I have a 98 F150 4.2 5speed and everytime I start my truck when its cold there is a ticking noise almost like sheetmetal noise i here for bout 2 sec and then goes right away. It only does it when the engine is cold. When the engine is warmed up it has never done it. Any suggestions?

Thanx
Matt

 

Your lifters are making noise because they need a bit until they are pumped up. Likely that you use too thick an engine oil. Use what is specified in your owners manual and I am pretty sure it will heal the problem. If not, the lifters might have gummed up. A few hundred miles with a good shot of marvel mistery oil will help clean them out (and thin the oil at the same time).


Hope this helps, George

 

I dont think its that b/c i have heard lifter noise before, I used to own a corvair, and i use 5w-30 mobil 1 so its not too thick. I had someone listen while i started it up and it was coming from the passenger side exhaust pipe. Were thinking that its the flap inside the pipe making that noise.

 

Is a cat. converter coming apart?

 

Check for broken exhaust manifold studs.
It's not really common on a 4.2 like on a 4.6 but it's still possible.