I have a 02 supercrew purshase about three months ago@24000mile. Took a long trip from Texas to North Carolina, upon returning engine 5.4 makes a tapping noise when engine is first started each day. Took is to local Ford dealer and after two days of getting the run around they said that the noise is normal. They showed me some bullitin saying that it is caused by tight tolerances. I disagree, I have been a Cummins technician for many years, and know a smoke screen when one is blown my way. Has anyone else experienced this issue. It sounds simular to old piston slap issue. I thought this was fixed. As you put a load on the engine the noise goes away. No load, the noise is very noticable. It takes two-five minutes to go away. With the cooler nights it seems louder and longer. Any simluar situations or advise. I recently just signed back to F150 online, used to be a member couple years ago, but I'm back.

Thanks,

 

you might have an oil restriction problem, or the filter may drain when the thing is not running, causing a dry start. Don't know how the filter is positioned on those motors, but most filters today have anti-drain back valves. The typical ford solution is trying a lower vis oil, like 5-20 or 30, if you're not already using it. The fact that the thing quiets after a few minuites leans me towards an oil circulation/ dry start problem. I think a tolerance problem would be noisy longer, if not constant. If it is a circulation problem and lower vis oil dosn't work, try a stableizer like Morey's, which is designed to "stick" to metal parts, eliminating dry starts. Whatever you use, (if you do) make sure it's all petrolium. Don't use additives. Good luck.

 

my truck has been doing the same thing for 5 years.

the engine (Unlike a cummins) is made out of many different metals which heat up at different rates, plus it could be piston slap, exhaust leak, or a plug about to launch.

I know that in some cases if you use a fram oil filter the noise is really bad because the anti-drainback valves in the frams don't work. And sometimes if you use 10w-30 oil it will happen

welcome back and it's prolly nothing!

 

Make sure you are using the right oil filter... Mine does it too and it drive me nuts, it is the anti-drain back filter on the Motorcraft filter that prevents the knock. If you take it somewhere and they use a different filter (Pennzoil in my case) you will get the knocking back... I don't know how and why, but Jimsa2806 has as good an explanation as I have heard. Try a Motorcraft filter on the next oil change.

 

Has anyone had any luck sovling this issue? My 2002 Lariat with a 5.4 does the exact same thing on cold startup. I thought it was due to the cheapo oil filter that was installed before I bought the truck but 7 qts of 5W-20 Motorcraft Semi-Synthetic oil and 820S filter did noting to change the sound. Motor only has 57k miles on it.

Interesting side is that my roommate's 2001 Silverado makes a similar noise on cold startup. Only 46k on that truck.

 

I know on the Chevy it is piston slap. They have had trouble with the LSx engine since '97 when it was introduced.

My '01 5.4L does the same thing and I also think that it is slap. I don't think you can do much about.

Lewis

 

I have the same issue with my truck too, however, my noise only lasts for 10 seconds or so. The engine has always had motorcraft oil and filters and has 48k. Is this the infamous piston slap or could it be another issue?

-Craig

 

Is it possible that maybe this noise is just due to the fact that its a quirk of the engine? Even though all the trucks are 'the same' each one has slightly different tolerances, some tighter, som looser. I would check your pressure on a cold start, and make sure it is getting up to pressure within 1-2 seconds of running, if so, then your pump is ok, and the filter is ok, and i would bet against a restriction and think its just a gremlin of your particular engine. I know on mine it will do it if i use too heavy an oil in the winter time.

 

Piston Slap

 

So what's the remedy?

-Craig

 

There really is none except to trade the truck in.

There are tons of vehicles with piston slap that have gone well over 100,000 miles

 

I have the same problem. I have a 2000 with the 5.4. The engine knocks for 2-5 seconds upon cold start up and then quiets down. I've always used motorcraft filters and 5w-30. I'm thinking of trying a different filter next oil change, perhaps a
K&N to see if their anti-drainback valve works better than Ford's.