5.4L Noisy Lifter Problem
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5.4L Noisy Lifter Problem
When starting my 5.4L, the lifters start clacking and after a few seconds, they quiet down and everything is fine. This just started out of the blue. Motor has 70,000 miles on it and has been serviced regulary since I have had it. It's as though all the oil drains down into the crankcase after shutting off the engine and when starting, the oil has to circulate before it gets quiet again. Motor runs very strong. I am using 10W/40W oil and add a quart of Rislone at every oil change. Any ideas? Thanks.......Dan
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Ohio
Traps2 i have the exact same problem with mine. I have a 6.8L though. It only does it though when its cold out never does it in the summer. Is this hurting the engine? I just let the truck warm up in the morning extra long to get the oil circulating to the lifters so i don't damage the engine. Is there a fix to this?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by Trap2
When starting my 5.4L, the lifters start clacking and after a few seconds, they quiet down and everything is fine. This just started out of the blue. Motor has 70,000 miles on it and has been serviced regulary since I have had it. It's as though all the oil drains down into the crankcase after shutting off the engine and when starting, the oil has to circulate before it gets quiet again. Motor runs very strong. I am using 10W/40W oil and add a quart of Rislone at every oil change. Any ideas? Thanks.......Dan
biz
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by Trap2
Biz....
It is a 2003....Dan
It is a 2003....Dan
What I believe you might be hearing is known as "piston slap". Very common issue with the modular engines. According to FORD...it does not cause any unusual wear or engine issues. If it is "piston slap", then nothing can be done...minus a complete rebuild.
However, that is why it is so important to use the correct oil weight. Helps keep the motor properly lubed under all driving conditions.
Maybe someone else will chime it too...
--> i eat hybrids -- I believe you have the same issue...and it is "piston slap".
Good luck...
biz
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Peoria, IL
I seem to remember someone on here once said something about the oil filters causing this sometimes too. They said that certain oil filters didn't have the right seals and when you shut down the engine it allowed the oil to drain out of the top end. So when you first started it took a while for oil to get back up there. I do not know if this is right, or if I am even remembering things right, but thought I should bring it up in case someone else remembered it.
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Biz.......
I understand it could be piston slap, however, within a minute or so after starting the engine the noise completely disappears. If I give it some throttle and bring up the RPM's, it is as quiet as it can be with no sounds of piston slap, etc. I would think that piston slap would continue as the RPM's are raised and be readily noticeable, as would be rod knock, especially when letting off the throttle......Dan
I understand it could be piston slap, however, within a minute or so after starting the engine the noise completely disappears. If I give it some throttle and bring up the RPM's, it is as quiet as it can be with no sounds of piston slap, etc. I would think that piston slap would continue as the RPM's are raised and be readily noticeable, as would be rod knock, especially when letting off the throttle......Dan
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: PA
Had the same issue at one point. I cahanged to full synthetic 5W30 and the noise never reappeared. I used the Motorcraft 5W20 for the 1st 3 oil changes, and hated it. ALways drained out black like a diesel, and knocked on start up. Swithed to synthetic, no problems ever again. I have always used a Motorcraft filter as well. MY truck was purchased brand new and has less than 19K on the odometer. I change the oil every 3000 miles synthetic or no synthetic.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sioux City, Iowa
My SD did the same thing until i switched filters to motorcraft, and using the 5w 20 oil. I had tried running 5w30 but it made the "piston slap" noise at startup. Switched to ford spec, no noise and life is good!!!!!!!!!!!1
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 137
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From: Ponca City, OK
This has been discussed several times before on this site. I have a 2003 5.4 with 92,000 miles and it has made the same noise at cold start up since 25,000 miles. I use only Mobil 1 10w30 with the Motorcraft filter. I do not think it is of any concern because it has never gotten worst in all those miles. Someone once commented that the noise was from the timing chain tensioner which uses oil pressure to supply the proper tension. But I never read anything that confirmed this...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2006
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Bumping up an old thread.
Just starting getting this noise on my 2008 3v 5.4 - - ONLY on cold start up. Lasts maybe 4-5 seconds. If I let it warm up I wont hear it while driving. If I drive it right away I can hear it in the cab until its warm.
It is SILENT when the engine is warm. Runs great, strong, not oil burning. 5W-20 and Motorcraft Filters. Just starting making the noise at 72,000 miles. I even changed the oil thinking the filter was bad.
Matt
Just starting getting this noise on my 2008 3v 5.4 - - ONLY on cold start up. Lasts maybe 4-5 seconds. If I let it warm up I wont hear it while driving. If I drive it right away I can hear it in the cab until its warm.
It is SILENT when the engine is warm. Runs great, strong, not oil burning. 5W-20 and Motorcraft Filters. Just starting making the noise at 72,000 miles. I even changed the oil thinking the filter was bad.
Matt
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2025
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Chain slap
Biz.......
I understand it could be piston slap, however, within a minute or so after starting the engine the noise completely disappears. If I give it some throttle and bring up the RPM's, it is as quiet as it can be with no sounds of piston slap, etc. I would think that piston slap would continue as the RPM's are raised and be readily noticeable, as would be rod knock, especially when letting off the throttle......Dan
I understand it could be piston slap, however, within a minute or so after starting the engine the noise completely disappears. If I give it some throttle and bring up the RPM's, it is as quiet as it can be with no sounds of piston slap, etc. I would think that piston slap would continue as the RPM's are raised and be readily noticeable, as would be rod knock, especially when letting off the throttle......Dan
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