Engine tapping on cold mornings
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Joined: Sep 2007
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Engine tapping on cold mornings
I have a 1999 expedition with 140 thousand miles and on cold morning I get engine tapping noises for about 30 seconds to a minute. I am being told that it is the listers going bad. Is that possible. If it is true then what is the fix? Do I need a new engine/overhaul?
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Ft. Worth, TX
Originally Posted by chrisf250-460
my 5.4 has had a cold weather knock ever since it had 50000 on it,it now has 162000 on it and has run fine the entire time. it is possible for the lifters to failand they can be replaced.
New User
Joined: Nov 2007
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I have 128,000 on my 99. Same thing for the last 5 or 6 years. The colder it is, the louder it is, only until the engine warms up.
I solved it with an Auto Start
It is usualy warm by the time I get in now, and no more knock!
I solved it with an Auto Start
It is usualy warm by the time I get in now, and no more knock!
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Joined: Jan 2005
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My first thought is to get it checked at the dealer, and consider getting it in writing what the failure could be. But that said, I had a '99 f150 that had a similar sounding "ticking" that I also considered as a lifter failing. But with an overhead cam motor, I would not think that it would be unless they are using hydraulic followers which might cause a similar noise. That truck ran just fine for many years and 135,000 miles before it was sold; and the new owners are still driving it around.
Steve
Steve
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Only the govt. knows
It also depends on the grade of oil you use. I'm currently using 10w30 and considering changing to 5w20 as per Ford recommendation. I also get that cold start tapping. Kind of annoying if you ask me.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: NYC
I have it too,I just let the truck warm up before i drive it. I heard running some Seafoam through the vaccum hose can help this problem somewhat, that and switching to FoMoCo spec oil(I'm running M1 5w30). i'll try it soon and see if it helps, the people on the VW forums have great success with the Seafoam cleaning up their engines, so i figured maybe i'll give it a try also.
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More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Alexandria, Ohio
190k+ on a '98 4.6 and it ticks in the morning, and gets worse as the temperature drops. I run it very hard and it runs great. I think it is the timing chain tensioners making the noise until it gets warm.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Originally Posted by Greenscobie86
I have it too,I just let the truck warm up before i drive it. I heard running some Seafoam through the vaccum hose can help this problem somewhat, that and switching to FoMoCo spec oil(I'm running M1 5w30). i'll try it soon and see if it helps, the people on the VW forums have great success with the Seafoam cleaning up their engines, so i figured maybe i'll give it a try also.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,951
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From: Foothills, CA
Originally Posted by crackerteg
It also depends on the grade of oil you use. I'm currently using 10w30 and considering changing to 5w20 as per Ford recommendation. I also get that cold start tapping. Kind of annoying if you ask me.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 164
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From: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
I have the same minor ticking sound at start up...assume it's a hydro-lifter that has fallen. Goes away after driving around a few miles. Always use 5W-30 mineral oil in FL changed every 3k or 6 mo. (not my daily driver!)
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
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My 03 5.4 has always done it on cold mornings. only thing I could think that may help is installing a block heater. But as someone else stated, I believe it is just emissions crap that causes the tick. I use the recommended 5w20 and a quart of lucas in my truck. The lucas seems to have made the ticking quieter honestly.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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Originally Posted by 2kcrewcab
My 03 5.4 has always done it on cold mornings. only thing I could think that may help is installing a block heater.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
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From: Brentwood,CA
The ticking could be piston slap but the more common cause is the oil filter. That is why ford started making the FL820S filter. Its the only filter that prevents the oil galleries from going dry and prevents dry starts and the ticking sound.