Cold starts

[slickster]

In the morning at about 50deg the motor sounds like it has no oil in it for a sec until the oil travels. Does anyone get this on a cold start. I'm using 5-20 motorcraft it's a light body oil and should not gunk up under cold conditions. I'm starting to think about zmax , would that help. Or is this one reason to store the car for the winter

[Guittard22]

I have an older truck that this happens to , after it warms up it's good to go but that's at like 30-4O outside temps never 50 :(

[jstevens]

So you're running a semi-synthetic. I'm running full syn just due to that possible engine.

Of course on cold starts all I can hear is that darth vader sound.

[LANDY]

Are you using a motorcraft filter?

[slickster]

oh yea more like 30 40 deg.and yes motorcraft filter. the only other thing i can think of is when the car sets for about a week i get a small amount of blue smoke

[slickster]

if i cant figure this out im thinking about adding some lucas or parking it for the winter.i dont mind the winter as long as theres no salt down

[fastblackmerc]

if i cant figure this out im thinking about adding some lucas or parking it for the winter.i dont mind the winter as long as theres no salt down

Don't use any additives!

A good quality motor oil like Motorcraft or Mobile 1 will have all the needed additives.

My engine does the same thing for a few seconds also.... doesn't matter if it sits for 1 day or 2 weeks.

The noise and puff of smoke if "normal" for our motors.

[DOOM]

People here have said Z-max is crap!

[RF Overlord]

Couple things:

1) Do NOT use ZMAX...it's been proven to be nothing more than coloured mineral oil.

2) Phoebe has been making that sound on cold starts...and I mean from summer temps all the way down to sub-zero in the winter...for every one of the 70,000 miles we've owned her (155,000 now).

You could try a 0W-20 or 0W-30 and see if that changes anything, but quite honestly I wouldn't be overly concerned about it. As far as the occasional puff of blue smoke, that's very common with these engines and means nothing unless it suddenly becomes much more frequent or severe.

[slickster]

:sweat:ok i might do some checking up on 0-20 or 30 just cause that sound makes me grunge my teeth

[jimbok1951]

Mine was always doing this, I felt like it was tearing my heart out till it stopped, last oil change I installed Motorcraft FL820S not a peep since on start up. Supposed to have a check valve to keep oil upstairs to prevent this. Worked for me. Worth a try.

[fastblackmerc]

:sweat:ok i might do some checking up on 0-20 or 30 just cause that sound makes me grunge my teeth

I run 0w30 year-round with a FL820S filter.

[Mr. Man]

Is there a FL820 oil filter too? Need to do and oil change on the SB when it comes back from the body shop. Want to make sure to get the right filter.

[Pat]

I've always used the Kaiser treatment : "You will work and you will like it".

[CBT]

I run 0w30 year-round with a FL820S filter.

How many miles? And what'd ya switch for?

[a_d_a_m]

Wouldn't worry about that noise, at it's pretty much normal for all 4.6L engines based on my experience. I've had two Marquis and a Marauder in my roster, and my dad has a 2003 GT. They all do that on colder starts.

I run 5W20 synblend or full-syn and a FL820S all the time. The one time I used a Fram filter, the startup noise got WAYYYY worse.

[03blackmerc]

I have the same noise. Started useing a k&n oil filter with the check valve built into it and I have noticed less noisy cold starts. But any ford over head cam motors make this noise. From taurus to f150 they all make valve noises on cold starts.

[Phrog_gunner]

There was a Dept of Commerce (I believe?) investigation into Zmax and it was actually found to cause more harm than damage to an engine. IIRC it made the oil mix a tad bit more acidic leading to faster bearing wear, I believe that actual investigation link is in a thread here about Zmax somewhere if you care to search for it.

[TFB]

Is there a FL820 oil filter too? Need to do and oil change on the SB when it comes back from the body shop. Want to make sure to get the right filter.

Not unless it's old stock... The FL820S is slightly shorter than original and eases installation slightly, still mostly a PITA...

[Blackened300a]

I noticed that I didn't have the startup noise with a 820S filer. My last oil change I went with a Royal Purple filter and I have the noise. I'm ready to switch the filter today.

[boatmangc]

I have had 3 DOHC modular motors, well actually 4 now counting the Aluminator, that all have had the same noise, I was told it is the timing chains before the tensioners get to full pressure.
99K on my 2nd DOHC and it made it from when it was new to when I sold it.
I have run most of them on 0-20 Amsoil, using their filter which also has the anti drain back check valve.
I am running Amsoil 5-20 racing oil in the Aluminator with the Amsoil filter, the motor came new with Ford Racing synthetic and the Fomoco filter.
Same noise with either oil/filter combination. However you quickly forget about the chain noise after a few minutes of listening the Aluminator piston slap song!

[Blackened300a]

However you quickly forget about the chain noise after a few minutes of listening the Aluminator piston slap song!

I know that tune very well. :(

[fastblackmerc]

Not unless it's old stock... The FL820S is slightly shorter than original and eases installation slightly, still mostly a PITA...

When Ford changed the shorther FL820S, I went out and bought everyone of the old stock (longer) I could find..... I'm set for another 20 years.....

[99SVT]

I have had 3 DOHC modular motors, well actually 4 now counting the Aluminator, that all have had the same noise, I was told it is the timing chains before the tensioners get to full pressure.

Ya, I've had 6 mod motors over the years, and most of them will end up making that noise if not started for several days once the mileage gets up a bit. It seems to be a combination of gunk in the oil galleries, timing chain stretch, chain guide wear, tensioner bleed down, etc. I wouldn't worry too much about it.



Same noise with either oil/filter combination. However you quickly forget about the chain noise after a few minutes of listening the Aluminator piston slap song!

How bad is it on yours? Mine just makes a bit of a rattle in the 2800-3000rpm range when cold. Once the temp guage needle starts to move it goes away.

[slickster]

Knock on wood for saying this but has anyone ever had Timing chain issues or lash adjusters etc. I remember seeing one on auto trader with this problem bent the valves

[03sport007]

My Marauder make the noise sometimes always hate it. My wife's expedition sounds down right scary for the first few seconds. What's funny is the $500 Grand Marquis that I bought to get me around while I'm doing my eaton swap is as quiet as a church mouse.

[boatmangc]

It seems to be a combination of gunk in the oil galleries, timing chain stretch, chain guide wear, tensioner bleed down,etc.

My Aluminator always did it, it only has 18,000 miles on it now with 3000 mile oil changes regularly. I have strong doubts about gunk, stretch or wear.
I think it's just the nature of the beast.

[boatmangc]

How bad is it on yours? Mine just makes a bit of a rattle in the 2800-3000rpm range when cold. Once the temp guage needle starts to move it goes away.
It sounds like a mechanical oil pump running dry or a few marbles loose around the flex plate until the motor comes up to full temp.

[Blackened300a]

It sounds like a mechanical oil pump running dry or a few marbles loose around the flex plate until the motor comes up to full temp.

Exactly. I put the car on the lift and did a cold start. Its not as loud under the car but its annoying. I should have requested a tighter rebuild.

[Joe Walsh]

Canton AccuSump FTW!

http://www.accusump.com/accusump_tech.html

[TFB]

My Aluminator always did it, it only has 18,000 miles on it now with 3000 mile oil changes regularly. I have strong doubts about gunk, stretch or wear.
I think it's just the nature of the beast.

Agreed, just the timing chains and/or lash adjusters rattling a bit till the oil pressure builds and pulls the chains tight... Mine sounds like hand full of marbles being dropped in a bowl, which is valve lash not timing chain noise... Interestingly neither my '98 or '07 2v modulars have any noise at start up...

My mom's 25K mi '03 Grand Marquis knocked something awful when I used a Purolator Classic filter on one change... It had a strong clacking that was no doubt the chains slapping on the inside of the timing covers... I switched back to the Motorcraft, no noise since... I've not had a issue with the Pure One Purolator, but I'll not use the Classic again...