I have a '06 5.4 F-150 and when first started it makes a knocking noise,thinking it's either an exhaust leak or lifters? Any ideas. Thanks.

 

Is it loud of soft... Soft it's is the oil filter ... If u do not run a motorcraft filter you will get a ticking when you first start it.

 

First, change the oil and put a motorcraft filter on. Let us not turn this into a what oil and filter to use. After you change the filter and oil, let the engine rest awhile and listen to it again, if it is still there you are looking at internal damage. $$$

 

No lifters on an overhead cam engine. If it were a ticking noise that went away after a minute, then an exhaust manifold might be the culprit.

 

What's different about a motorcraft oil filter vs lets say fram?

 

Lets not start this debate AGAIN on this topic. search the threads. there are alot of threads on this topic alone

 

The difference between filters is the number of holes in it,surrounding the main thread hole. The less holes there are the more restrictive it becomes. Thus starving your motor of oil on start up's. I had a 04 5.4L and it knocked on cold starts then went away after a few seconds. It never got better or worse and the truck never blew up or ran abnormal. Somebody tried to tell me it was the timming chain hitting the cover but I really didn't buy into that.

 

Thanks Horse

 

On my 05 you hear the injectors ticking when first started.....could be that.

 

I had ticking but went away when I put the new filter on