fredrico

Got a bit of a knock on startup. Are there lifters in these 4.6 2v engines? Sounds like a lifter to me. No knock after engine is runing or at any rpm, after. Maybe some detergent oil would clean it out or some heavier viscoscity oil would help? Its an 03 gt.
thanks for any suggestions.

JC316

They are called lash adjusters on the 4.6L, but it's basically a lifter. Probably have one that is leaking down. I wouldn't put thicker oil in as it will probably make it worse.

96meangreengt

I have noticed mine doing this also, only in the morning when I leave for work and can hear it for the first 2-3 mins of driving, does get faster the high the rpms go. I can hear with the windows down its not really that loud but does sound like my old 5.0 with a lifter chatter. Should I be concerned about it?

cliffyk

Engine knock at startup is usually a bad thing, however HLAs and hydraulic lifters often clatter a bit at start-up; usually for one of three reasons:

1. They are gummed up and sticking--infrequent oil changes, some sort of engine flush might help;
2. They are worn and collapsing--too low a viscosity oil used, or a whole bunch of miles (heavier oil might help;
3. It normal for the engine design--this is common with HLAs because they are tiny little things;

My '03 GT has always clattered a bit each day, on the initial start-up, for maybe 1/2 to 1 second--it did it at 30k miles and it does exactly the same at 100k miles.

If it goes away rapidly, don't worry about it. A bit of valve train clatter at start-up does little to no harm.

However if it's not valve train clatter, and is a bottom end rattle, then you have a problem brewing...

96meangreengt

Can you just replace the HLAS if thats whats ticking?

JC316

Yep, you can. Fairly easy job on a 2V too.