5.4 Cold Engine Knock
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ed4207
My engine has developed a hard knock over the last 20K miles to the point people turn to watch you go by. Noise seems to come from right front of engine. It doesn't use any oil and has same power as before am thinking about replacing timing chains to see if this helps. Engine doesn't shake and noise will go away at about 1500 RPMs. Will this help? PS engine has 350.000 mile on it. Thanks ED
New User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Knock fixed
Had new timing chains installed, noise is gone. Van's running great, hope to get another 200000 out of her before a new engine. Jeff thanks for your replay I am running 5w 20 and plan to until engine starts to use oil.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, Maryland
I have an 01 F250 5.4 purchased new and now at 61000 miles is still as quiet as it was from day 1. At the first oil change after purchase I put in mobil 1 15w50 and I've always used Fram filters without a problem. I change the oil and filter every 4000 miles . I live in Maryland and I use the 15w50 mobil 1 year round and have never had a problem with it. I wouldn't hesitate a bit to buy another new truck with a 5.4 engine and switch to the oil and filters I currently use.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Midland
2001 F250 5.4. Started cold knock at 48,000 roughly. Right now at 110,000 keeps getting worse every year but hasn't stopped it yet. It doesn't go away untill it's about half way up to temp. I'm running Rotella 5-40 Synthetic.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Naperville, IL
Another 5.4 joins the club. My '03 5.4 with 46,000 miles is now making some racket on cold starts. After you let it warm up and idle for a few minutes it goes away and runs smooth. It never made a sound last winter, I've probably put on 12,000 or so miles since then.
I always use Ford 5w20 and the Ford filter and I change the oil every 3k. I've had the truck two years and got it with 23,000 miles on it. I love the truck, haven't had a single problem with it since I've owned it. I wonder why it's making noise now?
I always use Ford 5w20 and the Ford filter and I change the oil every 3k. I've had the truck two years and got it with 23,000 miles on it. I love the truck, haven't had a single problem with it since I've owned it. I wonder why it's making noise now?
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Slight cylinder wear. Mine does it @ 68,000 a little bit. It doesn't hurt anything. Ford used short skirt pistons to reduce rotating weight.
They went back to longer skirts in the 3V engines in 04.
Early GM LS1 engines do this too.
They went back to longer skirts in the 3V engines in 04.
Early GM LS1 engines do this too.
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hi all, I haven`t read all the replies, but if it hasen`t been mentioned....there is a TSB for this.TSB #96727 & TSB 9588. There are several on this, what you have sounds like the one for the Variable cam timing kit.
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Have seen the timing chain tensioners push the gasket out and in that case loses oil prime on the chain causing a noise on startup until the tensioner pumps up with oil and then no more noise. just a thought
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
Just thought I would add my 2 cents. I have an 05 F250 and it has a nice knock in it upon startup when cold. It only has 12,000 miles on it. I was told by my dealer that it was a cam phaser on the drivers side. It went in to service, and when I got it back I realized that they replaced the wrong side (passenger side) cam phaser. Upon talking to them about this the service mgr mentioned that its normal for them to piston slap. ( yea right) Anyways it goes in tomorrow to have the drivers side cam phaser replaced, I am hopefull but doubtful that this will fix the knock. Always used napa gold filters and mobil1 5w-20. I love making payments and having a motor that knocks.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by wmcnally
I have a '98 with a 4.6l. Bought it with 6,000+ miles on it. On cold start up it had piston "noise" that lasted 10 to 15 seconds.
I changed the oil to Mobil 1 (5W-30)and used the recomended Motorcraft oil filter with the anti drainback valve. The "noise" was gone immediatly
and 10,000 miles later never heard again.:-)
I changed the oil to Mobil 1 (5W-30)and used the recomended Motorcraft oil filter with the anti drainback valve. The "noise" was gone immediatly
and 10,000 miles later never heard again.:-)
As many of us probably do, we go to our nearest oil/lube quick change and we get the oil filter that they carry on hand. Every time I have done my own oil changes, with the correct Motorcraft filter, the noise goes away.
Also, if memory serves me correctly, piston slap or rod knock or any other metal to metal related noise does not usually start on a cold crank, but only once the engine is warm or hot and never goes away.
-ed
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
My 05 knocks upon startup when cold or if it has sat for an extended period of time. Dealer heard the knock and decided it was the cam phaser. Dealer also mentioned the 5.4 s have "piston slap". First they replaced the wrong side, then replaced the correct side. I now have two new cam phasers. I run mobil 1 with napa gold filters-they do have a anti drainback valve in them. The truck only has 11,000 miles on it and it still knocks
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by LxMan1
The 3 Valve engines were supposed to get longer piston skirts to eliminate the slap.
Thanks LX,
I was told specifically that they all had the piston slap. The dealer is probrably wrong. I know there was a TSB or something on this but I cant seem to find it. It stated to "tell the customer its normal" but replace motors for persistant customers.
My cam phasers were just replaced, so I am in the process of deciding if I want the dealer to get into the motor any more. I dont want to end up worse off than I started. I wish I knew if it really was normal to knock or not. People cant seem to decide, some 5.4 blow up at 50k miles and others seem to go 150k with the knock.
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
question on cold start knock
Will the switch to a Motorcraft filter and synthetic oil help on a 5.4 with a remote filter.
Bought the truck with 130k on it.
Knock started at appx. 155k.
Hasn't gotten any worse and truck now has 175k with no oil leaks.
Knock drives my wife crazy (she drives it the most)
Bought the truck with 130k on it.
Knock started at appx. 155k.
Hasn't gotten any worse and truck now has 175k with no oil leaks.
Knock drives my wife crazy (she drives it the most)