4.6 tapping briefly
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 51
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4.6 tapping briefly
I have a 99 F150 W/ 4.6L that has approx. 130,000 miles. Within the last month, when it is started after sitting for a while, the engine has a tapping sound when accelerating from a stop until shift to second, and the tapping only lasts for approx. a mile, then quits. It does not tap just sitting at idle. To hear it, you have to have it in gear and accelerating. The tapping sometimes is very slight, sometimes very loud, and comes and goes. Sometimes, it doesn't tap for several days, then it might tap for a day and quit for a day or two. Other times, it taps for a few days in a row. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Randy
P.S. I am new to this forum but belong to others and know the value of these forums. They are great.
Thanks,
Randy
P.S. I am new to this forum but belong to others and know the value of these forums. They are great.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Welcome to the forum, Randy.
It sounds like a possible exhaust manifold leak. Inspect the manifold studs for broken or missing ones. Sometimes the studs break off that hold the manifolds to the heads. Look for black soot around the port areas on the heads.
It sounds like a possible exhaust manifold leak. Inspect the manifold studs for broken or missing ones. Sometimes the studs break off that hold the manifolds to the heads. Look for black soot around the port areas on the heads.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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I have examined the exhaust manifold bolts and have found none missing or any black soot indicating a leak. Upon further questioning of my wife, who drives the truck every day, she tells me that I was wrong about how often the tapping occurs. She tells me that the tapping occurs about every day on start up as described before. I was thinking about the lifters. What has been the experience with the lifters here?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by ford390gashog
if the tapping is every day at start up then there is a common theme. are you running a orange oil filter??????? they seem to have this destructive issue. they are also known as fram.
It sounds like a lazy lifter. When it is tapping, rev it up in neutral/park and see if it goes away right away. If it doesn't it sounds like the motor might have low oil pressure. Get it checked or hookup a mechanical gauge yourself to see what's going on.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
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From: Brentwood,CA
then you have been the lucky one. there is plenty of posts on there about the frams leaking past the ADBV and causing dry starts. the modulars also don't have lifters they have lash followers.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by ford390gashog
then you have been the lucky one. there is plenty of posts on there about the frams leaking past the ADBV and causing dry starts. the modulars also don't have lifters they have lash followers.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
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From: Brentwood,CA
Originally Posted by krewat
I said "lifter" knowing it made more sense to a general "someone" than the term lash-adjuster
yeah i figured that. just wanted to make sure.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 220
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From: Texas
I'm having the exact same symptoms on my 2004 5.4L 3V. It does not go away with rpm. Every day at first start up (cold engine) lasts for ~ 3 to 4 minutes. I'm running Motorcraft 5w-20 (per spec) and a Motorcraft oil filter.
May be a lash follower issue? Anyone with known fix for this?
May be a lash follower issue? Anyone with known fix for this?
