain noise but I'm not sure. it doesn't make it as loud as RPMs are increasing but gets loud as I level out and decrease rpms. It is also present at idle. It does not have a miss, is not lacking on power, and is not coming from the transmission. Please help if you have had this problem before or even heard of it.

 

I talked to the "shop" on the phone and he said possible knock sensor or exhaust leak at manifold, he said they are common problems. More to come, still seeking advice.

 

did it knock before you changed the filter?

My advice is to back track, drop the pan, check the filter and do from there. Do you get a CEL?

I normally dont trust transmission shops to help diagnose and engine issue.

 

I changed the filter myself, way too cheap to pay someone else. The shop I called was not involved in the maintenance, I called them because I know one of the mechanics and trust him. Snizzle you are correct, I need to back track, after double checking the filter is good, seal is tight, and fluid is good again. It still knocks but, no, it did not knock before. But it did have a very small exhaust leak before I started. thanks

What is CEL?

 

CEL is Check Engine Light.

 

Yes, I do. But I forgot to mention that it was on before. my bad

 

whats the code? lets do some multitasking and try to eliminate that while we are at it.

 

I don't have a code reader and am leery of driving somewhere that does (18 miles).

 

If you plan on doing your own maintenance, a code scanner is just near indispensible.

I justify special tool purchases, such as a code reader, GOOD volt/ohmmeter (not the $9.95 WalMart special), 4WD spindle nut socket, etc., by considering what I'd pay for a shop to do the work. Even if the tool purchase means I only break-even, I've still got the tangible tools for future use.

 

is there a specific code scanner I should look for. Are they universal. Any place I should look?