I have 114 k on my 97 e150 6 cyl. Always got 15 mpg, not much power. Yesterday it started shaking and making pinging noises. Nothing obvious visually. Heard it might be transmission or dropped piston. Anything else it might be? Would love any advice or direction before I send it off to a mechanic that I don't know. Would like to troubleshoot it before I send it to em. Great van. Want to keep it going. Any ideas where to start? Thanks. Jef

 

The shaking could be a cylinder not firing and that cold be caused by defective spark plug, wire, valve or even bad fuel.
What kind of maintenance has been done and when?

 

Just oil/filter changes. It has only gotten 15 mpg since I bought it, supposed to get 20, alwys had low power, and cruise never worked smooth enough to work. I heard from the original owner that it sat and got water in the fuel but Ive ran it 17k since then. I put plugs/wires in it about 7 k ago. It shifts and drives but I'm worried it will seize. Its a metal/ metal sound. gets worse with acceleration and calms down at idle. towards the rear of the block. Gonna pull the plugs and see what they look like before I do anything else. Lost right now. Anything ideas are helpful, thank you.

 

its knocking at the exhaust where the o2 sensor goes in, directly under the exhaust. not sure if this is the convertor or not

 

think something is in the exhaust, is it possible for something to have broken off in their thats making the noise? thank you, any ideas helpful

 

Yes! It is entirely possible the substrate in the catalytic converter is in pieces and is providing an obstruction in the exhaust system. This could certainly explain the loss of power and the noise. If I remember correctly , those converters were an assembly with two pipes from the exhaust manifold and were very expensive. Nothing compared to major engine work and the bonus, after the repair, is increased MPG and more power.

 

Thanks, think ill do any damage by driving it as is?

 

Because you are getting pinging, that is not good. Would not recommend driving it in it's present condition.

 

Thanks. Yeh, guess i shoulda known better than to buy a van maintained by the ford dealer in wilson county, Texas. Just all about taking retired vet's money(first owner)