This seemed like an opportunity to help a stranger as I've been helped by strangers. Pay it forward as it were. Not mine, just figured I could give this guy a start on what to do.
I probably won't be able to answer any or many questions but I figure it couldn't hurt to send him a link to this thread:
"A buddy of mine bought a 97 f150 with a 4.6. His son recently took it to the mudhole and got stuck. In the process of trying to get out, the radiator hose blew. He said it took about 3 minutes after the hose blowing to get it unstuck. He then drove it about 2 miles to his home. Now when you crank it up, it runs rough and has an intermittent ticking near the front two cylinders on the driver's side. He said oil pressure is good. Any thoughts?"
I say that stanger's got a blown motor from overheating. Cracked block, head, intake, ???
Eb4Prez
New Reader
3/5/15 7:25 p.m.
Head gasket is what immediately comes to mind. Water in the oil? Check compression.
If he ran it for three minutes trying to get it out of a mud pit with a popped hose, he most likely needs a new longblock. What did the temp gauge say? This a probably a ford idiot gauge we're talking about, so if it went in the red it got HOT.
Alright! Not very good news but I'm going to send him this link.
Thanks for the input fellas!
I knew you guys could help!
Yep, time for a compression check and probably a trip to the junk yard for an engine. The good news is 4.6s should be common as dirt and fairly cheap.
mndsm
MegaDork
3/5/15 9:51 p.m.
Yeah, sadly that poor 4.6 is most effective as a boat anchor now.
Could make it a learning experience and have the kid remove it and take it apart to find out what happened. Then go get a new motor from the junkyard. I think my local P&P has many of those on the shelf and more runners out in cars. They almost pay the customer to take them away at this point.
