Startup Rattle (a thought)
 

DISCLAIMER: ASSUMING THE START UP RATTLE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CAM PHASER, INCORRECT OIL, OR OIL FILTER

have ran motorcraft 5W20 and motorcraft filter since mile 1. Anyway:

has anyone thought about or have used products such as Zmax, lucas oil stabalizer, engine honey, etc... to keep more oil attached to parts while it sits? I know Zmax is supposed to soak into the metal to prevent dry starts. But might also be snake oil since I've never used it.

Was just thinking bout and wanted some oppinions. :coffee:

IMHO ,no gimmicks. The tolerances on the modular motors are too close for that stuff. The only noise I hear is the injectors. I also have run motorcraft since mile 1.

Jolly,
I started a thread a while back and if i recall we have the same problem. After the truck sets over night there is a startup rattle the next morning. The longer it sits the longer the rattle is. I've yet to take mine to the dealer but do plan on inquiring about it. My last post nobody ever really came out and said what was the clear cut problem, and i think you said you took it and it was "normal" by the dealership.

Anyhoo if you try something like that let me know if it works

Valve Lashers, Rocker Arms, and Adjusters?

Yeah, I took mine in twice while it was under waranty and was told both times that it was normal. But sure sounds like a dry start and can't be good.

been watching threads like this for a while and was just thinking I hadn't seen anything about products like zmax that are supposed to prevent or at least help dry startup. Thought someone might have tried it.

Is the rattle you guys are talking about last for a few seconds then goes away? I have that type sound rattle/tick sound on cold start ups. I have a 5.4L:confused:

yep, mine does it when it sits for more than 12 hours. i have a hard time locating it but it seems to come from the middle bottom?

I've done the Lucas Oil Stabilizer and it definitely helped it out, the startup was a lot smoother, very sexy. I don't know why I didn't put it in the last oil change, it is annoying!

If a lifter bleeds down it will rattle. that doesn't mean a problem or dry start up. it is just the lifter pumping back up. no harm no foul.

Yeah I was wondering what that was! I never thought much of it cause it only lasts a couple seconds and doesnt effect the truck that I can see or feel. Guess I wont worry till someone finds something that works to silence it:beers:

if the lifter bleeds down you temporarily lose compression. Aren't they operated on springs and the cam is what compresses the spring, or am I confused. If it was the way I'm thinking it is, the spring should not allow it to "bleed" down.

I would never put money on this knowledge so enlighten me if I'm off a little.

I have the same start-up rattle, and I've heard/read MANY times that it's the chain tensioner. The chain tensioner maintains tension by oil pressure. Once the vehicle has sat for several hours, the pressure decreases. It takes a second or so for it to rebuild pressure and tighten the chain.

Same annoying rattle here!!!!!!
 

My 04 F150 4.6 had a rattle at start up with 30,000. Ford replaced the heads and it went away...............for 10,000 miles or so. Now at 44,000+ its back and its worse. It even rattles a bit right after I start it and take off down the road, as I lift off of the gas approaching a stop sign or red light it rattles some. Usually a mile or so down the road it quits. Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks

Update
 

Changed to Mobil 1 Syn oil and upted to 5w30 and the tick went away. Ive put 3000 miles in 3-4 months and it stills sounds good!
Thanks For all the info
:banana:

My take - if you are using an oil filter with a known good anti-drainback valve and are still getting rattles, try a 100% synthetic oil no heavier than 5W30, 5W20 preferred. It has a higher film strength and sticks around on parts longer.

If you still getting a rattle with a motorcraft filter and motorcraft 5w20, then next oil change throw in a quart of 20w50 and 6 quarts of 5w20 (if you have a 5.4 that takes 7 quarts). That lucus is like gear oil it will boost up your oil weight and most of the ticking/ rattles will go away. Sometimes I wonder if it just isn't rebottled gear oil.

Tried the Lucas Oil Stabalizer last oil change. No better. This oil change I went to a more expensive K&N filter for the chance of a better anti-drainback valve. no better. Next change will be with full synthetic. Cross your fingers. Blasted thing sounds like a diesel when you first start it up for about 1 second. Only has to sit for about an hour for it to happen.

The cold start rattle can be for several reasons and none of them hurt anything (except the oil filter). It can be a slight piston slap, leakdown of the timing chain tensioner, lifter or injector bleeddown, off brand oil filter, etc. I've sold vehicles because I worried about the rattle and they are still running strong hundred of thousands of miles later.

Changing to expensive oil, thicker oil or snake oil enhancements do no good. Thicker oil may actually shorten the life of the engine. Engine bearing wear happens after the engine is started but before the oil light goes off. Thicker oil takes longer to get to the bearings and as a result, the bearing is dry longer and gets more wear.

STP in the Blue bottle...works great, plus adds ZDDP, one of the most important high load additives.