noisy start-up

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Oct 5, 2006 | 09:02 PM

gk45

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noisy start-up

I had a 03 exp and noticed a loud rattle on start up. It sounded like it was coming from the top of the engine. Its not a lifter tick type noise, its more of a rough sound kind of like if you drop a hand full of marbles into a metal pan. The noise only lasted for a split second. I noticed it only did this on the first start-up of the day, especially if it hadnt been started for two or more days. I recently traded the 03 for a 06 and my wife noticed the same noise one morning. I change oil and filters regular and only use motorcraft. 2006 exp xlt 5.4

Oct 5, 2006 | 10:35 PM

98expeditionXLT

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From: MA

I have a 98 with a 5.4 and almost 100K miles on it. With gas prices so high, we use the Exp sparingly so when I start up after driving my commuter car all week, the Exp sounds like a bucket of bolts. Even my 15 year old son recently made the comment that the Exp engine sound like my friend's F350 Power Stroke. I checked with Ford several times and each time they tell me the engine sounds normal for that mileage. I plan to keep on driving. If I get less than 200k miles out of this engine, I will buy something other than Ford.

Oct 5, 2006 | 10:46 PM

bridge

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From: League City, TX

My '06 has the same noise. In fact it's been at the dealer since wednesday morning for hard cold starts, rough idle, lots of noise at start (sounds like my first car, an '85 Blazer with a bad exhaust manifold gasket), excessive road noise with a wobbling sound that changes with speed, a rattling passenger air bag cover, and insufficient A/C cooling. I call late today to see if they had any news for me and they told me the A/C clutch was not working correctly...still waiting to here on the rest of the issues.

I too change my oil regularly with full synthetic. Between my last oil change it consumed most of it

Needless to say I'm very concerned about the longevity of this vehicle. It replaced an '01 EB Expy that went over 100K with no powertrain problems whatsoever.

Oct 6, 2006 | 08:42 AM

SMIGGS

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I have had some experience with the rattling noise on start-up. I had it with my 99 F-150 5.4L believe it or not once I stopped using a cheap fram oil filter and started using motorcraft filters the noise wasn't as loud or most of the time non-existant. Same thing with my Expy, was making the same noise so I switched out the fram filter that was on there when I bought it and used a good quality motor oil and it was gone. In the winter I use a 0w-30 oil because of the bitter coldness we usually have to go thru up here in Canada and 5w-30 in the summer.

I have a buddy who has a 2005 F-150 with the 5.4 and it was making a simular sound on start-up. It turned out the be the cam phasers which were replaced or fixed under warranty.

Oct 6, 2006 | 10:27 AM

98expeditionXLT

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From: MA

Smiggs,
I currently have a Fram oil filter on my Expedition and by coincidence I have plans to change my oil tonight as we are taking a trip this weekend. I normally use the Motorcraft filter but last time my auto parts store was out of stock, hence the Fram. I have a Motorcraft filter that I plan to install with this oil change.
You also jogged my memory as I had a similar problem years ago with an International Scout engine. This engine always ran better when I used a Wix filter than with the more common brands like Fram or Prestolite.
I will let you know what my observations are after the weekend and oil change with the Motorcraft filter.

Oct 6, 2006 | 11:43 AM

SMIGGS

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Cool, I hope that it helps some for you.

Oct 6, 2006 | 07:12 PM

gk45

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ok, i think the motorcraft filter has a valve type thing inside to prevent oil from draining out.(820S) I dont think oil can drain out even if you used a cheapy type filter , because its position would not allow it. This rattle is not a dry start ,deep in the gut sound , its more in the top half. Thanks for the info guys, waiting to hear from ya. gk45