Have a 2004 f150 xlt 5.4 with 108,000 miles on it. After oil change when you first start it up it knocks for a few seconds and then smoothes out.I have no codes and eng runs smooth other than valve tick at idle. Is this normal for a 5.4?

 

Do you fill the oil filter before installing it?

 

That's normal. There is a slight knocking until pressure can be built up, and like Turtle said you can minimize it by filling the oil filter first. It won't cause any significant damage, but if you want to reduce it fill the oil filter with oil before you install it.

 

Yeh i always fill filter first. Should I run full syn oil?

 

It won't make a difference. Either way it takes a second for the oil pressure to build up and it will tick until it does.

 

Replace the filter first. Your oil should be clean if you just changed it, put a new motorcraft filter on it add any oil needed because of the filter change.

 

valve tick? Yeah right that is either your cam phasers, or VCT Solenoid sensors causing the tick at idle. 108k miles I guarantee that sucker sounds like a diesel at start up. A slight knock at start up? Mine doesn't do that at all. Have never heard it. Mine always ticked after it warmed up (ie cam phasers) sounds like a freaking diesel. Its in the shop now getting all that stuff taken care of.

 

Cheap oil filter?

 

X2...what kind of oil did you put in it ??

 

Motorcraft is the only way to go on these trucks. Ford knows these motors, so put what they recommend on it.