2.7L cold start rattle?

does it have a timing CHAIN or belt?-1st thought when you reported mileage-timing CHAIN RATTLE.
has it been replaced?

 

2.7 has a chain.

 

From everything that has been said I would have to say piston slap. Till someone tears one down and checks it with a fine tooth comb. That seems to be the most (logical) answer Captain. I just don't throw the coals to it first thing in the morning when it is cold. Mine set outside for 3 years and since we built a garage and I keep it in there the knocking has seemed to let up somewhat. 215K don't use any oil and I use 5w-30 synblend. Just like a Timex, takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

 

^^^Sound advice. Pushed my 95 up to 250k, and in the winter she knocked really hard just like the video. I don't recall when it started, but I think it was closer to 200k.

What I did to keep the engine strong:
-synth 5w in the winter and 10w in the summer
-relocated the oil filter (added volume, allowed for a bigger filter, no more messy oil changes)
-run high octane fuel when the nasty cold really sets in
-drygas every two or three fill ups during the winter
-conduct ALL regular maintenance at recommended or shortened intervals
-when I started it in the morning I just let that truck sit there and idle, the colder it was the longer she warmed up, I almost never had to brush snow off the truck as it had all melted
-monitor and top of all fluids during oil changes

OP, it was mentioned above and bears repeating: Don't jump in the truck when its cold as hell and start romping on the gas or driving off while its knocking. You will greatly accelerate wear and tear, and then one day she'll quit in a very unladylike fashion.

If you would like to do a little added "preventative" maintenance check to see when the oil pump was replaced last, if at all. Check the oil pressure. If you're worried about gunk built up in the motor do a search in the forums for "seafoam". Dunno how good that stuff is, I never bothered to use it.

I'm assuming you're on an air base. Go find the automotive hobby shop. It's either free or dirt cheap, and they have every tool you'll ever need as well as a clean and dry place to work.

 

Okay I use to get the rattle before, but it went away after I switched to a wix oil filter.

 

My 09" Does this anytime it's under 32ºF. It started two years ago. And I only have 42,000k on the truck.
I was going to explore switching oil brands.

 

I was using 5w30 like they say to use. Switched to high mileage syn-blend 5w30 and it still rattles but not on start up. It does it when it is put under a load, but only if I don't give it at least a 5 minute warm up. We have been in the single digits this winter, haven't had that in a long time.

 

"single digits" In NJ 2. Welcome 2 Global Warming

 

Has this been fixed? I keep reading "piston slap" but has anyone had this actually confirmed? I too have the same noise only when cold but it doesnt do it every time. If in fact its "piston slap" wouldnt it do it every single time its cold? The fact that it does away within seconds after starting and the oil pressure builds has me leaning more towards timing chain,guides and tensioner. I know if your tensioner loses prime that chain will slap the timing cover and make a similar sound. Has anyone had their motor taken apart and this fixed?

 

Seems to be a common problem with the 2.7. My truck does the same thing same exact noise on a cold morning and Ive got 130k. Never replaced the chain or guides but people have told me its a good idea. Got a price quote for a timing chain and guide replacement and the mechanic I spoke with said it would be about a $1200 job at about 14 hours labor. Not saying that's what the knock is in fact I would much rather it be piston slap and wish somebody could confirm that.

 

My truck as of today has roughly 165k. I did not look into taking it apart only because the coldest of the coldest season in San Diego is only about 1-2months when the rattle happens. It goes away in less than 10 secs....drives normal. I feel it is not worth the money and effort to dig into it unless I really knew for sure what I am looking for. Just my personal opinion.

 

However, I was hopeful someone out there had the same problem with the resources of having looked into it so that way, I would know exactly what it was to be fixed before getting it taken apart.

 

Ever since my truck was new, if left sitting in temps of 20F or so, if I don't let the oil circulate for about a minute, I will get the start up rattle, and it lasts, you guessed it, about a minute.

I am more inclined to think that this noise might be valvetrain noise. Lots of valves and lifters, and such, can make quite a clatter. Today when I left work it was 30F and I did not let it idle for a bit. In the first 30 seconds of easy driving, you could tell it was on the verge of making noise if I gave it much throttle.

Me thinks this is just the nature of the beast.

 

Almost sounds like something is loose?
I've never had that on my truck..

 

My '03 Tundra 4.7 sounded like a Powerstroke first start when it was below 50.

 

That seems pretty pricey. But if Toyota was doing it their labor is higher than a cats back. I too was hoping someone would have a 2.7 torn down by now and would be able to give some insight as to what the chitty, chitty, bang, bang was. I did go to my local dealer and asked them what long term maintenance requirements were, he told me there wasn't any, as far as timing chain, valve adjustment and such. 216K drive it every day and hope for the best.

 

Don't know if anybody can tell me for sure but Ive been told that its not the timing chain that wears on these engines its the cheap ass plastic chain guides that give people problems. Im still driving the hell out of my truck at 130k with engine knock and all but Ive been warned time and time again that the chain guides on these trucks do need replacing. Can anybody shine some light on that and tell me if its truth or myth??

 

It can be both.

If the engine is take care of with regular oil changes, it will go 300k before there's a problem with the chain and guides.
If the oil is not taken care of, then you get both worn guides and chain stretch. It's not actually "stretch" so much as it is an apparent lengthening of the chain caused by wear at the pivots.

And while that will be noisy, it will be constant... not go away when the engine warms up, and it is more of a steady clatter than it is the rhythmic knock of piston slap (or a bad bearing).

 

My truck has start up noise as well, its only in cold weather (below freezing). It does not happen if I plug it in (freeze plug and oil pan heater). It seems to be more noticeable since I switched to a Toyota filter previously I had always used Napa or Fram filters.

 

i've noticed this banging also but it's not this pronounced. This is the first time I've heard it and i'm leaning towards it's been so cold here lately. I've run Toyota oil and oil filter since I got the truck. I'm at 152K miles also.

I bet it's the damn monkey that lived in the trunk.