Now that it's getting colder on a cold start up I get a wierd sound from the motor until it warms up then it's back to normal. Because I only have a half-mile drive to work sometimes it doesn't go away at all. It's kind of a clunking sound: to me it sounds like a diesel motor. I have power pulleys, electric fans, microtuner and flowmaster exhaust if anyone is wondering. It just really bothers me that it does that then goes away like nothing is wrong. The idle and everything seems to be just fine but the noise really bothers me.
Any help with this would be appreciated I just don't want any major problems that could be helped.

Thanx Jeff
1997 F-150
Ex. cab
4X4
automatic
4.6L
with mods

 

What kind of oil you using? Oil Filter? How cold is cold.
Also you really need to warm up your oil every so often. Check your oil fill cap and see if there are any whitish deposits on it.
Jes

 

The oil was just changed(just bought truck a little over a month ago) by the dealership. It didn't have the sound until I did the pullies and the electric fans. Could it be that I have the dreaded belt screech. It seems to do it every morning and cold is around freezing. Could it be the moisture on the belt. What kills me is that it goes away all of a sudden and can come back at anytime. The one day last week that was in the 60's it didn't do it at all. Now that its about freezing everyday it does it everyday. But last nite when I came back from the bar it wasn't making any sound what so ever when I parked it in the garage. But it was making the noise when I started it before I left the bar. And it was cold bout 32 degrees maybe less. It's driving me nuts cause it sounds absolutely horrible.
Any suggestions to figure this darn thing out???
I use and swear by valvoline I don't know what the dealership put in though(Ford dealer). No deposits looks perfectly normal the usual pits and corroding(close enough LOL).
Thanx
Jeff

1997 F-150
4X4
ex-cab
with goodies

 

6Jeff6

I have a partial answer for you concerning not hearing the noise when you left the bar. That could be caused by a substance called BEER. When I drink beer not only do I not hear some noises, but ugly women suddenly get attractive.

 

Your noise, as described, sounds exactly like the piston slap more commonl to the 5.4's.

 

Hey Tex I only had 1,2,3 oh I forgot how many beers LOL.

I hope and pray it's not the piston slap. Maybe I should get some aftermarket gauges so I can see if anything is going on(would be kinda hard to explain that one to the wifee). I thought Ford never had a problem with the piston slap in the 4.6L. The piston slap comes and goes??????? I thought once it was there it was there!????? Now I'm getting worried maybe I should replace the belt and see what happens.

Thanx the info is much appreciated
Jeff

 

I've done some studying on the piston slap and I doubt that's what it is cause it will and can make the noise even after the engine warms up. So hopefully that rules it out; you think??????????????????????

Thanx

Jeff

 

ive noticed that on my 98 4.6. I dont think its a big deal, just when its cold outside and i pop that hood, i can hear a slight clack-clack like a diesel does till it warms. Not a big deal to me.

 

Thanx Green 98
That's refreshing to hear so now I can take a chill pill.

Thanx

Jeff