GoneBallistic

This is my first F-150. 2006 F-150 5.4l3v engine

Engine was replaced by me in October with a powertrain products engine. (mistake I now realize. Should have used powertrain company)

Everything is stock. I broke the motor in with dino oil as recommended by the engine manufacturer. changed at 50 miles, 300 miles, 1000 miles and I'm almost to 3000 miles before i switch to synthetic. my first oil was 5w-20 as requested on the breakin sheet, but subsequent ones have been 5w-30.

When I start the engine, the dash says "low oil pressure" for about .5-1 second. And I hear a light rattle for the same period of time. Then once the oil pressure hits it's fine.

is this normal? I thought the oil filters had some valve to keep the oil from draining. I'm using motorcraft filters.

I have started holding the pedal to the floor for 10 seconds on the first start of the day to keep that from happening. Should I be doing this?

I have never had a car or truck rattle for a sec on startup, and I just want this motor to last as long as possible and with it basically starting dry every day, feels like this engine is not going to last that long

manicmechanic007

Make sure you are using the correct Motorcraft FL 820 oil filter
You are running the correct weight oil right? 5-20 semi synthetic Motorcraft oil?

GoneBallistic

I am running motorcraft filter from dealer, not the web, so low chance of knockoff.

I ran the first 500 miles with 5-20 motorcraft, but have switched to 5-30 motorcraft for the last 1000 miles or so because everyone online seems to think that's better for the engine.

It lightly rattles for a half second with both. Seems the oil is not being retained in the head.

this is a new powertrain products engine, still under warranty, I wonder if I need to get this swapped. I don't think this engine is going 200k with it starting with zero oil up top every day.

laterongc

I would:
- take video/audio if the start up rattle
- read your warranty very carefully and have thorough understanding of what is covered and what is required to make a claim, etc before reaching out to them

- try swapping out that filter for a good alternate (try a wix). See if symptoms change.

- id also get a filter cutter and inspect that MC filter for both filter failure and for metal/engine debris.

Please update with what you find with your engine (wonder if it has Dorman/non oem parts?), and/or with how claim goes. Good luck

manicmechanic007

IMO that is all you can do at this point
Run the correct oil and filter and document the oil changes like an accountant
Video the engine doing that cold start knock
Talk to the people who sold you the engine right now, show them the video
They will want you to run it for a thousand miles break in or so then decide what to do

northern pointer

I have a 2008 F150 with the 5.4 liter engine. On cold starts, I too started getting that brief rattle for a second or so. It is the timing chain striking the timing cover. Turns out the chain tensioners were not doing their job of keeping the timing chain tight on the initial startup because some have been known to leak oil when cold so the tension on the chain is not there to start with. Replace the tensioners. Holding down the accelerator pedal for about 10 seconds does not start the engine, as you know, but it does fill the tensioners with oil so that it applies the pressure to the chain before you start the engine. At least that was the problem with my engine. Once I replaced the tensioners, (in fact I did a whole timing kit replacement) the brief rattle was gone.

y2kbmet

Northern - can you elaborate more on "holding down the gas pedal"? I have had the horrible startup rattle for almost two years now and I can't find the time or $$ to get it fixed. I want to use your method - as a bandaid until I get the time or money. I've tried a couple of different ways but I still get a little start up rattle. Should I be holding it down 10 secs before turning key or 10 secs while turning the key? It seems this could be hard on the battery or starter but again, I'm just trying to get by a little longer. Please advise and thanks in advance. Of note, I have 2007 5.4L with 156k miles on it.

laterongc

Push pedal to floor and hold it there, turn key to start letting it crank for ~ 10 seconds, while still cranking: release pedal, truck will then start.

northern pointer

As laterongc says, Push pedal to floor and hold it there, turn key to start letting it crank for ~ 10 seconds, while still cranking: release pedal, truck will then start.