Engine knock (code 304)

[enodllew]

Broken valve spring (intake #4) and not a collapsed lifter. Luckily I discovered that before removing the intake.

The guy behind the counter at the local Ford dealer says that this is not a common problem. However the replacement spring was of a different design than the original. They usually don't change that stuff unless they have a reason.

[tomj22]

Read all replys to your problem. I'm a little lost at this point. Was the knocking caused by the broken valve spring. I have a knock also. Not sure if it is spark knock or something else. Almost sounds like a bad piston but it doesn't smoke and the compression is fine. Just wondering if it may be the valve or spring. It sounds more internal then a push rod hitting cover. It's not really consistant and doesn't knock at low rpm's but usually a lot at higher rpm's. Thanks if you can help

[enodllew]

Mine started out as almost a "miss" at all RPMs. Luckily it broke only a mile or two from home, and my wife had the good sense to bring her straight home.

I changed the plugs and did the TSB. Still "missed" but now worse. In hindsight, it was probably getting worse because as the engine ran, the two broken coils were winding down together and the valve was no longer sealing.

Mine did finally start sounding mechanical after a while. Still sounded more like it was coming from the intake rather than the head though.

I am sure that if my compression gage had fit, that the compression on #4 would have been nill.

[tomj22]

Thanks for the reply. Doesn't sound like we had the same problem. I did read on here that it may be carbon build up. I guess ford came out with a couple of chemicals at $4.00 a bottle to run through intake and it may clear it up. I'm going to try that.