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2001 Ford F-150 Repair Question


Topics covered: Noise, Oil pressure, Engine.
Mileage: No information provided.

Asked on November 19, 2009

2001 Ford F150 Rattling Noise Upon Acceleration

Noises problem
2001 Ford F150 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 131000 miles

I bought a used Ford F-150 recently that appeared to be in good shape. I started noticing a slight rattling noise coming from the engine only during acceleration. It tends to get worse as the engine heats up. It is just a little rattling noise only when pushing the gas. As soon as you let off the gas, it goes away. Somebody told me it could be the oil pump and said it could cause major damage and bills, so I am a little worried now.
Avatar Asked by bhaineault

Answer

Replied on November 19, 2009

Relax, oil pumps don't rattle. I want you to try something. Take a rubber mallot and tap on the exhaust system to see if you can hear the rattle. My guess is you have a loose heat shield or the inside of the catylatic converter is loose.

Try this and let me know what you find.

Joe

Tiny Answered by Jacobandnickolas (expert)
57,318 answers provided
Replied on November 20, 2009

The guy I talked to was saying the oil pump could be going out causing low oil pressure which would cause something to vibrate in the engine. Not sure if that helps you out anymore.

Thanks for the quick response. I will try that out and hopefully find the source.

Tiny Response from bhaineault
1 question asked
Replied on November 20, 2009

If the pressure gets low enough, the lifters could make a ticking noise.

Have you been having trouble with oil pressure? Does the oil pressure gauge in the vehicle show that it's low?

Tiny Answered by Jacobandnickolas (expert)
57,318 answers provided

Replied on November 20, 2009

My oil pressure gauge seems fine. It is centered right between high and low.

One thing I didn't talk about was I have a check engine light for "low flow error". Everybody says it is the O2 sensors, I just haven't replaced them yet. Could that be something else involved?

Tiny Response from bhaineault
1 question asked
Replied on November 20, 2009

The sensor wouldn't cause a noise as described. Have you had trouble with oil pressure?

Tiny Answered by Jacobandnickolas (expert)
57,318 answers provided
Replied on November 23, 2009

Not that I know of. Truck seems to run great, and the pressure gauge always shows good readings. What would I need to look for if I had oil pressure problems?

The noise is not a consistant ticking noise, but rather it seems like rattling. It is louder sometimes, and sometimes I may not hear anything. I just thought it was weird that it only did it when I was on the gas and gets worse as the engine heats up.

If you haven't learned yet, I am not much of a mechanic or car expert!!

Tiny Response from bhaineault
1 question asked

Replied on November 23, 2009

Chances are it is a heat shield on the catylatic converter, the exhaust, or the inside of the converter is loose. Take a rubber mallot and tap on the exhaust system to see if you hear the sound.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

Tiny Answered by Jacobandnickolas (expert)
57,318 answers provided