Startup rattle question

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rwmorrisonjr

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Did the front end rebuild last July with all OEM parts and all went well. Now I’m hearing a very brief startup rattle after the truck hasn‘t been started for a couple of days. Also using a Motorcraft oil filter, running 5W30, and have a donut installed for the aftermarket oil pressure gauge sender.

Questions:

1. Is this normal, especially since I don’t drive it every day?
2. Would the donut cause the anti-backflow valve in the oil filter to not function correctly and keep oil in the heads?
3. Should I start thinking about opening the front end up again and checking/replacing the tensioners again?

Obviously 1 or 2 would be better, but I’ll tackle 3 if needed so the truck lasts as long as possible.
 
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rwmorrisonjr

rwmorrisonjr

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Bump for thoughts on this. Just ordered the Melling steel tensioners and cover gaskets to do the teardown before heading to Florida in June.
 
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mr_dave

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^ I second the gas pedal trick. I do that anyway if my truck has been sitting.

That being said, a rattle noise means the timing chain is slapping around and no, it's not normal. You might be able to mask the issue by holding the gas pedal for a few seconds while starting it or using different oil, but it does indicate there is an issue that should be addressed soon.
 
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rwmorrisonjr

rwmorrisonjr

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^ I second the gas pedal trick. I do that anyway if my truck has been sitting.

That being said, a rattle noise means the timing chain is slapping around and no, it's not normal. You might be able to mask the issue by holding the gas pedal for a few seconds while starting it or using different oil, but it does indicate there is an issue that should be addressed soon.
Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking too, hence why I ordered the Melling steel tensioners. Really annoyed this is back less than a year after doing the full timing job with all OEM parts.
 
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WheelieNooch

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I went through this also but with 1 year on on the melling tensioners before finally having to go back in (Cam codes came with after the cold start rattle eventually). I went with the melling ratcheting steel tensioners this time. It wasn't much more in cost and when I pulled off my plastic melling tensioners both had blown out the seal.
 
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