2001 Ford F-150: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Sep 23, 2011 · Engine · 98,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns 2001 ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited an abnormally loud knocking noise from the front end of the vehicle. The contact inspected under the hood and noticed that the spark plug located nearest to the driver side had disengaged from the coil head without warning. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where a coil kit was installed. A few months later, the same failure recurred and the engine was replaced by the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. Consumer is still having problems with the aluminum head. Updated 11/10/2011 *ln

Filed May 15, 2011 · Engine · 115,000 miles · OH

I own a 2001 f-150 ford truck. I have experienced 3x now in a year the spark plugs blowing out of the heads. The first 2x it scared me half to death to the point I lost control for a few seconds ( thank god no one was on the road at the time). I have had the plugs heli-coiled in twice and waiting on the 3rd one now. The ford dealership I take the truck to says, "it is a poor design in the heads of this motor that causes the plugs to blow out and ford motor company knows about the problem." I am concerned that it will happen to someone else and cause serious injury or even death due to the "explosion" sound at first and the extremely loud knocking noise.

Filed Mar 30, 2011 · Engine · 127,000 miles · OH

Drove approximately 27 miles, then heard a loud pop under the engine. Smelled gas while inside cab with the windows rolled up. Loud knocking noise followed. Found that the number 3 spark plug had blown out of the head. Luckily no fire.

Filed Sep 27, 2010 · Engine · 56,000 miles · WA

Truck with 56,000 original miles. After stopping truck to dispose of trash, spark plug #8 blew out of the engine head while idling. Truck immediately towed to ford dealership. Dealer stated this is very uncommon problem. Helicoiled head. Installed new plug. $700.00. When vehicle was picked up from dealership there was a loud knock in engine, but we were told it was within specs and safe to drive. Mechanic now says there is a severe rod problem, most likely caused by parts of debris impacting piston and cylinder head. Estimated cost $4,500. For rebuilt engine.

Filed Jun 28, 2010 · Acceleration · AZ

When accelerating at higher freeway speeds, the accelerator sticks and does not disengage. Only after kicking or perfectly knocking it with your foot will it disengage. This occurs both with and without the cruise control on.

Filed Apr 14, 2009 · Engine · 124,515 miles · TX

One morning upon starting my 2001 ford f-150, I heard a loud pop and knocking coming from my engine compartment. The #3 spark plug on the passenger side, shot out of the cylinder head and broke the #3 cylinder ignition coil, stripping the threading on the cylinder head. Ignition coil, spark plug, and steel insert threading were replaced. Mileage = 124515 5.4 v8 this is appears to be a well-known problem: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/7_on_your_side&id=4757786 http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/03/ford_spark_plug_fire.html http://ezinearticles.com/?ford-spark-plug-problems---spark-plugs-broken-and-blowing-out&id=1107803.

Filed May 27, 2008 · Engine · 107,000 miles · CO

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact heard a knocking noise. He pulled to the side of the road and discovered that the front passenger side spark plug blew out of the head, busted the coil, and caused fuel to spill from the head. The current and failure mileages were 107,000. Updated 08/14/09. *lj updated 08/17/09

Filed May 18, 2008 · Engine · 85,000 miles · OR

I have a 2001 f-150 triton 5.4 liter ford with 85,000 miles on it -- it blew out the number 3 cylinder spark plug stripping the threads and breaking the coil pack. I heard a ticking sound for a few weeks prior and had it checked at a shop and they thought it wasn't a bad problem -- 3 days later it blew out the plug.

Filed Jan 28, 2008 · Engine · 70,990 miles · IL

Had minor ticking noise - was told this is typical in this ford engine. 16 months ago I had the dealer replace the spark plugs, ticking was still there, and just last week one of the plugs blew out of the head. Luckily no accident or injury. This could be quite dangerous having a plug sparking with fuel vapors escaping from the hole where the plug used to be. After talking to a number of f150 owners - found this is a rather common problem. Why no recall? Dealer installed spacer insert rather than helicoil. Rather expensive repair, and if it happens again, will need new head.

Filed Dec 14, 2007 · Acceleration · 80,000 miles · TN · fire

After driving home from work about 5 miles the truck was parked in my drive way about 20 minutes later I had a next store neighbor knocking on my door stating that my truck was on fire. Fire department came to put it out. A neighbor also told me of a recall on the truck due to truck fires and I went online and noticed that the recall started before it was bought from a ford dealership after looking into it the recall was not done before the purchase was made even though they knew of the situation. I was also not notified from ford through any means of any recall needed on the truck its self before or even after the incident.

Filed Feb 24, 2006 · Engine · 86,350 miles · CA

I noticed a ticking sound coming from my engine, shortly afterwards it began to pop loudly after leaving an intersection and traveling about 10-15 MPH. I had the truck towed to a ford dealer and was later informed that a spark plug had blown out and caused considerable damage ($4200-$5400!).

Filed Dec 7, 2005 · Engine · 44,000 miles · FL

Took truck to dealer after hearing low end ticking sound and mil light, told it was tensioner and manifold spacer. Picked up truck 8 days later and still had problem, returned and told by head mech. That it was a normal sound. Drove home and it was missing badly. Returned was told had a bad plug, truck is still ticking and loudly. Dealer washed hands of problem.