OK well I have a little problem. My new truck has 18,000 miles on it now and I've had it less than a year. On cold starts, it makes a terrible noise for a few seconds immediately after it starts. Sounds like someone shaking a can full of soda can tabs. I don't know if the starter motor isn't disengaging fast enough, or if it's not getting oil pressure fast enough, or if it's the timing chain problem everyone has or what. I took it to the dealer and they called Ford and Ford engineers said "3 to 5 seconds of that noise after startup is normal". That's a total joke. My engine sounds like it's going to come apart each morning when I first start it up. Then when it warms it's fine. If anyone has any ideas I'd sure welcome them.

 

I don't think it's the tensioner issue. It doesn't seem to fit into that mold.

If you think it might be an oil-starvation issue, then right before cold starts, try mashing the pedal to the floor and holding it there so that the fuel-injectors are cut off, and then let the starter crank for a few seconds before letting up on the pedal and starting the engine. This will allow some oil flow and oil pressure to be built up.

See what happens then, if you still hear the same noise.

 

Yeah Rock it doesn't seem to fit the typical description of the timing chain problem. But it's just a theory. Obviously it's got to be a moving part that's causing the noise so I'm just considering everything. I really should get the lady to start it for me each morning while I crawl up under it to try and pinpoint a location on the noise. As of right now I'm leaning toward possibly a low oil condition on startup as you mentioned. First thing I'm going to try is a fresh oil change with 5W-30 (using 10W-30 now) to see if somehow that makes a difference. I'll post what I find. Thanks.