start up engine tapping

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Nov 20, 2004 | 09:58 PM

matt d

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Joined: Nov 2004

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start up engine tapping

My 2001 ford f-150 ,5.4 has a tapping on start up..it only persist's for 3 minute's and goes away.The dealership say's that it's normal operation ON SOME 98-01, 5.4 engines.The engine operate's fine and has'nt burned any oil.The truck only has 30k on it.I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem?

Nov 25, 2004 | 07:06 PM

Fat Ford Boy

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Joined: Dec 2003

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From: Southeast Kansas

I too have a 2001. Was told that the oil comes from the bottom of the motor, and will hear a "tapping" from the engine, until the oil gets to the parts.

Nov 25, 2004 | 08:44 PM

JH6

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Joined: Jul 2004

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sounds like classic 5.4 piston slap to me.

What oil filter are you running, I would run a motorcraft filter if you aren't already doing so.

If you are using the right filter, then its just 5.4 piston slap.

Nov 27, 2004 | 10:38 AM

d0n_3d

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Joined: Sep 2003

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From: Valparaiso, Indiana

the 5.4L motor has very tight clearances and that cold start ticking is indeed piston slap...it's perfectly normal and my truck does it too...to minimize this, you need to run 5w20 oil (preferably the motorcraft brand because it's part synthetic) and a good oil filter such as the motorcraft filter...i do notice a major difference in the noise when i switch from 5w30 in the summer to 5w20 in the winter...my truck has 100k miles on it now and is doing just fine...