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engine clicks on start-up

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Old Oct 24, 2005 | 09:35 AM
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hydrology_joe's Avatar
hydrology_joe
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engine clicks on start-up

First, the good news...

I cleaned the throttle body & MAF this weekend and JEEZUS! I cannot believe the difference it made in the performance. Everything runs so much smoother and I have even noticed an increase in acceleration. I am NEVER going to ignore that cleaning again! Thanks to everyone for their insightful posts & comments!



Now, the bad news...

With the colder morning temperatures, I have begun noticing that my engine makes 4 rapid clicks on startup. (kinda of a tck-tck, tck, tck pattern with a slight pause after the second & third clicks) I am thinking this could be the oil drain down because of the filter. I am due for an oil change so I will see if that will help. I noticed the sound during the cold startups the past couple of years and didn't think twice about it until I read the posts here. What would be my next steps in fixing this if the new filter doesn't help? Thanks!
 
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Old Oct 24, 2005 | 09:47 AM
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What process did you use to clean the throttle body?
 
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Old Oct 24, 2005 | 10:21 AM
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hydrology_joe
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I followed the process as described on the discussion forums.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=127398

I used a teflon safe air intake / throttle body cleaner spray followed by a blow-out with compressed air. I only sprayed a little TB cleaner at a time and then dried it.

For clarification, the ticking noise has also happened in past years during cold startups... not just since I cleaned the TB.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2005 | 08:11 PM
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I would do the oil change with the recommended oil/motorcraft filter and see what happens, if it continues put an oil pressure gauge on it an see if you have pressure when you start it up.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2005 | 10:36 PM
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its probly a rocker knock my old 92 ranger 2.3 does it and so does my mom 99 taurus. is it worse if you let the vehicle sit a long time without starting it??
 
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Old Oct 25, 2005 | 11:47 AM
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Thanks Ken, I will get the oil changed this weekend. My time is already budgeted until then.

I don't know if the noise is "worse" if the truck sits a long time without starting, it is just more likely to occur. The noise is most common during morning startups in colder weather.
 
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Old Nov 29, 2005 | 08:14 AM
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The oil & filter has been changed with no improvement. I have found that if I let the truck sit for about 30 seconds with the key in the "On" position before starting it, the noise doesn't occur. I discovered this after getting into my truck one morning and trying to get organized before starting. I had the key in the on position while I was arranging my junk and when I started the truck... no clicking noise. I made sure and tested the scenario several times to be sure it wasn't a fluke and it really does alleviate the noise. Anyone have a clue what could be the cause? Leaving the key in the "On" position is just a patch, I would like to know what the problem is so it can be fixed. Thanks!
 
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Old Nov 29, 2005 | 09:04 PM
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Thats a wierd one, are you sure it's coming from the engine. I would get some else to start it to make sure it's not coming from another location.
 
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Old Nov 29, 2005 | 09:09 PM
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Very strange indeed, that just affects the fuel delivery. Get someone else to start the truck and use a screwdriver as a stethoscope and touch the various parts of the engine, both heads, front, accessories, etc, and see if you can pinpoint the noise. Caution the fan and moving parts. I know you don't have much time, but this will help.
 
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