2003 over-revving on cold start

[mustangd]

hello-
just got a 2003 P71 recently. have had several crown vics in the past, the 03 is the latest model of the lot.
question- when the engine is cold, on start up, engine rev's way up, and i have valve train noise, rev slows to normal quickly, and valve train noise dis-appears completely. no noise under normal operation, and if engine is warm, on start up, no over revving, and no noise from valve train.
am concerned over time this wil cause valve spring trouble, and over-revving during winter temps isn't healthy for the motor either.
my brother has a 2006 crown vic LX, that does the same thing.
my earlier models 1996-2001 never did this.
is this an air idler issue?
is it something that can be fixed?
thanks!

[way2old]

We have over 200 of those in our fleet and all of them do it. I guess it is programmed in through Ford.

[mustangd]

thanks way2 for replying, with that many in your fleet, have you had any trouble with damage to the valve train components?

[way2old]

About the only damage we have is when the Police try to run through water and hydrolock the engine. We have had no problems with the valve train. They will rev to about 1500 and drop to 1200., than on down to normal idle which is about 950.

[rhandwor]

Does your oil pump pick up immediately or does the valve train noise stop after the oil pressure is up to normal. You might try 10W30 oil if this is the problem.

[mustangd]

i don't think the 2003 police crown vic has the high output oil pump the late model mustangs have, which is to say, the noise is there for a second then gone, no doubt as the oil pump comes online.
just don't understand the reasoning on this high rev', my 2001 and earlier, never did this.
thanks!

[1996Chreokee]

my 01 and 03 both do it... i cringe everytime..We have over 200 cars in our fleet and they all do it too

[slash09]

my 01 marquis was doing the same thing but it wasn't the valvetrain making noise, it was the rods. then one day on the way to work i was sitting at a light and my car started shaking. i looked down at the guages and the oil pressure needle was bouncing around. some "ford mechanics" said it was the camshaft tearing up the head because i used 30 weight oil. this is bull because 1; i only use 5w20 just as it calls for ( i even had an unused quart in the trunk) and 2; one of my inlaws is a cop and he says they use 10w30. it's pretty freakin hot in texas.

[pollenjesus]

Originally Posted by mustangd

hello-
just got a 2003 P71 recently. have had several crown vics in the past, the 03 is the latest model of the lot.
question- when the engine is cold, on start up, engine rev's way up, and i have valve train noise, rev slows to normal quickly, and valve train noise dis-appears completely. no noise under normal operation, and if engine is warm, on start up, no over revving, and no noise from valve train.
am concerned over time this wil cause valve spring trouble, and over-revving during winter temps isn't healthy for the motor either.
my brother has a 2006 crown vic LX, that does the same thing.
my earlier models 1996-2001 never did this.
is this an air idler issue?
is it something that can be fixed?
thanks!

I have an 03 crown vic and I can't say I have ever noticed excessive startup speed. So I went out to my cold car and started it up. Tach says it spikes to 1700 rpm, drops down to 1400 for a minute to heat up the cats and drops down to about 750 rpm. Idles in gear at 600 rpm when warm.

I don't get the valvetrain noise you describe. My car has 211 000 km (132 000 miles)

[1996Chreokee]

I talked to a Police garage mechanic today and asked him about this problem and he said its the IAC motor and not the valvetrain... The reason for this idle is the car runs tests and its controlled by the coolant sensor... he said its not a problem

[slash09]

Are you sure the noise is valve-train?