Cold Start Knock
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Cold Start Knock
Hello everyone, I have about 14,000 miles on my 2002 F-350 with a V-10 now and recently just returned from a trip over 1000 miles one way. Well to make a short story even longer... I started my truck up after it sat overnight and to my surprise I hear a knocking type of clatter coming from the engine which lasted for about 30 seconds then it quit making the noise. I thought that maybe after the long drive averaging 75 mph maybe used some oil or something but to my surprise it was full, and to make matters even more interesting, I changed the oil with the recommended 5 w 20 as well as use the Motorcraft filter with the anti drain back valve in hopes of curing the problem but it did not make any difference. I thought that Ford fixed this problem? What can I do now? I got rid of Chebby for this very same problem. Can anyone give me advice on what to do about this, I am sure the Dealer will use the same technic that GM tried to pull which was that the noise was normal or that it was carbon build up or some other BS.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: SLC
Cold Start Knock
This seems to be an ongoing discussion. Check out this thread, it may help a bit.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/DCForumID43/336.html
Mine still does it a little first thing in the morning or after a long time without starting
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/DCForumID43/336.html
Mine still does it a little first thing in the morning or after a long time without starting
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Cold Start Knock
Thank you for the reply, apparently this cold start knock issue is either a sore subject or one that is really not an issue with most people here. Like i said before, I got rid of a lemon knocker Chebby truck because of this problem and I sure would hope that this is not happening to me all over again. I love my truck and everything else is first rate with it, but this knock leaves me wondering.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Cold Start Knock
That is bad news V10Man, I was hoping that the reman engine would not exhibit the same problem again. Now I really don't know what to do. Did your Dealer give you a hard time on your engine replacement? Any tips that you can give me.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: waterford nj
Cold Start Knock
I had a V-10 replaced for the coldstart knock and accompanying blue cloud on start-up.
The replacement was a reman which was a kick in the b---s since the truck only had 10000 miles on it.
The replacement took 6 months too because at the time (early 2000), Ford was replacing V10's like there was no tomorrow.
I still had the occasional blue cloud on startup with the reman.
I sold the truck shortly thereafter and went to the 7.3 PSD.
Now I can burn oil on purpose!
The replacement was a reman which was a kick in the b---s since the truck only had 10000 miles on it.
The replacement took 6 months too because at the time (early 2000), Ford was replacing V10's like there was no tomorrow.
I still had the occasional blue cloud on startup with the reman.
I sold the truck shortly thereafter and went to the 7.3 PSD.
Now I can burn oil on purpose!
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Cold Start Knock
My 02 Toyota Sequoia has knock cold accelerating,piston slap.I was looking at trading it in on a v10 EXC.Sound like I should avoid the this engine also. LILGUY
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,954
Likes: 47
From: Mesa
Cold Start Knock
My engine replacement was many moons ago. The knock started at about 15k but I didn't report it until 28k or so. My dealer gave me no problems but they couldn't get an engine. I was on a waiting list for quite a while. Ford figured out that pre April 99 engines had the knock so they replaced many of them. Anything after that may be difficult to get replaced. I'd start at the dealer and go from there.
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Arizona
Cold Start Knock
I've got about 8,500 on my truck and it has the early morning knock.
Is this a real problem? Does it cause actual engine damage or is it simply annoying?
Thanks-
When on two wheels-
FXSTC
Mesa- AZ
2003 F-350 V10
Is this a real problem? Does it cause actual engine damage or is it simply annoying?
Thanks-
When on two wheels-
FXSTC
Mesa- AZ
2003 F-350 V10
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: Denver USA
Cold Start Knock
Well, my V10 is a real world example of the cold start knock having absolutely nothing to do with engine reliability.
120,000 miles, no smoke, doesn't burn oil, zero motor issues.
It will knock from 30 sec. to a minute or so depending on how cold it was the night before. If I plug it in about 3 hours before driving it, there is not a knock or it lasts a few seconds only.
If Ford is willing to replace motors for this problem under warranty, go for it. I really wouldn't worry about it too much otherwise unless it knocks all the time, then you have other issues.
120,000 miles, no smoke, doesn't burn oil, zero motor issues.
It will knock from 30 sec. to a minute or so depending on how cold it was the night before. If I plug it in about 3 hours before driving it, there is not a knock or it lasts a few seconds only.
If Ford is willing to replace motors for this problem under warranty, go for it. I really wouldn't worry about it too much otherwise unless it knocks all the time, then you have other issues.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 759
Likes: 95
Cold Start Knock
I noticed if the truck is started with the climate control set to any selection that engages the A/C pump, I can get an undesirable noise at cold. It doesn't do it when set to the other selections. At first, I thought I was experiencing Cold Start Knock, but realized it was the A/C pump.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Cold Start Knock
I went out to double check if the AC was on or not, it was off and still knocks, but thanks for the suggestion anyways. I think this is with out a doubt piston slap, how much internal damage is occuring is another question. Some here have over 100K miles on their V-10 without any problems however I have an appointment with the Dealer for them to evaluate the noise and at the very least document it in writing.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, Maryland
Cold Start Knock
I know that there was alot of discussion on the matter and I check it out thoroughly when mine started to get a little noisy. I found two things.
1. I replaced the serpentine belt
2. I found a bunch of loose heat shields and tacked them down.
These two things I have done have turned a LOUD cold start up in to one that I rarely notice any noise with.
1. I replaced the serpentine belt
2. I found a bunch of loose heat shields and tacked them down.
These two things I have done have turned a LOUD cold start up in to one that I rarely notice any noise with.
New User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Cold Start Knock
Back in the "old days" when they recommended 10W40, you never heard cold-start rattle unless the oil was really worn-out, it sat a long time, or it was a "three dog night" (really cold). I think the light oil they recommend now is the problem. It gets up there faster, but it also runs down faster. I use 5W30, but I keep it fresh. At the first sign of the morning rattles I change it (2500-3500 mi). My .02 skydan