Good morning. A little background, I bought a new wrangler 2.5 years ago. Decent fun little vehicle. However, I bought a camper for my property up north, so i had to rent a truck... just so happened to be an F250 super duty. I fell in love instantly. Within 2 weeks of looking I bought a 2013 6.2 loaded XLT with 59k miles. Love it as much as I love the diesel I rented. I originally wanted a diesel, but they are expensive compared to the gassers, and diesel here is over 50 cents more a gallon... so i went with the 6.2.

Anyway, I have a question. When it's cold out... and i first start it up, there is a decently loud ticking for about 2 minutes, then it goes away. Sounds to me like an exhaust leak or worn out lifter. But those sounds usually don't go away after one minute. It's only when it's warming up. I'm at a loss. Could it be my oil? If so what oil is recommended for these beasts? Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

Congrats on the new truck! The startup ticking is a common occurrence. Look around here for several threads. Doesn't seem to be a problem. I have yet to see a failure or repair noted here as a result of self-limited startup ticking. Leading theory seems to be lifter noise as the oil pressure rises to adjust them.
Enjoy the SD!
-W

 

Check in down in the 6.2 forum. There is a current thread on that tick noise now. I sometimes have a tick, not all the time. I will go to synthetic on my next oil change to see what that does for it. The ticking is a non issue. Congrats on the 6.2!

 

There is an ongoing thread in the 6.2 section about the ticking on start up. It's very common and not a concern. We are starting to see lots of miles put on the engines. Mine only ticks sometimes on warm starts when the truck has sat 15-20 minutes. I added some STP at the last oil change and it's seemed to help. You may try switching to 5w30, as ford has went back to it from 5w20 for the '16 model year. The 6.2 is not quiet under the hood. The fan is loud, and the injectors are overly loud. But it's smooth and quiet in the cab with a good exhaust tone. Check the 6.2 section out, it's fairly active and lots of good info. Congrats on your new truck.

 

Thanks both of you on the response! So you have a tick on a 2017?! I'm not too concerned then ha ha. Same here, it's only sometimes, and only ever on start up.

 

Ha ha, I'm a slow draw today.

 

my opinion...

having hydraulically controlled camshaft timing. when Cold the cam timing is retarded... and does change the engine sound...

so type and weight of motor oil may or may NOT change how the sound is when cold.

and NOT all 6.2L makes that sound. but no one has reported a failure ..
I have 149,000 miles on my 6.2L, and the engine has never been worked on.

 

That would make sense as to why it only happens intermittently. Thanks for the response everyone!

 

Congrats on the new truck. for the ticking- it is normal. my 16 has done it occasionally since the day I brought it home. only happens for 5 second max...then again I'm in sunny Florida and the oil is 90-100 degrees to begin with..

 

Very normal, although I have not experienced it yet in my new truck. Nothing to be concerned or worry about. Drive it and enjoy your ride!

 

Got the ticking on my 2015 as well, just think its a slow oil bath in the cold. I have had thoughts about running a slightly thinner oil to see if it would help or not. no issues with mine thou, once warm she is fine.

 

I switched to 5/30 synthetic, I have yet to have any odd noises at startup.. it's only been 100 miles but usually first start every day it does it.

The 16's call for 5/30... in my eyes that's fords way of admitting an issue.

 

My 2015 6.2 doesnt have 10k miles on it yet and I have the tick when its cold. There doesnt seem to be any other issue with the truck and it pulls like a tank. I wouldnt worry about it since it goes away when it warms, as does mine.

Dave

 

My 15' has the intermittent "tick". I hate to use the Characteristic, but .. its not uncommon.

 

I have a 2011 f250 6.2 with 113k miles. I have that tick when it first starts. Now it got louder. Took it to the Ford garage and the say it is a bold broke off the exhaust manifold. To fix the problem they would have to remove the exhaust manifold and if the stud break off they would have to putt the engine to drill the studs. I think the one that is broke off is accessible. The gasket might be bad. Can I patch the gasket if I can replace the bolt?