My 1999 V8 Triton replacement (orig. engine with build date of 10-27-1999 was replaced because of piston slap) engine is making a clicking noise on a cold start - ceases after about 1 minute. The lifters in this last engine have been replaced.I am using Ford updated oil filter and their specified oil weight. My dealership has checked this out, talked with Ford Mtr who suggested removing valve cover and check rocker arms as the noise source, dealership done that but both ruled out rocker arms - ending with Ford saying they did not know. DOES ANYONE have any hints, clues or advise?

[This message has been edited by Murphy (edited 09-24-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Murphy (edited 09-26-2000).]

 

Where does the noise sound like it is comming from? Internal? I also have a 1999 F-150 and at 5k i had a ticking/popping sound on cold mornings. At first i thought is was a lifter, but after a couple of rounds with ford, it turned out to be a bad serpen.belt. Now with 16k, all clear... Im sure your dealer has already checked for this??? But it wouldn't hurt to ask.
What was the build date on your original V8? Was it a 4.6 or 5.4?

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1999 F-150 XLT SuperCab 2WD, Gold/Tan, 5.4L
MFG date 5/99
Mobile1/802s

 

Thanks for your quick reply.When the motor is furst started in the morning, I start the engine and my wife and I go out raise the hood and listen closely. It sounds like tappits or lifters. The first motor was 5.4 and we love our truck and the way it performs on the road. We wish we could soon find an answer. I don't know the build date on the original. Question- What is a serpen. belt.

Thanks and have a good week!

 

It is actually a "serpentine belt". It is the belt that drives the water pump, alternator, etc. on trucks and cars. Also, there is an idle tensioner (not sure if that is the official name for it) for the serpentine belt that has been known to cause problems. I had one replaced on a 98 F150 as it caused "some" of the problem I had with squealing power steering noise.

 

I too have a similar noise from my 6/99 5.4L for a few minutes on cold morning starts. I swore it was piston slap but sometimes the noise doesn’t go away after the truck is put into gear and driven. Also, the sound is much quieter than my slapping 98 5.4L. I thought the reduction in noise between my 98 and 99 might be due to the fact that I now use Mobil 1 (5W-30). My idler pulley, alternator and fan belt have been replaced due to a bad bearing in the alternator. The technician said he changed the belt and pulley because they were making noise after the new alternator was installed. Trucks still makes the tapping noise on cold mornings.

 

I have been noticing a noise right away in with cold weather starts also. The first time I noticed it I thought a wheel bearing was going bad because it sounded rotational and quieted down so much at idle that I didn't realise it was still there. Heard it right away the other morning and it seemed to be coming from something spun by the belt. I'll be taking it to the dealer as soon as I can get by without it for a few days.

 

You can find the build date of your engine on the drivers side valve cover. If it is a 5.4, it was built in Canada, as were all 5.4's. That label will also tell where it was built too. The light ticking noise you here could be PS, but could also be any number of things. Personally, I don't worry about PS from past experience with it in Ford and GM vehicles. We even build-in PS in our race engines. Sure as hell wouldn't replace an otherwise good motor because of it.

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Tom J.

 

Hey guys this has beed discussed before. Make sure you are using an oil filter with an anti drainback valve such as the motorcraft. Some filters like Fram were said to be causing the lifters to click because they were not holding the oil and allowing it to drain from the filter completely. It takes longer for the oil to reach the valves on a cold start when this happens thus causing the clicking. Its worth a try.

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Y2K XLT F150 5.4, 3.55 LS, 4x2, tow package, Chestnut color, Lebra low profile soft top and black westin nerf bars. Runs better everyday.