fastford04150

Alright all, This has not been my week for auto's surfice it to say that. Both my cars have been in the shop for something. First of the specs - 04 f150 4.6l scab w/ 120,000 miles. While driving down the road my engine started a "Poping" noice that increases with acceleration. My wife stated when she was on the gas she saw smoke. Engine is not overheating, there is no oil leak and oil is topped off. So it doesn't seem like smoke was a leak burn off. The noise is coming from the passengers side rear portion of the engine. Perhaps from passenger. Its hard to check. I visual checked headers, connections with the exhaust and other exhaust components i could visually see. I saw nothing of the sort indicating a cracked header or something like that. I was hoping to get some suggestions ya'll might be able to advise to try. I am located in florida if this helps.


Thanks - Neil

jt94

check your oil filler cap. if it looks milky or white you may be in deep doodoo. my 97 has the same problem as stated and my head gaskets bad and the engine is no good now. hope its somethen else fingers crossed for ya man. this still may be true even if the filler cap is clean but you may jyst have a head gasket issue.

GATORB8

Can you describe the popping a little better? Does it increase in frequency or volume, increase with speed (regardless of gear) or RPM?

fastford04150

Yes sorry, the popping sound increases both in volume and with speed. At idol its a steady popping sound. When on the throttle anything above idol it becomes extremely loud (from the cab) and louder outside the engine. Maintence - the most recent changes were simply an oil change & filter as well as a fuel filter. The first thing i checked was the oil cap on the crankcase and i could see the lubricated cam. Checked dipstick. Plugs were done a maybe 20,000 ago. And idea's?

fastford04150

I could also be getting my words mixed up too! But, what if the popping was a mechanical knock or grinding? Like a timing chain might make?

richiepooley

piston slap

Turkey Hunter

The timing chain is in the front of the motor so if it sounds like its in the back its probably not the problem.

fastford04150

I was doing some research about piston slap. This doesn't seem to go away when the engine is hot. From what i saw with piston slap it is higher at cold start engines. But any other idea's?

Turkey Hunter

It could be an exhaust manifold gasket. If you take a video of the noise and post it on here we could help you a lot more.

Mod (Ret.)

Without hearing it, I'd suspect an exhaust manafold gasket leak, or the donut gasket where the manafold meets the down pipe.