I have a 1998 Ford Taurus sedan with a 3.0 liter motor. I recently noticed a loud ticking noise at startup which sometimes after driving will stop. I think the noise is a single lifter or possibly more. I added 1/2 a bottle of Sea Foam to the crankcase drove for 25 miles and then changed the oil. I used a Bosch filter and 10W-30 Castrol. When I cranked the car after the oil change the lifter ticked for 2 or 3 seconds then stopped and the motor sounded great. This is my daughters vehicle so I asked her the next day if the motor was still making the ticking noise. She told me that it would make the noise for 2-3 seconds then stop and run fine. I just went outside and started the car after it had been sitting idle for 3-4 hours and the ticking noise was back. I let the car idle for several minutes and even revved the engine several times but could still here the ticking sound. Does anyone have any suggestions? Not looking forward to the possibilty of replacing the lifters.
Thanks !!!!!!

Are you confident the noise is lifter or could it be a water pump that is about to fail? Why are you using 10W-30 rather than 5W-30?

-Rod

I used a stethascope and listened to the engine with it against the valve cover and also with the oil cap off inside the cover. I am fairly certain it is a lifter (not positive). I guess it is a habit using 10W-30 due to the hot temperatures during the summer months here in Florida. Could the issue be a result of not using 5W-30?Thanks in advance for any help!

I'm not sure the 10W-30 would have any impact, but if I were looking for a noise that could be associated with a lifter that seems to go away after a few minutes of running, I wouldn't be putting in thicker oil than the lightest the manufacturer allows. I don't recall if that Taurus would have hydraulic lifters though.

When the ticking noise is present does the engine idle smoothly? I noticed you mentioned that your daughter said the noise would be there for 2-3 seconds, then "run fine."

-Rod

The difference between 10-30 and 5-30 would be insignificant in Florida.

What year did they start with 5w20?

Which 3.0 (DOHC or OHV?)

I am not sure of the answer as to the weight of oil recommended, but the plot thickens. Before leaving for work this morning I started the vehicle and to my suprise the ticking was gone. My daughter told me she had not heard the ticking today when driving. Several minutes ago as my daughter was leaving the house I listened to her start the vehicle and drive off and I never heard the ticking. When the ticking noise is present the motor seems to be laboring when accelerating. It seems to idle ok when the noise is present. Thanks !

When the ticking noise is present the motor seems to be laboring when accelerating. It seems to idle ok when the noise is present. Thanks !

Sounds like either a misfire or fuel injector issue. Fuel injectors tick and make a sound not unlike a ticking lifter I suppose. Either would tend to cause a slightly rough idle I would expect, but still worth checking in to. When's the last time a tune up was performed?

-Rod

It has probably been at least 12 months since the last tune up. I just spoke to my daughter who said the car ran fine today and she did not hear any ticking noises. I am going to start it up in the morning and see how it sounds. I had a friend tell me that he had a Cadillac with a similar problem and that a mechanic he knows at a local dealership told him to add (1) quart of transmission fluid to the oil. He told me at the next oil change he added (1) quart of "high mileage" transmission fluid to the crankcase and the vehicle started running fine. He thought the transmission fluid caused the seals to swell? If the noise persists I had thought about adding 1/2 a can of SeaFoam to the crankcase and leaving it in for 2,000 to 3,000 miles. Thanks!