1990 F250HD XLT-Lariat, 460 EFI, ZF-5Speed, BW TC 126,000 Miles. Yesterday I was checking my oil (cold) and it was half a quart low so I filled it up with the recomended oil, started it ran fine checked it after it cooled and it was full. Now this morning when I left for work I noticed for 1. it cranked over slower than usual, I figure the batt. is going by the looks of it plus the volt gauge before starting was almost in the red maybe 9-10.5 volts? still started though. 2. now there is a tick-tick-tick-tick-tick for about 5 seconds then abruptly goes away no drivability probs, oil pressure is good when cold and hot. When I got off work it did it again although maybe only 2-3 secs. then gone and it cranked over fine. Prev. owner has all records on service, oil changes between 3,000-5,500 miles. Could this just be a lifter leaking down when off or a bigger problem?

 

just got back in from an errand and on startup while ticking some (not belching but puffs) black smoke comes out the exhaust and quits right after ticking stops. any help much appreciated

 

in regards to the ticking at start up it could be originating from the valve train. to safeguard against dry start ups I would suggest using the Wix brand name oil filters because they utilize a check valve that keeps a prime on the oil pump. This reduces wear and tear on the top end internals. On a 5.0 F150 with 141000 miles on it there was an audible ticking that could be mistaken for a sticky lifter during idle as well as when the engine was under a load. The culprit was the pollution pumps check valve I disconnected and bypassed its pulley and now the truck idles as quiet as a new one. Another suggestion is to use the Lucas engine oil additive although beware that it is a heavy weight conditioner that increases the oils weight. For best results use it during the hottest months of the year and only on one oil change per year. It is a mistake to constantly run it all the time in an engine that you don't intend to rebuild every couple of years. I was informed by a local engine shop that the Lucas additive will collect on the oil scrubber rings and the longer that it is left in the engine the more it glazes the cylinder walls which will result in oil blow by

 

The Fuel pressure regulators for that specific generation of injection systems were notorious for failing, there has been numerouxs recalls on specific vehicles, i would suggest that you go to your nearest dealer and have them research your truck and see if it is on the list

best of luck

 

After rooting around the engine bay I looked at the oil filter and it looked like a blown up baloon, replaced it and changed the oil, oil pressure is better and the tick is gone the old filter was a Fram so i did put the wix on no more puffs of smoke either hopefully the filter will last till the next oil change without bloating up.

 

AHHA! Fram strikes again! Just stick to a good filter like a Wix or Motorcraft and you should be good.

-Matt

 

Dose the motorcraft, have the same check valve thing as wix? i switched on my last change to motorcraft, because of the fact that the local parts store didnt have my wix in stock, but is there a big diffrence, i also have this same click or tap, if you will at start up, but no smoke. and from what i can tell its just lack of oil for me at startup.

 

Motorcraft is a Purolator Pure1 filter, only cheaper. I found a webpage that reviewed different filters and they recommended the purolator. Fram was frowned upon. Several of the off brands are Fram, like Deutch and Stp. I can not find the link to the webpage. They cut each different filter open and compared the element in each. I only use motorcraft. I do not know about the check valve.

 

I found the link, here it is.

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/

BroncoBasher

 

Hmmm, i think im gonna stick with wix, or motorcraft after reading that, seems that there pretty good, to bad about fram though, i thought they were good