Jimmy Miller

I have a 1997 F150 4.2l. It has been making a rattling noise (almost sounds like timing chain) in 4th only under load intermittently. The other night, I towed a boat and all was fine until after I dropped the boat. On a 30 mile drive home, it started rattling going uphill in 4th and the check engine light started flashing. codes p0302 and p0420 were thrown. p0420 has been present for years prior to this. I did a compression test and noticed that the cyl number 2 spark plug was very loose (almost halfway out). Compression was as follows 1) 170 2)115 3)170 4)180 5)120 6)130. The manual calls for no more than 15 percent variance in cylinders. I replaced spark plugs and cleared codes. It is running smoothe and has only started twice since codes reset. I added oil to low cylinders and saw a 5psi increase in cyl 2 and nothing in 5 and 6. Whats the next step?

jstockert

Sell it. Get rid of that hydro-locking piece of crap. Sorry to be so blunt.

jprevat

iTrader: (1)

If there are no leaks and that is scarred cylinder walls or pistons then anything short of a machine shop is only a temporary fix. If it were me I would run engine restore with the oil and see if your numbers come up.

Jimmy Miller

I had the intake gasket replace when I first bought it. It still runs well. Is there any chance the misfire is unrelated to the compression? I know I can sell it its a piece of **** but I was hoping for some mechanical viewpoints of what to do with the thing since I have it. I don't believe in selling something with low compression and a misfire going on. I ordered coil pack and wires. was that a waste?

jprevat

iTrader: (1)

That was definitely not a waste. It could very well fix the problem. Let us know what happens.