I have a 1997 F-150 w/5.4L engine that has 106000 miles on it.
When I start the engine after it has been sitting over night it sounds like all the oil has drained out of the head. The lifters (I think) are making a lot of noise. The noticable sound seems to go away after a couple of miles driving or I just can't hear it because of other normal noises one hears.

My local Ford repair center states the problem is wrist pin noise and not to worry. Any engine noise to me is not right. I have had no other problems with the engine.

I know I am paranoid, but am I paranoid enough?

 

My 97 5.4 does the same and my problem is piston slap. Goes away in 2 or 3 minutes after the engine warms up. It goes away gradually as the pistons increase slightly in size to fit the bore better as they heat up. I have done a use oil analysis on mine and it came back great. Does not do it so bad in warmer weather. Probably will do not harm other than be a nuisance to you. I have just learned to live with mine. By the way mine has 112,000 miles now.

 

My '02 Expedition has a terrible knocking problem during the first 2 minute of runtime every morning. It has exhibited the sound since brand new. I've taken it to 3 dealerships now, twice leaving it overnight, only to be told they could hear anything!

Since it makes the same banging noise every morning, I find that impossible to beleive. I've read some notes on the internet that the engine has a defect with either the oil pump, or a cam chain tensioner (oil pressurized).

Has anyone had problems similar to this? It's been going on since day-one, with no help from the different dealerships I've gone to. I have 50k miles on the vehicle now.

Thanks.

 

Sounds like the good ole piston slap. It will not hurt the engine. It is from the use of shorter piston skirts to eliminate some resiprocating weight. In 2004 they added longer skirts to the pistons.
Just a note, a lot of GM LS1 engines do this too. It's annoying, but not a major problem.

 

My 03 does this also for z couple seconds in the morning. Although I am not overly concerned, I do wonder why they don't all do it? My fathers 03 never makes a peep.

 

I have a 2002 4.6 that will do this occasionally. Since it only does it once in a while, I figured it was a computer problem that was advancing the timing too much. Mine only lasts for a second or two, though. I had the same thing happen with a 94 Grand Marquis with a 4.6.

 

mine's got that same noise, short skirts slapping the sides.....hmmm..oops let me get my thoughts back on track...hmm..... i.just let her it warm up for a couple of minutes .the truck...guys! geez......

 

My 5.4L has done the same thing since new it also had a loss of power I was told it was normal, I blew a spark plug out to find it hadn't been firing properly for 70K miles it blew out but was kept in place by the harness and the coil, there is a defect in the heads and Ford is telling the dealer it is normal

 

I stumbled upon your site while searching for answers.
I have a couple of sound bits of my noise. Does this sound like ya'lls?
A poster from anothe forum said it sounded like piston slap and I have no reason to doubt him. I've had it to two shops, one dealer and one independant and both said it was either timing chain or lash adjusters. One shop replaced the TC,tensioners, guides and lash adjusters at no charge to me because it didn't fix the problem.
Here's the noise. The first one is with me putting the truck in gear just as it begins to make the noise.
2000 F-250 5.4L 115000mi
YouTube - engine noise
YouTube - Engine noise

 

I started using 5w-20 motorcraft oil and themotorcraft oil filter on my 97 andthe startup noise quieted down a bunch.

 

I have been using Penzoil 5w-20 and recently switched to Motorcraft semi-synthetic 5w-20 and Motorcrft filter. I didn't notice a diffrence in the noise.
I went out this morning to attach a remote oil pressure guage but I just got out of a cast from a broken leg+surgery and I don't think I need to be crawling around under my truck.
I guess I'll just drive it. If it is piston slap, so be it. I'm getting ready to pull my RV to Houston/Galvaston next week. I just hope the engine holds up.

I should also mention that I added some STP syrup last week thinking that might help. It had no effect on the noise. I'm not leaving that in there long. If it had worked, I was going to switch to a heavier oil. I may anyway.