Has anyone had any valve chatter noises with a cold start? Or under normal passing on the highway? This is my first 4.6l mustang and I need to know if I should take it to the dealer befor the warranty is up?
Some valve clatter right after an oil change, or upon cold startup is normal, but it shouldn't make noises when its warm. Check your oil level, and use a Motorcraft filter.
Yes, lots of horror stories with Fram oil filters.
Low quality, tend to break up and clog... bad stuff.
The cold start chatter isnt "normal" but it sounds like a few people on here have that problem.
As far as chattering while passing, that could be pinging/detonation. Thats really hard on the engine. If it has alot of carbon buildup and you are running a lower octane that could cause the problem. Try filling up with some premium fuel and see if it goes away.
Some valve clatter right after an oil change, or upon cold startup is normal, but it shouldn't make noises when its warm. Check your oil level, and use a Motorcraft filter.
Could the viscosity affect valve chatter. I have some valve chatter while the engine is cold, I'm using Penzoil Synthetic 5W30. Do you think this would go away if I used the recommended 5W20?
O.K. It has a wix oil filter on it. Also upon further inspection it sounds like it might be coming fron the catalitic converters on the drivers side. And there is not much flow coming out of the pipes. I am trying to buy a mac pro chamber for it now, do you think this will fix my problem? Should I run 5w20 oil? Thanks for all the help guys.
You'd be fine with 5w30, and although the brand you use is pretty much a matter of taste (as long as you change it regularly,) I would personally use Motorcraft synthetic blend, because it's a better oil than nearly all the dino oils out there, and costs about the same. The wix filter is fine, although next time I would use Motorcraft, as it's cheaper and pretty much the exact same thing.
I would definately take it to the dealership to have that rattling fixed. While in there, might as well ask them if there's any new pcm programming or anything they can do before the warranty expires.
These engines were toleranced for 5W-30,. but ford found it could gain 0.25MPG and help it's CAFE numbers by running the 5W-20. A lot of guys have gone back to the 5W-30....myself included.
Fram filters are notorious for causing startup rattle due to their poor anti-drainback valve.
Wix filters are OK, but next oil change, use a Motorcraft 820S filter. Cheap and a Very good filter. Either 5w-20 or 5w-30 is fine up to you