Engine "lifter" noise after startup
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 24
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From: Clearwater, FL
Engine "lifter" noise after startup
I have a 1998 F250 LD Lariat SC SB 2WD with a 5.4L Engine, Automatic transmission, towing package and ~135000 miles. For some time now the engine exhibits a noise that sounds just like a "lifter" tap after start-up, then after a couple of minutes almost disappears like a weak "lifter" has pumped up. Asked the local Ford dealer mechanic and all he would tell me to do was switch to 10w-30 motor. Tried that and it seem to help a little but not much.
Anyone else had this problem and had it diagnosed correctly as to the cause?
Anyone else had this problem and had it diagnosed correctly as to the cause?
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 24
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From: Clearwater, FL
I presume that it is a Motorcraft since I only get the oil changed at the FORD dealership. The only time I have ever purchased an oil filter for it, it was a motorcraft as well.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
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From: SE Wyoming
It is most likely piston slap, Ford says it is "normal" and the only thing that cures it is the engine warming up. Engine oil viscosity won't do anything for it. I think 5W30 is a happy medium for these engines, although Ford now recommends 5W20. If it never gets very cold where you are 10W30 might be alright to use. I used it for a few years then switched to 5W30. I've had the slap for about 160K miles now (220K total) and don't have any issues. I just take it easy on the engine until it warms up.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2005
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Cold engine tapping
My 98 4.6 starting making a similar noise not long after I had had the oil & filter changed at a Jiffy Lube. The filter was a Motorcraft but I let them talk me into using their "bargin" oil which was a 10w30 Castrol dino. I had used Valvoline 10w30 dino for every oil change up to that point. Seems like it was perhaps 300 to 400 miles later that I noticed the cold tapping that would go away after a minute or so. With approx 115K miles I figured I could live with it but after about 2000 more miles I decided I couldn't.
To make a long story short, after 2000 miles on tha oil & filter I changed the oil over to 10w30 Mobil 1 and another Motorcraft filter and I've not had the problem any more.
I'm now awaiting 125K mark for it's next schedled oil change and so far so good.
For the last 10k miles my truck gets very little use as it sits all week and gets used on weekends so it's possible the filter was leaking down and since I changed both oil brands and the filter I can't say if it was the oil or a bad filter, in any case I'm staying with Mobil 1 from now on.
To make a long story short, after 2000 miles on tha oil & filter I changed the oil over to 10w30 Mobil 1 and another Motorcraft filter and I've not had the problem any more.
I'm now awaiting 125K mark for it's next schedled oil change and so far so good.
For the last 10k miles my truck gets very little use as it sits all week and gets used on weekends so it's possible the filter was leaking down and since I changed both oil brands and the filter I can't say if it was the oil or a bad filter, in any case I'm staying with Mobil 1 from now on.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: north shore, minnesota
My old 97 4.6 did the ticking for a minute or 2 during cold start up. I always assumed it was the tensioners on the timing chains, they are pumped up by oil pressure. I guess piston slap makes sense though. That truck has been ticking for 25,000 miles now without anymore problems.
New User
Joined: Jul 2006
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Had an identical issue w/4.6 engine which has seen light duty.
This is certainly worth a try.........I resisted for a full year +.
A ford mechanic (brother-in-lay.....what would he know!) suggested following the manufacturers rec. for motor oil viscosity.
Try a premium 5w-30 engine lube oil.
I never expected this to make a difference.
You did indicate an improvement with the 10w-30 change??
Hope it is as simple as mine.
Good luck!!!!
This is certainly worth a try.........I resisted for a full year +.
A ford mechanic (brother-in-lay.....what would he know!) suggested following the manufacturers rec. for motor oil viscosity.
Try a premium 5w-30 engine lube oil.
I never expected this to make a difference.
You did indicate an improvement with the 10w-30 change??
Hope it is as simple as mine.
Good luck!!!!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
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Do you have any reason to believe your "noise" is not the hydraulic valve lash adjusters?
10 years & ~135000 miles could easily result in them becoming a little worn.
Sometimes fuel injector noise will sound like valve issues.
Sometimes fuel injector noise will sound like valve issues.
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 24
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From: Clearwater, FL
tk01...thanks for the response, but the truck has had 5w-30 oil in it on every oil change since new. It wasn't until I asked the mechanic about the noise that he suggested that I go to a 10w-30 oil instead.
Club Wagon...No I have no reason not to believe it could be the hydraulic valve lash adjusters. I am not too familiar with the new engines. I used to work on and rebuild my own engines back when they were simpler (1973 and older) for V8's as well as my race car. Anyway, I was just checking to see if anyone else has experienced this exact issue to get a better idea what I am looking at in repair, if necessary.
Right now I am trying to locate the factory service manual(s) on CD/DVD to get a better idea what I am dealing with.
Club Wagon...No I have no reason not to believe it could be the hydraulic valve lash adjusters. I am not too familiar with the new engines. I used to work on and rebuild my own engines back when they were simpler (1973 and older) for V8's as well as my race car. Anyway, I was just checking to see if anyone else has experienced this exact issue to get a better idea what I am looking at in repair, if necessary.
Right now I am trying to locate the factory service manual(s) on CD/DVD to get a better idea what I am dealing with.
New User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 11
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From: South West, PA
Do you think the ticking could be the exaust manifold leaking? That is what is was on my 99' F150 5.4 4x4 scab. It would make a ticking sound when the engine was cold. After the engine warmed up and the manifold expanded the noise went away. I just had this fixed and it cost $504.00.
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