What does this cold start engine ticking sound like to you?

BillyT903 · Jan 31, 2011

It only occurs when the engine is cold after starting and goes away in a minute or so. The motor was rebuilt about 2 months ago and has about 2k miles on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vfFcnM7chA

midnightdriver · Jan 31, 2011

BillyT903 said:
It only occurs when the engine is cold after starting and goes away in a minute or so. The motor was rebuilt about 2 months ago and has about 2k miles on it.

YouTube - MVI 5701

I would take it back to who ever rebuilt it and show them the video. Assuming the rebuild came with a warranty.

BillyT903 · Jan 31, 2011

midnightdriver said:
I would take it back to who ever rebuilt it and show them the video. Assuming the rebuild came with a warranty.

That's not an option. Any input on what it sounds like?

midnightdriver · Jan 31, 2011

BillyT903 said:
That's not an option. Any input on what it sounds like?

Why is that not an option?

Well if I had to take a wild guess I would say it has to do with your oil systems. Sounds like cam tap/valve tap/lifter tap or something with the timing chains such as a tensioner that is stuck or corroded in a way that it takes longer to build up oil pressure to make it function correctly.

That is taking a wild guess. Until you figure it out, I would personally not drive it too far.

Have you check the oil level lately?

BillyT903 · Jan 31, 2011

midnightdriver said:
Why is that not an option?

No warranty. Previous owner had engine rebuilt.

trinity_gt · Feb 1, 2011

Get an oil pressure gauge -- a proper one, not the dummy "gauge" on the cluster -- and check it while making this noise. If the oil pressure is okay you might have a timing chain tensioner issue. If the pressure is low you might have a pickup problem, a clearance issue in the engine (e.g. main or rod bearing with excessive clearance) or perhaps a problem in the oil pump itself (e.g. sticking bypass.)

Try to isolate the noise in the engine: front, rear? Top, bottom? Left, right?

When the noise stops, does it just sort of fade away or abruptly stop?

Once it's stopped, do you hear any other noises from the engine at any time (accel, coast, overrun, idle etc)?

When the engine was rebuilt, what components were used? Were forged pistons used? They can be noisy on cold-starts though this noise doesn't really sound like piston slap...

Has it always done this since you've had it or is it a new development?

trombonedemon · Feb 1, 2011

Well, My engine is freshly rebuilt/overhauled, the builder put 10W-30 in the engine, engine sounds fine, I changed the oil to 5 weight, now I have lots valve train noise. The reccomended putting 10 weight back and a quart of Lucas oil.

BillyT903 · Feb 1, 2011

trinity_gt said:
When the noise stops, does it just sort of fade away or abruptly stop?

It fades away slowly after about 1 - 2 minutes. Also gets less noticeable as the idle slows down.

Once it's stopped, do you hear any other noises from the engine at any time (accel, coast, overrun, idle etc)?

Only about two times after an hour of hard highway driving it made a slight ticking just after exiting the freeway at the stop light that went away within seconds. No other noises since and haven't heard that in a while.

Has it always done this since you've had it or is it a new development?

I thought the motor sounded kinda noisy when cold from day one, and it could have made this noise all along but it seems to have become more noticeable. I also took it for its first oil change 3 weeks ago and so it may have gotten louder since then. I took it to a mechanic who let it sit for a couple hours but he never heard the noise. It doesn't jump out at you and I had to take like 6 videos before I captured it this well. It also goes away too fast to drive it even a few blocks anywhere and have anyone hear it.

nancygrl · Feb 1, 2011

If it was an old school motor (OHV) I would say it sounds like a collapsed lifter because it goes away once the engine warms up, but we don't have lifters per-se w/pushrods etc. Similar engine ticking seems to be a common issue with f-150's with the 4.6 and 5.4 motors. From what I've found searching online, if it's in the top end it maybe a lash adjuster.

BillyT903 · Feb 2, 2011

I suppose this could be doing some damage when it happens, right?
Does it make a difference whether I just let it warm up or start driving right away?
And what if heavier weight oil makes it go away?

What does this cold start engine ticking sound like to you?

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