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Engine ticking (5.4)

Old 12-14-2009, 02:59 PM
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Default Engine ticking (5.4)

I know it's been said it is a "piston slap" or wrong oil use.

Right now I have had 10w-30 with a cheap oil filter on for about 2 months. It recently started ticking pretty quietly during acceleration for about 1-2 minutes on mornings. I would hope the noise is from my thick oil and nothing else. It's a 99' 5.4 w/ 124k.

Any suggestions comments? Thanks!

I hope switching to 5w-20 with a Motorcraft will solve the problem.
Old 12-14-2009, 07:09 PM
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you sure its not an exhaust manifold leak?? see if u can see any broken studs... Its getting colder out now and my manifold leaks a lot more in the cold temps.
Old 12-14-2009, 08:20 PM
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Well the coldest I drive in is 60' F down in FL so I don't think weather is a factor. I have read having anything but 5/20 and a Motorcraft may start wierd noises.
Old 12-14-2009, 08:54 PM
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Why not change your oil to 5W30 and find out? My guess is a lifter tick due to the thick oil.

Oil is the blood of our trucks! Do not skimp on oil! It can make or break your truck!
Old 12-14-2009, 09:06 PM
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Yeah I understand, didn't plan to keep this cheap **** in long. Will probably do 20 instead of 30 though. Lighter is better I figure.
Old 12-14-2009, 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by david350
Yeah I understand, didn't plan to keep this cheap **** in long. Will probably do 20 instead of 30 though. Lighter is better I figure.
Not quite.. You do need some thickness.. It will get between the parts better and reduce wear.
5W30 is the recommended oil by the manufacturer for our trucks. I use 10W30 in the winter (changing to 5W30 on my next oil change) and 10W40 for the summer..

I only change my oil types for the seasons here in Michigan. Thicker for the summer, a little thinner for the winter.
Old 12-14-2009, 10:23 PM
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Default oil weight

the chilton manual specifies 5-30 for all temperatures and 10-30 if for all temperatures down to 0 degrees F.
Old 12-15-2009, 02:03 PM
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i got the same noise in my truck. idk what you can do to fix it tho. when did it start makin noise? like after an oil change or somethin?
Old 12-15-2009, 03:06 PM
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Got my truck early October. Oil change with a few days later. I really started noticing it 1-2 weeks ago, mabye not even 2...

It didn't seem to do it as bad this morning, but still there. I let it warm up about 2 minutes at idle before I take off, waited a little longer this morning, possibly reduced the noise?
Old 12-15-2009, 03:24 PM
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I saw another post similar to this a while ago in the 04-08 section, and alot of people were mentioning the "cam phasers" as the problem for the ticking noise.

I personally have had a ticking noise in my engine as well and tried all different kinds of oil to no avail, (ended up switching to synthetic). I was also told it was not the lifters by several mechanics (as i previously thought). I spoke with another mechanic at a dealership here in town (who owns a ford f150) and he said it was probably the cam phasers also.

from what I have been told if it is the cam phasers it will not damage the motor it is just annoying. I believe if you search cam phasers on the site it will pull up the other posts. Silverliftedford.

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