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Unsolved Mysteries

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Trailer Tow Mirror Lights
New FoMoCo Cupholders
Torque Converter Diagrams
Turbo Bolt Wiring

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Unsolved Mysteries


Ok, I am not Robert Stack, but if you have any information on the following, please let us know! We have been racking our brains trying to figure out causes and/or solutions to these problems. Note: not all vehicles exhibit these problems and maybe a select few have them. But, these are the ones that have stumped FoMoCo and the braintrust on the forums


Mystery #1:  Yup, The Fuel Cackle/Knock

What exactly is the problem: No knows exactly. The only existence of the problem is a sound eminating from the engine compartment sounding like a ball peen hammer banging on the engine or an uneven rattle. My truck may display this and I hope to get a recording of it to display for the world to see. See this link for more information.

Want to listen to it? Here ya go.

What We Know:

  • Ford is looking into the condition but they have not stated any solutions to the problem. They have stated that dealers should not attempt to fix it. Some dealers are not even aware of this problem.
  • January seems to be the date when the fix is coming.
  • Stanadyne Fuel Additive seems to work in some situations. It doesn't completely fix it but it does make it barely perceptable.
  • It seems to come after a high temp run followed by stop and go cool down. (Running at high throttle then going easy for awhile).
  • Higher Cetane fuel helps
  • The #6 or #8 Cylinder is the cause of the noise.
  • Fuel Starvation?

Forum Link to threads dealing with the issue:

Type in "Cackle Knock" and search in the 99+ archives, along with Engine and Powertrain. Everything about the subject will be displayed.

Also, if you feel something needs to be added to this section, mail me.

Mystery #2: Turbo Bolts bolting

What exactly is the problem: Well, there are a few bolts holding the turbo halves together and those bolts have a tendency of backing out of their holes and falling out. I haven't heard of anything major happening but the mind boggles on what could happen.

What we know:

NEW: Safety Wiring Diagrams!

  • All 4 bolts have the magic ability to back out.
  • High temperature Loc-tite™ doesn't seem to work all the time. Though it does seem to work certain times.
  • Bolts are a Ni-Cr-Mo combination designed to withstand high temps. The turbo runs at 1200° F.
  • SSM 13127 (Special Service Message) FoMoCo issued stated that vehicles prior to April 1st 1999 exhibit the problem.
  • We know that SSM is wrong. Some 2000 turbos have this problem as well.
  • PS4Dave has a great page on this issue

Forum Link to threads dealing with the issue (Warning, Everybody has asked about this):

Type in "Turbo Bolts" and search in the 99+ archives, along with Engine and Powertrain. The threads will be listed

Also, if you feel something needs to be added to this section, mail me.