Cold Start Knocking - 5.4L

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Dec 7, 2012 | 12:34 AM

jvaski

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Cold Start Knocking - 5.4L

My 1998 F150 4WD with 5.4L engine has had a pretty solid knocking for the past few years - on cold startup only. It quiets down within a few minutes after the engine warms. The vehicle has 182,000 miles on it and maintained very well. No leaks, min oil usage and runs sweet. I'm still running 10/30 Castrol in it - live in the mountains.
The knocking doesn't sound like timing chain slap or rod knock....... it's more solid like a cam or the crankshaft ...... ??

Anyone know of a typical knocking these beasts get with lots of miles on em ?

Dec 7, 2012 | 08:09 AM

acogoff

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My 2001 5.4 w/150k miles clatters like a diesel on warm up. I have just been ignoring it, if some day it locks up, it locks up. Sounds like piston slap to me. The pistons do have a short skirt, making it more prone to noise as they wear, but what do I know.

Dec 7, 2012 | 11:25 AM

Outdoors4life

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I started using some synthetic 0W20 or 30 last winter and that helped any of the cold weather knocking and noises on startup. It also is easier on the starter in the cold.

Dec 7, 2012 | 12:08 PM

Bluegrass 7

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10w30 weight not good to use in these engines.
It should be lighter weight 5w20/30 to circulate under cold conditions.
Oil pressure is not the end game but getting lube to all parts of the motor faster on cold starts, is.
The oil sensor is right above the oil pump with the filter and sees the pressure first before the rest of the motor.
The camshaft tensioners are oil pressure operated and may not get that pressure as soon with heavey oils weight as lighter oil would do.
When they do with heavier oil, the tensioners put to much extra tension on the chains from the high pressures and tensioner guides wear excessivly.
You may have this guide wear causing noise and /or piston rocking until they heat and expand.
Good luck.

Dec 7, 2012 | 02:14 PM

Breeze104

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There is a good chance it is the Idler for the timing chain. At least it was in my case.

2000 F150 Lariat 5.4L

Also, with the 5.4L's you need to be running 5W-20 and don't switch oil brands. This is what I have found out when replacing my motor with a new one.

Dec 7, 2012 | 07:55 PM

jvaski

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Cold Knocking

Thanks Guys......
All input is appreciated ! Yea, after reading another lengthy post regarding this - I have come to a conclusion that piston slap makes the most sense to me. It's louder when it's very cold, and not bad when it's moderately cold. In either case - the noise always goes away after about a minute of warming up.
I recall hearing piston slap in engines when I was a foreign car mechanic 20 years ago..... and this resembles that noise with exception that it's heavier because it's huge pistons.
I may try an experiment with lighter oil if the noise gets louder - but with 182k mi I don't want to invite heavy oil usage and plug fouling.
As one of you suggested ......... with high miles - if it blows it blows !

Dec 7, 2012 | 08:23 PM

Spotty

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From: Minnesota

Mine has 235,000 and has a light knock on start up when cold out. Goes away in about 20 seconds. Has been that way for years....sounds like when you first start it up after changing oil....that kind of noise. Mine will also blow out a bunch of smoke now and then...like bad valve guides...then be fine for another 3-4 months. I have always used 5-30w and it sits outside in cold Minnesota winters, I do plug it in though if below -10 though. LOL....as far as brand....whatever is on sale, it's only staying in for 3,000 miles. I do use a Motocraft filter though. I wouldn't worry about it.