Random Tapping after oil change with Amsoil filter and 5w-50.

[Booz]

Hey guys, I just recently got some Amsoil signature 5w-50 and the recommended Amsoil filter to go with it. After I got everything done, I ran up town about an hour later to get some errands out of the way, and as soon as I came to my first stop after the car had been completely warmed up I noticed it was making this random tapping sound; almost reminds me of someone smacking two ball bearings together, or those little firecrackers you throw at the ground that snap.

Needless to say this is fairly concerning, so I figured it couldn't hurt to see what you guys think is going on. A friend of mine was saying if the sound doesn't go away, to try going back to the Motorcraft filter, and maybe try something thinner, such as a 0w-40 or 5w-30. He thought that the oil might not be getting hot enough, and the tapping was possibly stemming from that.

The car is a 2014 Track Pack GT. I would appreciate any thoughts on the matter from you guys. I've been a long time lurker, but this issue made me sign up.

 

[CobraBob]

The first thing I would try right away, since the tapping started right after you changed the filter, is 5w50 oil and a Motorcraft FL-500S filter (I'm pretty sure that's the right number).

 

[M91196]

Interesting, oil meets spec and TP calls for that weight. Filter should be high quality. If it was me I might spin on a new Ford filter and see, not likely but.....
Then I would put the Motorcraft 5-50 in.
FWIW that's what I've used with no issues on my TP

 

[PaxtonShelby]

Track Pack cars take 5w-50.

 

[me32]

How many miles on the car

 

[Booz]

Just bought the car in June, the car had 35k on it then, it has 42k now. It was quiet on whatever oil the dealer had used for it. They had the Motorcraft filter on it.

Is there any reason to think that it could possibly go away with some time once the filter and oil break in a little? Because I put like 320 miles on it for work commutes each week, so I was going to give it until the end of this week, see if the noise persists, then go from there if needed.

I appreciate the responses so far.

 

[Zemedici]

Dumb question : How much oil did you put in it?

 

[PaxtonShelby]

Good question - should be 8.5 quarts.

 

[Booz]

I put 8 in, and checked the oil. Was right at the upper fill line as near as I could tell. New oil can be hard to see on the dip stick sometimes. Either way, it is within the brackets.

 

[me32]

Have you rechecked the oil level after driving the car on flat surface?

 

[CobraBob]

Track Pack cars take 5w-50.

Thanks for that correction. I just edited my post.

 

[Booz]

Have you rechecked the oil level after driving the car on flat surface?

Yep, I drove the car to work and checked this morning when I got home to see if the level moved, and the dipstick was showing oil just about 2mm below the top fill line. So about half between the mid to top.

If I was completely negligent and saw the oil was way down, I could see how oil level would be an issue, but I can't see how being a mm or two down from full would cause that noise. When I got to work the other day, I was listening to see if it was still making the noise, and it sounded like a typewriter at idle.

If it doesn't quiet down come Thursday, the filter and oil is coming out, and the Motorcraft filter along with something else, oil wise is going in. I remember reading something awhile back on these forums when I was researching the car before I decided to buy, and there was a guy who had a similar issue and went to a 0-40 and that worked for him and a couple others who tried after him. If that is the case, then that would reinforce the thought that the oil is too thick for how the car is driven. Either that, or the motors are very picky about filter/oil combos. I have never ran into this on any of our other cars. Then again.. none of those were quad cam motors either... simple V6s which like 5-30. lol.

 

[98 svt]

You are sure it's not just injectors and it's paranoia since the oil change? The typewriter comment makes me think injectors.

 

[me32]

Yep, I drove the car to work and checked this morning when I got home to see if the level moved, and the dipstick was showing oil just about 2mm below the top fill line. So about half between the mid to top.

If I was completely negligent and saw the oil was way down, I could see how oil level would be an issue, but I can't see how being a mm or two down from full would cause that noise. When I got to work the other day, I was listening to see if it was still making the noise, and it sounded like a typewriter at idle.

If it doesn't quiet down come Thursday, the filter and oil is coming out, and the Motorcraft filter along with something else, oil wise is going in. I remember reading something awhile back on these forums when I was researching the car before I decided to buy, and there was a guy who had a similar issue and went to a 0-40 and that worked for him and a couple others who tried after him. If that is the case, then that would reinforce the thought that the oil is too thick for how the car is driven. Either that, or the motors are very picky about filter/oil combos. I have never ran into this on any of our other cars. Then again.. none of those were quad cam motors either... simple V6s which like 5-30. lol.

Is it possible for you to make a video of the noise you hear?

 

[Booz]

This is exactly the same as what I am hearing. Not my car, but what I am getting.

Only happening when the car is warmed up and at idle. It's the slightly louder erratic snaps, or taps.

 

[PaxtonShelby]

My 2014 Track Pack has been on the noisy side since I did my first oil change. Not anywhere near as bad as in that video, but louder than it was previously. I have thought about trying the 5w20 that non TP GTs call for, as I don't run my car on a road course...just some WOT runs and drag strip a few times each year.

 

[Booz]

Well ya, as far as I know, the track pack gt's and the normal ones, motor wise are exactly the same internally. The only bolt on difference would be the oil cooler that the TP's have, but that's it to my knowledge.

 

[Booz]

Well, a small update.

I went and got some Mobil 1 0-40 and put that in with the Motorcraft filter, and after driving to and from work, the tapping/snapping noise is already much better. I would imagine with a bit more time, it will probably stop all together.

Update 2.
Engine seems to be back to normal again. So at least I know from here out that it likes the Mobil 1 0-40 and the Motorcraft filter.

 

[2FORDS]

I would say that it was the filter. Amsoil 5w-50 is the only oil that meets the Ford oil spec in that weight,other than Motorcraft.

 

[03Sssnake]

its not the filter and probably not the oil...my track pack 14 did this since new and occasionally does it right after changing the oil, would subside after a few hundred miles/completely go away (have 50K on the clock now). This sounds like the igniter tick/can of marbles, very erratic sounding. FWIW the TP cars do come with a 5-50 fill from the factory, but you don't have to use that. Normal GTs got 5-20 and there is nothing different interanally, you can really use anything in between. I have stuck to 5-30 Mobil 1 and Motorcraft 500, sometimes 820 filter. The 500S has lower bypass opening pressure, should be better for cold starts than the 820S.

Friendly PSA, don't forget to change to that fall blend