Half a second chatter at startup

[Bolt snapper]

The title pretty much summarizes my concern. My '04 has a one second or less chatter at startup like a lifter sound. Great oil pressure. Immediately goes away. No sound detectable at idle. Is this normal or is it a progression towards something more serious?

 

[TomB985]

Just curious how many miles? Any chance you can post a video?

Almost sounds like a tensor issue with your timing chain. When things wear the chain can slap around until pressure builds and pumps up the tensioners. Just a wild guess though, a video would help us figure this out with some more accuracy.

 

[Cooper]

Been ignoring my start up rattle for 3 years... not to say its right.

 

[Kenerator]

Mine did the same thing. I switched to 5-30 Shell Rotella at my last oil change and the clatter at start up is now almost imperceptible.

 

[Bolt snapper]

Just curious how many miles? Any chance you can post a video?
.

I'm at just about 173,000 miles

 

[1955moose]

You might want to switch to a Ford motorcraft oil filter. Some of the cheaper oil filters don't have a drain back valve, and it affects pressure on start up. Hopefully it's something that easy.

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[parkerdoug383]

My 04 with 145 thousand has done it for a long time next oil change make sure you use a motorcraft filter.Personally I wouldn't worry about it they all seem to do it.

 

[1955moose]

Not true. My 2000 doesn't make a peep! Clatter on cold start up is generally a lack of oil between parts. It also could be one or more of the hydraulic lifters in the cylinder head. They get weak, or plugged. For that fix your going to have to disassemble heads, and check or replace each one. Again, lifters usually on the ohc motors act up when warm. Also be sure your oil level is at or above normal, and that it's clean.

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[parkerdoug383]

It's probably not worth it to disassemble heads and so on .my 04 has had startup noise for 5 years and hasn't gotten any worse and it runs perfect.the cost to tear these engines apart cost far more than these vehicles are worth.you can buy 04's all day long for 1500 to 2500.

 

[keg914]

My 03 5.4l does the same thing. She's probably been doing it for about 5 years now. She has about 230k miles and still runs great.

 

[the bus]

Sounds like low oil pressure at start up .. motorcraft filter and some high quality oil. Cheap stuff first.

 

[darmahsd]

On my '05 3Valve, it is as others mentioned, the tensioners not having enough oil pressure on startup causing the timing chain to rattle. This problem was addressed with tensioner upgrades that had improved O ring sealers. It has been recommended by the U Tube " Makuloco" channel, who I highly respect/recommend, to use 30 weight oil to help with the many problems the first series 3Valve had. But for the chain rattling problem on startup that some of these motors have, I have gone back to the factory recommended 20 weight and this has eliminated that problem, at least on my engine, which was making that noise from 46K miles when I got it. With 110 on it now & the 20 weight, no more noise, ever.

 

[1955moose]

At this point, keep an ear for any changes. I was just spitballing as to a couple of possibilities. Nobody wants to tear into the top end, unless necessary. Darmahsd, the 04, and 05 are different animals. The 04 Expedition doesn't have the phasers or solenoids like your 05, and as such no gaskets to leak, and lose pressure. The 04 F150 is a 3 valve motor, but not the Expedition.

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[John Stephan]

Could just be a lash adjuster that has a bit of crud in it and wont hold pressure. Ince the engine starts and sees constant oil pressure, the problem goes away. Then again, it's probably the tensioner. Try to identify which side of the engine the noise is coming from by having someone else start it while you listen. If it's the passenger side, I'd bet big money that it's the tensioner.

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[Bolt snapper]

I see a lot of talk of 5w-30 instead of the factory recommended 5w-20. I realize the start up weight would be the same, but is there any advantage to using the slightly heavier (especially in warmer weather) oil to keep things lubed at higher operating and ambient temperatures?

 

[parkerdoug383]

I truly believe it’s just something the 5.4’s Do if it’s a 2004 or older it’s a 2 valve and doesn’t have the cam phaser issues unless it gets a lot worse don’t worry about it and keep on trucking.

 

[johnboneske]

I see a lot of talk of 5w-30 instead of the factory recommended 5w-20. I realize the start up weight would be the same, but is there any advantage to using the slightly heavier (especially in warmer weather) oil to keep things lubed at higher operating and ambient temperatures?

Its only slightly thicker once up to temp. I run Mobile 1 Synthetic 5W30 and a Fram XG2 filter and have never had one issue. I don't have the common chatter at startup.