2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Cold Start Knock

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CESMBC
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I just bought a 02 Ram 1500 with the 4.7 and I found that it dry starts after it has been sitting for a few hours. I changed the filter and added a qt of Lucas does anyone have any other suggestions? Is this common with this motor?
Oct 31, 2006 at 3:20 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
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Explain a dry start better.
Nov 1, 2006 at 7:29 AM
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CESMBC
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I am calling it a "dry start" because that is what I have heard others call it. What actually happens is upon starting a cold engine there is a knocking sound for about 2 seconds and then a light lifter tapping until the moter gets warn. It goes away pretty rapidly, and it never happens when the motor is warm. One fella suggested that the motor is sluggy and to run one qt of risoline in place of 1 qt of oil at ech change to "clean" the motor. I am trying it, and it seems to make it better. I have also talked to two dealerships that told me this was a "problem" with the 4.7 and they did not have a solution for it and they did not have any reports of it breaking anything else. They said it is just anoying, and keep it serviced and live with it. Any thoughts?
Nov 1, 2006 at 9:21 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
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That was a problem with some of the older engines. It seems to me that they designed the head to return every ounce of oil to the crankcase after it stopped. It also seemed to take a bit for the pump to kick the oil up to the valves.

My suggestion is to try the Slick 50 challenge. If you can get the oil to stick to the valves and coat all the parts it should start better, cut down the clatter, and increase the life of the engine. There are other additives but do some digging.
Nov 1, 2006 at 11:16 PM
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CESMBC
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Thanks for the information. I have had a few other guys suggest the same thing. I trid a qt. of Lucus, but after seeing how dirty the valve cover looked I thought it would be best to try to celan it up a bit first.
Nov 2, 2006 at 12:29 AM
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1BIGG1
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the new 5.4 ford 3 valve motors do the same thing after an oil change, unfortunately as far as i know its normal. i personally try to stay away from additives because of build up that may occur, i would suggest using the suggested oil weight in a synthetic motor oil.
Nov 6, 2006 at 2:52 PM
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BOOTDOG
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you could also try a wix oil filter. they do not drain back. this is just an idea. give it a shot
Nov 8, 2006 at 10:09 AM
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Suggested Repair

Use the specified oil weight in a synthetic oil and an anti-drainback filter such as a Wix. A coating additive such as Slick 50 was also suggested to help oil cling to the valvetrain. Keep the engine serviced; dealers described the brief cold knock as a known annoyance with no known fix and no reports of related damage.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 2002 Ram 1500 with a 4.7 reports a brief knock and light lifter tick on cold start after sitting, which stops once the engine is warm. The oil filter was changed and Lucas additive was tried. Experts linked the noise to oil draining back from the head and slow oil delivery to the valves. Suggestions included a no-drainback Wix filter, the correct synthetic oil weight, and a coating additive such as Slick 50. Dealerships called it a known annoyance to live with if the engine is kept serviced.

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