2003 F150 5.4, I've had the truck about 30k miles, it has almost 90k on it. When it is started after it sits overnight, it sounds like the rocker arms are running dry for a second or two. I use 5w-20 semi sythetic as recomended by the manual. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
Andy

 

You may want to change the oil and filter and use 5w-30. This may help.

 

It sounds like the noise my '99 is making , I talked to a Ford tech friend of mine about it , then he stopped by one day had me fire it up cold he said it sounded to him like the hydralic time chain tensioners, he says its nothing to worry about. That was last winter,it's not gettin any worse.

 

Probably timing chain tensioners.

 

I am using 5w-30 oil, I just typed 20 for some reason.

On the timing chain tentioners; are they a serviceable item, or should I wait until I get the 100k mile service done. By the way; whats involved in that other than spark plugs. Thanks for the advice.

 

You should be running 5-20 but 5-30 probably won't hurt with almost 100k. I had a 02 and it had the 4.6l. It had 57k when I traded up for my 05. It did the same thing on start up for a second or two. If it sat for a few days it would smoke and run rough for a few seconds as well. I said something to the dealer but I got the usual saying that they couldn't simulate it and haven't herd of that before.