I'm having an issue with the famous 4.7l cold start tick/knock. Been searching for hours online and still not sure I found a fix worth trying. Truck has 243k on it and I know I can get 300k+ from the truck but this cold start issue is driving me nuts. I know it can't do alot of damage from what most people say but having 243k on the truck worries me. Truck is in good shape and drives good but I know there is alot of sludge in the oil fill cap and can't imagine whats inside the motor. Gonna check for broken head bolts and stuff today while I replace my tie rods anyway. But I also seen posts on putting some kerosene in the motor to "clean" it up, but was wondering if this is a no no beings my truck has 243k on it or is a no no altogether. Anyway, was looking for solid statments here as I spent to much time with this as it is so some help would be gratful.

 

I will move this to the 2nd generation Dakota sub-forum.

 

243k on it I would drive it till it dies. I mean that's a lot of kms. If you start messing with the sludge it could get ugly fast. check your valves and rocker arms for proper adjustment if that doesn't help leave it alone. just my opinion

 

Sludge in the oil fill tube is probablybecause of condensation from the PCV dumping in there. Not a problem if your oil is free of sludge at oil change. Check for exhaust header bolt or heat reflector shield bolt being broken and causing the tick noise.

 

243k... not sure if you are talking KMs or Miles. Mine has about 208,000kms and has the "tick". I used seafoam on mine but I don't think it yielded much in terms of results. I have read that the "sludge" on the oil cap is common - I have that as well. I would say for me, if it wasn't giving you any trouble than dont mess with it. My motor runs strong and I keep up with the oil changes. I've never gone into an engine not even removed valve covers - to me, you could just be looking for trouble.
Just my opinion.

 

I wouldnt mess with a motor with that many miles. The sludge probably holds it together and keeps compression haha thats some great news tho that its still kickin. Run it till it dies. Put some high miles oil in it next, mix some cleaner in with the gas, i wouldnt gp as far ad seafoam and you should be good. Have you looked at the pullys? Maybe they are dry.

 

How about a weak oil pump. Not getting oil pumping as quick as it use too

 

mmo will slowly melt out the sludge it will take about two or three years of mmo to slowly de sludge the engine.

The safe way to de sludge

mmo in the engine cylinders as a soak is a good way to get any stuck/locked up rings free again.

It’s a day or two process if you want I can give it to you?