Help!!! I think i broke a Piston! :( - Ford Mustang Forums

JaySnipe · #1 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008, 04:10 PM

I was driving home from Upstate New York with the body all done and stuff just a few little parts to be sanded down and everything and then i heard a big rattle it seemed like and didn't sound the same at all.. It drives the same but it just sounds different and feels a little different.. I had my cousin and room mate look at it and he said it might be a piston.. Any help on getting that fixed/replaced and what would be the cheapest and best way of doing it.. Thanks in advance

Jason

JaySnipe · #2 (**permalink**) 09-24-2008, 05:11 PM

Bump!!!!!!!!!!

auggie · #3 (**permalink**) 09-24-2008, 05:32 PM

Hello Jason, sorry to hear about the problems with your pony. I found a few posts that should be useful to help diagnose the root cause.

1994 Mustang GT, Loss of power, busted pistons? - Ford Mustang Forums

Questions about an 89 ford mustang lx? - Yahoo! Answers

You can also try giving a call to any of our site sponsors at the top of the page on the attached link. I am sure they have seen it all and would be able to give you ballpark cost estimates for the parts that are needed.

http://www.mymustangsite.com/parts.php

SCARY46 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-24-2008, 07:44 PM

Sorry to hear friend. Unfortuanately you can't tell until you pull it apart and look. Spun rod bearings tend to make all kinds of noise and still allow the motor to run somewhat normal. If you broke a piston or rod, it would run extremely rough and maybe not even run at all depending on the position the piston and/or rod were left in.
Either way don't drive your stang, pull the motor apart and fix it. You run the risk of doing more damage to your crankshaft if it is a piston or rod.

jthorn9 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-24-2008, 10:14 PM

If it's a broken piston rod, you'd know it, the engine would struggle to run (if at all) and would vibrate extremely bad. It's probably a bearing, or maybe even something simple. I'd park it, and call a few shops to see who gives free inspections (usually Firestone does) and see exactly what it is. If it's any internal engine part it's going to be an expensive repair, expect $1500 plus, and will require some decent knowledge to do yourself.

JaySnipe · #6 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 02:16 AM

Hey thanks for all the help and info.. I had another friend look at it that used to have an 89 Mustang.. and he told me it is most likely the Intake Manifold and not the pistons..
I drove it today for a little bit nothing major no real damage to the car i hope drove it normal for some time.. It doesn't struggle or anything to go or anything.. It sounds a lot weaker as if something is loose or not on correctly.. It's hard to explain seeing how you would have to see or drive it to understand.. I already knew i needed a head gasket that i will be getting soon but seeing how this happened i guess i will need more. Any words of advice on a intake manifold..?? What's the price range of that bad boy lol.. Also tomorrow i'm going to have my landlord.. who is like the master of all cars.. he's been repairing cars for over 40 years now so i'm going to ask him to look at it and let him tell me the run down of it. I figured since i just repaired all of the body work all the rust and body damage i knew something else was going to go that is how my luck is but hey i love my car and i'll get it fixed... thanks for all the help guys..

Jason

mobileaudio219 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 02:59 PM

If you have to rebuild the motor find a low milage explorer 5.0 and swap in a decent cam, upgrade the valve springs, throw on your fead and your intake and carb and see a nice really nice hp/tq gain...

Lucky · #8 (**permalink**) 12-08-2008, 03:40 AM

i took the upper part of my engine apart its no biggie kind of fun actually. did it my first time with lil knowledge but i learned more as i did it. so what im sayin if it nothing major do it yourself. check your pcv, but you said rattle i never experinced that so sorry