Engine ticking on start up - different oil?

[ldutton6]

Hey guys!

I have a 99 expy 4x4 5.4Liter with 136k that is ticking when its cold on start up... Now this is normal but now it lasts longer then it did it seems last year... I always start my truck when its real cold and let it run 5-10 minutes but sometimes at lunch time I just start it wait 20 seconds and take off... You can hear the cams ticking pretty good now but then it goes away and its fine.

I run 5w-30 conventional. Is anyone running a thicker oil with success or using lucas oil stabilizer?

 

[1955moose]

Actually you want to run a thinner oil for flow. Their was a tsb from the dealer that recommended 5/w20 instead of 5/w30. Their was another thread from a forum member that thought a cam chain tensioner could be bleeding out when cold, allowing loss of tension when cold. You might want to take a auto stethoscope and listen when your SUV is cold. Also if you have access to a oil pressure guage, see what pressure is like when cold. You will have to remove oil pressure switch and install auto guage. Keep us posted.


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[ldutton6]

Actually you want to run a thinner oil for flow. Their was a tsb from the dealer that recommended 5/w20 instead of 5/w30. Their was another thread from a forum member that thought a cam chain tensioner could be bleeding out when cold, allowing loss of tension when cold. You might want to take a auto stethoscope and listen when your SUV is cold. Also if you have access to a oil pressure guage, see what pressure is like when cold. You will have to remove oil pressure switch and install auto guage. Keep us posted.


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Well, when I start it and its idling its fine. Nothing unusual. Its just when I go to take off for the first half mile or so its like tick tick tick when you gas it.

 

[1955moose]

A ticking sound is more likely an Exaust leak or an upper end noise, like a lifter. An old trick we used to do on older v8 engines with a sticky lifter was to put about a half quart of transmission fluid into oil, leave in till oil change. A lot of times it would free up a sticky lifter. Don't know if it would work in your situation.


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[docraymund]

Use a thinner oil synthetic perhaps and use a high capacity high flow rate oil filter. Yes you need to listen to the engine with an auto steth it might be a connecting rod noise or piston pin noise.

 

[1955moose]

Funny doc mentioned about oil filter. Had one of my Harley Davidson big twins delivered to my shop with a fairly loud lifter tick. Just for the hell of it I noticed it had an aftermarket oil filter on it. I grabbed a Harley filter from the shelf, and what do you know all noise dissapeared, after installing it. Apparently oil wasn't flowing or draining back. Might be worth a shot, put on a Ford or high quality filter on, stranger things can happen.


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[ldutton6]

Thanks guys!

So, When I start the truck its fine not noise. Its ONLY during acceleration like a Subaru 2.5L engine does if your familiar. They tick they CRAZY for a bit then get quite. I have had the exhaust leak before so I know its not that 100% I know that noise from a mile away when a truck goes by. This noise is like the cams hitting the valves when there cold basically.

Now, unless I'm new to different ford issues then past cars I've owned. Piston slap sounds extensive and a little dramatic to me. What exactly is piston slap? And, wouldn't the engine end up blowing up after awhile if piston are the issue?

Here is what I did yesterday to give it a whorl... I am running 5-30. I know it says 5-20 which I did before but that's when it started to TICK. So, I bought a quart of Lucas oil stabilizer and figured I'd try and coat the engine for cold start ups. I live in NH where its generally above 5-10 degrees for the better part of the winter. I started it today and it sounded good but I also had to shovel and let it run for 10 minutes. So, at lunch I will know if it does anything when I start wait 20 seconds and go.

 

[ldutton6]

Here is an update...

The ticking is still there even with the Lucas stabilizer fluid... So, I am not sure what it is... Like yesterday I let it warm for about 10 minutes this morning and nothing was there whatsoever when I took off... Its only when its cold.

 

[ldutton6]

To give another update using the lucas oil stab has actually made it calm the ticking during short starts ups like on lunch or leaving work! My oil pressure increased as well,

 

[1955moose]

Of all the snake oil for sale, Lucas is one of the better ones. I had a problem with the aod trans in my 89 Lincoln mark 7. I put in Lucas transmission additive, it actually helped. Glad to hear it worked for you.


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[ldutton6]

So, as I stated the oil pressure DEFNIITLY increased... The bottle states that's a good things.. Does that causes any draw backs? My battery gauge also moved up slightly as well as my temp gauge. Truck is rippin tho!!

 

[1955moose]

I wouldn't worry about the slight rises, higher oil pressure is good. Check your coolant to make sure you have enough and all is flowing. A higher charging rate is ok as long as it stays below 15.2, put a volt meter on battery put all accesories on, see what reading is. You got lucky on this one for now. It may only be temporary. You basicly put a bandaid on a cut, that will need stitches down the road!


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[ldutton6]

Well, ive owned it since 100k and its got 136k now... I do maintenance to the T and it runs great and shifts perfect. My hope is its just once of things where I just will let it warm more. Because after its slightly warm its perfect.

 

[1955moose]

A lot easier and cheaper than tearing into the motor. That wouldn't be fun or cheap. Enjoy the quiet, it's almost like a noisy neighbor moved out above you.


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