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Hi: I have an '99 F-350 with a V-10 engine. It has about 100.000 miles on it, and looks like new and has been meticulously taken care of. Being devastated by Katrina, this truck was very important to me. I made a trip to south Florida to buy 2 diesel generators, one for us and one for a local church. We were 6 weeks with no power, and we didn't want a repeat. After I passed thru Pensacola I noticed my fuel was
really low. When I got to the stop sign at the end of the off ramp, it sounded to me
like a blown exhaust manifold gasket or a head gasket. It was really loud (ear-popping) and running really poorly, with no power. There was no milk or foaming on my dip stick, but the engine was really noisy and running rough with no power. I had to have it towed back 3 states, and I'm really devastated. I think rust or some sort of debris from the bottom of my tank, hit my engine. I never ran it down at the bottom. Does anyone have any ideas for me. I just returned from 2 tours in Iraq, and money is tight. We also received no FEMA and had no flood insurance. I hope my engine isn't blown. Thanks, for any help that can be rendered. I'm really hurting with all that's happened to us, including a recent death of
a loved one. You'll be doing a kind gesture by helping us with any advise!

Submitted: 1366 days and 18 hours ago.

Category: Ford

Value: $8

Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION

Posted by Fordster 1366 days and 16 hours ago.

Info Request

Your description of the sound isn't reallly enough info to form an opinion. Garbage in the fuel isn't going to cause noises in the engine. You need to be more specifis as to what the noises really are.

1366 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Hammer Time's Post: Hi: Being in my 50's, I've heard and seen about everything with engines. I put the part about the fuel being on 'E' because that was the only aspect that was different about the same time I broke down. I just drove 3,000 miles, but I changed the oil about 1,000 miles back. I've heard engines that load with a cracked manifold, and it also lost power and possibly compression. It was very load and running very rough. The truck sat about a year, while I was overseas. The person who changed my oil noticed the oil filter had rust on it, and ask was it sitting. It was running perfect, prior to breaking down. I had everything serviced at a dealer, before I went to Iraq. A full tune up, trans, rear end, etc. I hate to think, I blew the engine somehow. I guess my luck ran out sometime last year on everything, though I'm still alive. I wish I could tell you more facts. I was towed back yesterday. I knew not to run it anymore. Just that little time it ran, could've caused irreparable damage. Thanks!

1366 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Hammer Time's Post: Hi: Being in my 50's, I've heard and seen about everything with engines. I put the part about the fuel being on 'E' because that was the only aspect that was different about the same time I broke down. I just drove 3,000 miles, but I changed the oil about 1,000 miles back. I've heard engines that load with a cracked manifold, and it also lost power and possibly compression. It was very loud and running very rough. The truck sat about a year, while I was overseas. The person who changed my oil noticed the oil filter had rust on it, and ask was it sitting. It was running perfect, prior to breaking down. I had everything serviced at a dealer, before I went to Iraq. A full tune up, trans, rear end, etc. I hate to think, I blew the engine somehow. I guess my luck ran out sometime last year on everything, though I'm still alive. I wish I could tell you more facts. I was towed back yesterday. I knew not to run it anymore. Just that little time it ran, could've caused irreparable damage.

Posted by Danny 1366 days and 9 hours ago.

Info Request

Have you though that maybe a spark plug blew out or came loose from its hole in the head. Can you isolate the noise any?

Give us an idea where the noise is coming from left, right, ect.

1366 days and 7 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Danny's Post: Danny: I would be only guessing because it was in the middle of the night, and I shut it down and waited for a wrecker. I would say it came from the passenger side of the engine. I pulled the dip stick, and there was no signs of any contamination. There was also no fluids under the engine. It was as loud as hearing an old big block from the 60's with a blown exhaust manifold or worse. Maybe even louder. My instincts were a head gasket. The vehicle sat while I was overseas and I was worried about there being dregs in the bottom of the gas tank, but I think the fuel filter would catch that? I was very low on gas, for the first time since I was driving it again. I hadn't gone below a 1/4 tank, until that point. I'm sure it's a coincidence, but my recent chain of events tells me it's a big problem. I appreciate your taking the time to write me! -William

Posted by Fordster 1366 days and 6 hours ago.

Info Request

I think he may be right about that spark plug popping out.

1366 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Hammer Time's Post: I had the vehicle left at a shop in town. I thought there wasn't much purpose in bringing it to the house, and having it towed again. I paid $600 cash getting back from where I was. I wish I could follow this thread up in a few days, and tell you what the mechanic observed. My address is: Uc2it4us which is with AOL, if anyone is interested in my plight. I really do appreciate your help, and I wish I had more info for you to analyze. It was night, and I knew to shut it down. I also had no lighting with me. I've spent my life helping others, and being pretty self sufficient. It's hard getting used to being someone who needs help from others! Thanks, a million!

Posted by Danny 1365 days and 15 hours ago.

Answer

Good luck!

1364 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

Relist: I still need help.

Posted by Danny 1364 days and 3 hours ago.

Answer

What have you found out so far?

Posted by Danny 1364 days and 2 hours ago.

Info Request

Waht have you found out so far?

1364 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Danny's Post: Hi: Everything down here was closed yesterday and today for Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras, so my local shop was closed. I went over and turned the engine over yesterday. The engine noise comes from the passenger side, and it's very loud and it's very rough running. I did not think to check the oil pressure, because I turned on and off very quickly. I didn't notice anything else out of the ordinary. Thanks, for everything!

Answer

OK again i say it sounds like the spark plug blew out Can you look to see? it could simple as reinstalling a plug. But you must look at them on the noisy side! I can helps you and will but you must be able to do the leg work since I'm not there.

Accepts:
Expert:	Danny
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	2/28/2006

Ford Technician

Work for multi-line dealer Including Ford, Shop foreman, Ford certified.

Posted by Danny 1364 days and 2 hours ago.

Info Request

OK again i say it sounds like the spark plug blew out Can you look to see? it could simple as reinstalling a plug. But you must look at them on the noisy side! I can helps you and will but you must be able to do the leg work since I'm not there. I sent you a pm you should read it. I will be ofline 1 Hr while I drive home but will be online again

Edited by tactgear1 on 2/28/2006 at 8:31 PM

1364 days and 1 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Danny's Post: Hi: The truck is sitting in front of a repair shop about 15-20 miles away. I might break down and drive past there and take a look. I've known the owner of the shop for 30 years, and he's very honest. Though just 2 weeks ago I spent $2500 on a Jasper transmission, and I don't think he figured he'd see me so soon. This time if it's too expensive to fix, I'll tow it home and let it sit. I can't afford anything too huge right now! Our lives are very complicated right now, but we're survivors. Thanks, a million.

Posted by Danny 1364 days and 1 hours ago.

Info Request

If you fix it yourself it wont be very expensive. So lets find out what is wrong first.

1364 days and 1 hours ago.

Reply

Well, I just came back from looking at the engine. It appears that the back plug on the passenger side was blown apart. I could not tell if it was entirely blown out, but I could see that it's top half was laying on it's side. I will definitely know more tomorrow. It's rather dark and it's not safe out, with all the drunks riding around on Mardi Gras night. I will follow this up and pay you guys if my problem is all related to that plug. Thanks, again.

Edited by XXXXXXXX on 3/1/2006 at 12:39 AM

Posted by Danny 1363 days and 15 hours ago.

Info Request

If its not all the way you will be able to fix it very easy. if it is blown out the threads may be damaged and require repair.

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Info Request

Your description of the sound isn't reallly enough info to form an opinion. Garbage in the fuel isn't going to cause noises in the engine. You need to be more specifis as to what the noises really are.

Reply

Reply

Info Request

Have you though that maybe a spark plug blew out or came loose from its hole in the head. Can you isolate the noise any? Give us an idea where the noise is coming from left, right, ect.

Reply

Info Request

I think he may be right about that spark plug popping out.

Reply

Answer

Good luck!

Reply

Relist: I still need help.

Answer

What have you found out so far?

Info Request

Waht have you found out so far?

Reply

Answer

OK again i say it sounds like the spark plug blew out Can you look to see? it could simple as reinstalling a plug. But you must look at them on the noisy side! I can helps you and will but you must be able to do the leg work since I'm not there.

Info Request

Reply

Info Request

If you fix it yourself it wont be very expensive. So lets find out what is wrong first.

Reply

Info Request

If its not all the way you will be able to fix it very easy. if it is blown out the threads may be damaged and require repair.

Related Ford Questions

Have you though that maybe a spark plug blew out or came loose from its hole in the head. Can you isolate the noise any?

Give us an idea where the noise is coming from left, right, ect.