I have searched and searhced for an answer, and if I missed it I am sorry. I have a 2001 supercrew with the 5.4. In the past week I have noticed that when I start the truck it has a slight tapping coming from the engine. My first thought was an exhaust leak. I checked it out myself and couldnt find anything, bbut just to be sure I took it to a muffler shop, and they couldnt find anything either.

My next thought is a lifter. Has anyone else had this problem, and how did you fix it? Any help is appreciated

 

Dig through this link: https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...lash+adjusters

 

mine does it too. it just got a tune-up and checkup i guess you could call it, and our mechanic didnt say anything about it. i get a tick/tapping noise once i startup.

 

Maybe your first thought was right. I had something similar. Sounded like metal slapping together. Mine you could hear on first start up, when you gave it gas just for a split second, until it was warmed up then it went away. I had someone listen while it was making that sound and found it was a leaky exhaust manifold gasket. Took to an exhaust shop and i watched that guy with a stethoscope search and search for 20 mins. he couldnt find a leak, no black marks around anything, no hissing, air coming out, nothing. (because it was warm) I knew it was that so i told him how it only does it when its cold so to let it sit, then start it up. He did and found the leak right where i thought. What happens is when the truck warms up the manifold would seal better and the leak would go away. Have somebody listen when you start it, particularly on the passenger side (common) around the inner wheel well. That could be it. its very common. Broken studs.

 

It's been quite some time, but on our trucks there is a history of piston slap. I don't fully understand what that is exactly, but it is something that occurs until oil can hit it. That's why we only get it on start up. By the time mine started doing it, and by the time I found any discussion about it on here, I was already out of warranty. My truck runs great so I don't sweat it too bad. Not like I'm gonna do anything about it anyways...gonna run her until she quits. But yes, do a search for piston slap and see what you get. Good luck.

 

yup, this morning i started it up put my head down towards the passenger front wheel well and it was comin from right in there. few seconds its gone

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the help!! As always, most helpful site there is out there!!!!

 

The dreaded piston slap is caused by a cylinder bore that's a tad big, a piston diameter that's a tad small, and piston skirts that are a tad short. In a cold engine as the piston moves up and down the piston will rock back and forth slapping the cylinder bore causing the knock. Once the engine block and pistons heat up and expand the noise goes away. Mine's been doing it for 148,000 miles. If mine hasn't blown by now I guess it won't.
A lot of members had worries and Ford replaced engines while under warranty.

There a several long threads going back to around 1999 on this subject.

 

ditto here, My 97 5.4 expy did it for 132k (traded in), 00 SD v10 did it for ~40k (traded in), and my current 98 exp 5.4 w 137k is doing it. I never get on it until its warm and I've never had a problem other than the constant Ford jokes from all my GM friends. My 04 GT only has 80k on it so I'm expecting it to start real soon, just the nature of these engines.

 

i have 97 ford expedition 5.4 it been a great truck 201789 miles on her running strong no major problem i don't and never have babied it. anyway i had a alternator start to have throw a bearing it started like that ,got worse almost constant or until it got fully warmed up it. after the alternator went out, cause i like thought valve lash and all the dohc stuff associated with was the problem, but i replaced it and no more noise.


sorry it is lenghty i a new member hope it helps!

great site i had to join

 

well my 97 has an exhaust leak and i think the cam journals wear. i had a 02 5.4 with less than 150k on it i think have 4 or 5 ruined cam journals?

 

Another possibilty that has been discussed here before is oil filter type and anti drainback valve. Fram is one of the filters that seem to have this problem.. Check it out it is a possibility

If it doesn't have a motorcraft or equevelnet filter try changing it first.