Stuck in a parking lot at the moment.

The new 3.9 I threw in the truck started knocking out of no where. Drove to work fine this morning and came out to start it now and ita making a knocking noise.

Starts and runs fine for about 3 seconds, then develops a loud erratic knock. Oil pressure is fine. Oil level is fine.

Could it be something else? It almost sounds like something is hitting something. Checked the fan to make sure it wasn't hitting anything and its not.

Anything else to check before I tow it?

 

Broken motor mount? Loose mount bolts. You did a hell of a lot of work, you may have not tightened something up quite right.

With the hood up and the engine at idle, does the knocking sound like it's coming from inside the engine?

 

Definitely sounds like inside the engine. Tell me this. If a spark plug end broke off and fell into a cylinder , would it rattle around and knock? Or would it get eaten up pretty quickly?

I never replaced the plugs.

It just started when I came out from work. No prior problems. I'm thinking spark plug because I can see it breaking from the cold weather now hitting the hot engine.

The question is.. do I tow it and waste 200 bucks? (I'm quite far from home) or is the damage already done and driving it won't matter.

If its the engine I'm done. I'm sick of this truck.

 

You never pulled the plugs to look at them?

They are the plugs that came with the engine?

I hope things are ok for ya good luck

 

I pulled cylinder 1 and it looked fine. So I didn't bother checking the others.

 

Could be a broken spark plug OR maybe there was something in the intake that fell in and is bouncing around the cylinders.

 

Either way that means new engine time again right?

 

If you keep driving it.

Find out what it is. Is it coming from the upper end, bottom end, near the transmission, front, where is it coming from?

A quick test, disconnect the belt. Then if you hear it the noise is the engine and not from the accessories.

 

Decided to have it towed to my mechanic.

If its anything more than $200 I'm saying good bye to the truck. Hope it doesn't come to that but I'm going to have to cut my losses.

 

Sleep on it. Maybe for the winter. Engine is still in it's guaranteed time, right? So if it's the engine, pull it out and take it back to the wrecking yard for an exchange. And then put the replacement in when you can stand to look at it.

OTOH, you've been saying that the trannie is kind shi**y. Maybe it's time to give the poor thing a proper burial.

I feel kinda invested. My stomach gave a turn when I saw the thread title earlier. Sorry, man.