5.4 startup knock
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
It's hard to tell but the cam phasers might be the source.
Or if the oil weight is to heavey oil pressure is to slow to build.
Slow pressure build could hear rod and main bearing clearence noise or timing chain slap etc.
Even a filter could cause noise if it is not made the same as Motorcraft.
The oil should be 5w20.
Pay close attention to the noise. If it goes away very precisely it is oil pressure sensitive.
If it goes away slowly it may be temperature sensitive.
Good luck.
Or if the oil weight is to heavey oil pressure is to slow to build.
Slow pressure build could hear rod and main bearing clearence noise or timing chain slap etc.
Even a filter could cause noise if it is not made the same as Motorcraft.
The oil should be 5w20.
Pay close attention to the noise. If it goes away very precisely it is oil pressure sensitive.
If it goes away slowly it may be temperature sensitive.
Good luck.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 937
Likes: 0
Does it get worse the colder it is? What does the noise sound like? Heavy knock? Light knock? More of a tapping/ticking or a full blown knock? Does the noise appear to emanate from the bottom end or top end? It is consistent sounding or is the noise erratic? Does it ever make a similar noise on a hot start or at a hot idle? Did it just develop this cold start knock or has it been there the whole time?
It could be piston slap (an annoyance, not a problem), bad timing chain tensioner, leaking lifter, bad cam phaser, bad oil filter anti-drain back gasket, etc.
Cam phasers usually make a steady light knocking noise while hot, so I doubt that is your problem. To verify, unplug the cam phaser connector (at the front of the cam/valve cover) and see if the sound changes.
If you're running 5W-20, you may want to try a 0W-30 or 5W-30 and see if that impacts the noise at all. If so, it may indicate a chain tensioner or lash adjuster/lifter issue. The 3Vs don't "need" a 5W-20, and I can personally guarantee or 30 or even a 40 weight in of itself will not result in start up noise. Refer to Oasis Special Service Message 21217 for proof, the guys that harp on "only 5W-20" will probably drop a turd when they see what weight oil FORD ITSELF puts into the 3Vs to address noise concerns.
You also may want to try changing just the oil filter and see if that effects/eliminates the noise, even the best oil filters can sometimes be misbuilt.
It could be piston slap (an annoyance, not a problem), bad timing chain tensioner, leaking lifter, bad cam phaser, bad oil filter anti-drain back gasket, etc.
Cam phasers usually make a steady light knocking noise while hot, so I doubt that is your problem. To verify, unplug the cam phaser connector (at the front of the cam/valve cover) and see if the sound changes.
If you're running 5W-20, you may want to try a 0W-30 or 5W-30 and see if that impacts the noise at all. If so, it may indicate a chain tensioner or lash adjuster/lifter issue. The 3Vs don't "need" a 5W-20, and I can personally guarantee or 30 or even a 40 weight in of itself will not result in start up noise. Refer to Oasis Special Service Message 21217 for proof, the guys that harp on "only 5W-20" will probably drop a turd when they see what weight oil FORD ITSELF puts into the 3Vs to address noise concerns.
You also may want to try changing just the oil filter and see if that effects/eliminates the noise, even the best oil filters can sometimes be misbuilt.
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