My SSO and Ford modular cold start ticking story

[lyle]

Ever since I've had my 5.4L modular Ford V8, it's had an annoying cold start ticking when the temps fall to the 50 deg and below range. I've heard hundreds of reasons, piston slap, faulty filter, fuel injector noise, exhaust manifold leak, bad lifter, had 'em all checked, not a single problem diagnosed or found. It's something I just learned to live with, as have hundreds of thousands of other Ford modular V8 owners.

I've always used M1 0W or 5w30 in the winters, changing it right around Thanksgiving. Last year, I switched to SSO because I bought a bunch at preferred customer pricing. Well, last winter I heard the cold start ticking only on the very coldest of mornings, usually when it was in the teens and twenties below zero, and then it went away real fast. Spring came and SSO came out in favor of HDD.

One month ago I changed out the HDD for my winter fill, 6 qts. of M1 0w30 AFE. Darned if the cold start ticking started again with a vengeance. I wondered if last winter could be just a coincidence, or is there really something about the SSO that quieted my mod. One week ago I had enough and dumped the M1 for 6 qts. of SSO. The cold start ticking went away, and this past week has been colder in the mornings than the past 3 weeks before it.

Is there something in the SSO chemistry that makes it superior to M1 as far as Ford modular V8's are concerned? I don't know, all I know is that SSO has pretty much stopped all cold start noise for me. I've only got one or two more winters at best on this 11-year-old beast of an Expedition, but I know what I'll be filling the crankcase with next winter and any more after.

 

[OVERKILL]

Might just be the weight. Try M1 0w40 and see if it goes away. Mine makes no noise no matter what is in the pan though so.....

 

[Bryanccfshr]

Noise attenuation is personal preference. No two peoples ears are going to perceive the same thing, some folks won't here the same thing, while others simply live with it. Noise has not been shown to be an indicator of wear or poor protection. If it is your personal preference run the oil that covers the noise that bothers you the most…meanwhile someone next to you could be thinking….”what a rattle trap”

 

[tig1]

I had the 4.6 Mod in my Merc GM with 218,000 miles when I sold it and I never had any noise at all with M1 10-30.

 

[DragRace]

If it was Me,I'd stick with the SSO

I've got a annoying cold start ticking when it gets cold,that I'm hoping the Redline 0w30 takes care of it.

 

[Steve S]

SSO seems to be the real deal.

 

[ottotheclown]

I would dump the SSO and switch to Motorcraft blend. I have seen it work wonders.

 

[Ben99GT]

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: lyle


Is there something in the SSO chemistry that makes it superior to M1


Yes. It has an anti-cold start tick remover additive. It doesn't just quiet the tick, it actually removes it.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: Bryanccfshr
Noise attenuation is personal preference. No two peoples ears are going to perceive the same thing, some folks won't here the same thing, while others simply live with it.


Ain't that the truth...Drove my moms C.V. a few months back and I heard a loud knocking sound...When I asked her about it she said she didn't hear it...It was the catalytic converter which was covered under warrenty...Later on I asked a friend of hers who rides with her a lot about the knocking sound and she said it was knocking for months but my mom blew it off as she didn't hear it...Guess I will have to drive her car more often.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: ottotheclown
I would dump the SSO and switch to Motorcraft blend. I have seen it work wonders.


+1

 

[ARCOgraphite]

The magic of esters in the blend

 

[ProStreetCamaro]

Originally Posted By: ottotheclown
I would dump the SSO and switch to Motorcraft blend. I have seen it work wonders.



Uh why would he do that when the SSO eliminates the noise? Now I would suggest maybe next go around to try the motorcraft blend or the full syn and see what happens. Both are very good oils but to dump the SSO would be crazy.

 

[chevrofreak]

What oil filters were you using each time?

 

[Ben99GT]

MCSB is a very good oil for the money, but dump SSO for it? That's like suggesting to dump SSO in favor of PYB or Havoline, two oils that are very much on par with MCSB. It's insane advice...

 

[lyle]

Quote:
What oil filters were you using each time?


I'm using Napa Gold's, can't beat the Fleet Filter price of $3.08 each for a case of 12.

It's not filter-related as once ambient reached 45-50F or so I didn't get the cold start tapping. It's been in the twenties the past couple of mornings and with SSO, there has been no cold start tapping.

I think I'm done with M1 for this car. I'll stick with SSO in the winter and my usual HDD in the summer.

 

[chevrofreak]

It can be filter related. When the oil is cold, the oil may be thick enough to not allow the ADBV to seal right or something like that.

Try a Motorcraft FL-820S just for the heck of it. I'd almost be willing to bet money the noise goes away.

 

[lyle]

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...true#Post356108

I'll not be using Motorcraft filters until at least my supply of Napa's are gone. I've used Pure One's and Amsoil filters in the winter in past years and the ticking is still there with M1.