Carbon in valve train
#16
#17
Are the pictures all of #1, or one pic each of #1's through 4? Either way, that looks pretty clean and I can't imagine that little amount of carbon build-up would cause your pinging issue even with running 93 octane. Are you sure what you're hearing is pinging and not something else? You could try the MMO in the intake, it won't hurt anything but don't expect any miracles. Have you replaced the PCV valve?
I have installed a new PCV. I'll try the MMO and a couple of the other ideas. I'm hopeful the Delo recommendation might help too.
I'm using Motorcraft plugs that are properly gapped, but have read switching to colder plugs could be a potential solution. I love this mid-90's generation and don't want to give up on my first F-150! lol
#18
Cylinder 1
Cylinder 2
Cylinder 2
Cylinder 3
Cylinder 3
Cylinder 4
Cylinder 4
#19
Tops of the pistons look normal for mileage. There’s a lot of reasons why #1 has more build up than the others so for now I wouldn’t pull the head unless there’s a compression issue.
I couldn’t see them in your photo but how did the oil return passages in the head look?
Split a bottle of Marvel Mystery Oil 1/2 & 1/2 between the gas and the oil, then go on at least a 20 minute drive with as much highway cruising as possible. You’ll know when it starts working because you’ll be able to smell it (that’s why I like MMO - compared to other additives, the way it smells tells me all the build up is getting cleaned off the inside and some of it is getting burned up via the PCV). Change the oil immediately after the drive.
You may not see an immediate change in the build up - it could take a few treatments to get the bulk of it.
There’s also the classic sea foam through the intake treatment as well - plenty of YouTube how-to’s on that.
I couldn’t see them in your photo but how did the oil return passages in the head look?
Split a bottle of Marvel Mystery Oil 1/2 & 1/2 between the gas and the oil, then go on at least a 20 minute drive with as much highway cruising as possible. You’ll know when it starts working because you’ll be able to smell it (that’s why I like MMO - compared to other additives, the way it smells tells me all the build up is getting cleaned off the inside and some of it is getting burned up via the PCV). Change the oil immediately after the drive.
You may not see an immediate change in the build up - it could take a few treatments to get the bulk of it.
There’s also the classic sea foam through the intake treatment as well - plenty of YouTube how-to’s on that.
#20
#21
I haven't touched the inside of a motor since high school 15 years ago, so this has all been a good learning experience if nothing else! Haha
#24
Purchased from original owner in late-2018. I've put about 750 miles on the truck. Would like to get to point where I can rely on it as a daily driver. Putting on the valve seals seems pretty straight forward.
#25
You haven't driven it enough to burn the crud off the pistons. Did you drain ALL the old gas out, or just mix? The reason I ask, I bought a '97 Crown Vic that had been sitting for two years. I had never hears the kind of spark knock that engine had. It sounded like marbles rattling in the engine. I ended up putting a new fuel pump and draining the tank before it ran like new again.
Also, Check your fuel pressure. The pump could be going out, and change all fuel filters. Your problem could be that simple.
Also, Check your fuel pressure. The pump could be going out, and change all fuel filters. Your problem could be that simple.
#26
You haven't driven it enough to burn the crud off the pistons. Did you drain ALL the old gas out, or just mix? The reason I ask, I bought a '97 Crown Vic that had been sitting for two years. I had never hears the kind of spark knock that engine had. It sounded like marbles rattling in the engine. I ended up putting a new fuel pump and draining the tank before it ran like new again.
Also, Check your fuel pressure. The pump could be going out, and change all fuel filters. Your problem could be that simple.
Also, Check your fuel pressure. The pump could be going out, and change all fuel filters. Your problem could be that simple.
#27
Fuel pressure is good after putting a new regulator in and I've installed new filters. I mixed when I took ownership. I was told the truck was driven often but who knows if that was the truth. New fuel pump is a new option I haven't heard before. What prompted you to focus on the fuel pump in your Crown Vic? Any idea what the correlation between the pump, draining tank and elimination of spark knock?
#28
I had to put in a new fuel pump after I tried to start the car with an almost dead battery. Then engine kicked back, and caused two lash adjusters to pop off the lifters. I parked the car for a few months after I figured out why it had a dead cylinder, and it was too cold for me to work on it. By the time I was ready to fix the lash adjusters, the fuel pump was stuck from me trying to run the car with the old, varnished up gas.
A Crown Vic fuel pump is pretty easy to change, and while it was out I siphoned all the gas out of the tank. OMG what a smell the dead gas had.Changing the pump was much easier than getting the valve cover off the passenger side of the engine. After new gas, new pump, lash adjusters back in place, and a new battery, the car ran perfect. It was a low mileage school superintendent's car that had been replaced and sat at the county garage.
I had my dealers license, and sold the car to a couple 10 years ago. They still own and drive the car. I met them in town just this weekend. The way it rattled when I first got it I thought I had messed up, but it was bad gas and probably a weak fuel pump.
A Crown Vic fuel pump is pretty easy to change, and while it was out I siphoned all the gas out of the tank. OMG what a smell the dead gas had.Changing the pump was much easier than getting the valve cover off the passenger side of the engine. After new gas, new pump, lash adjusters back in place, and a new battery, the car ran perfect. It was a low mileage school superintendent's car that had been replaced and sat at the county garage.
I had my dealers license, and sold the car to a couple 10 years ago. They still own and drive the car. I met them in town just this weekend. The way it rattled when I first got it I thought I had messed up, but it was bad gas and probably a weak fuel pump.
#30
I got them back today and swapped out the valve gaskets. Covers are back on now, so should find out tomorrow after I get plenum back on and check timing. Flow chart showed injectors for cylinders 1 and 8 were pretty crudded up. Fingers crossed ...