i bought a few of the FL820-S, and i'll use them again, until i've used my last one. my truck rattles when it's sitting cold with 5w-20 in it as well though... dealer still can't diagnose the problem and i've given up trying to figure it out. apparently it's 'normal' but once i end up using the ones i've got i'll probably switch to the k&n just to see if that will stop the rattle w/ cold starts.

 

I use the Motorcraft 820 and royal purple 5w-20, every 7,000 miles. I talked to a tech at the dealership who is a buddy of mine and he said you could get by with changing the filter at 7,000 miles and topping off the oil when you use a good synthetic then do a complete change every 15k. I like my way better. As far as getting that pesky filter off, I bought one of these http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
You can pick on like it up at almost any parts store, and save a few bucks compared to the Snap-on truck.

 

For the price it doesn't buy you anything. I put Honda 10w-40 in my bike and it normally doesn't drop below 5000 rpms when I'm riding unless it's at idle. Every 4-5k miles I drain the oil and it's still golden brown.

I always stick with what the manufacture recommends and have never had oil problems. Now that doesn't mean Motorcraft makes the best, but they make what is known to work best with Ford engines.

 

What i like about it is should my truck throw a rod while under warranty, the dealer can not say "well, you were not using the reccomended oil or filter". Just an issue I can avoid should it ever come up.

 

Exactly! For the way that we drive our trucks, Motorcraft products are more than enough to give us 10+ years of life. I just don't understand why people spend more money for "better" products if we never really exceed the limits of the recommended products.

 

You southern guys are funny. I'm talking about cold WEATHER starts. Like as in 20 degrees F cold.
Think I'll try the K&N and see if that takes care of it.
Thanks for the responses

 

It was 19 degrees this morning in southwest Georgia.

If you've got clatter on cold start up, and you're using the proper oil and filter, you may have chain tensioner and/or lifter problems.

 

Thats damn cold for GA. Must be that global warming thing.
I can only assume that the correct weight oil has been used as the "quick oil" place has done the previous changes. I should say that the noise is not real loud, just a light "tapping"

 

1 Above zero in chicago last week not counting the wind chill Iam using 820s filter and MC5w-20 Ihave no chatters or start up problems

 

motorcraft 820L filter and motorcraft synthetic blend 5w-20 oil. $3.50 for the filter and $1.98 per quart for the oil at local w-mart. got it down to 15 minutes for the complete oil/filter change and local pep boys gets the used stuff on the route to work. do it every 3-4k since truck was new. 18k on it now, running xcal2 and get 5400rpm shifts. 5.4L motor is smooth and quiet, cold or hot. ( so far ! )

had a 92 crown vic - first year of the 4.6L tritons, used same setup but only 5w-30 weight. Car never saw the dealer service bay and needed only routine maintenance. had 220k on it when gave to a friend after buying truck. motorcraft has treated me well....

imo - can't see spending more when oil gets changed every 3-5k anyway..