My 2000 SVT has started making a very nasty clattering noise on startup when the engine is cold. The colder the air temp the more pronounced the noise. It started in Nov when I first ran synthetic oil (Valvoline) w/Motorcraft filter. I ran the Valvoline for 1,000 miles and switched to Mobile 1. The noise has progressively gotten worse.
I see in the FAQ a TSB covering this for early 95's. It identifies the problem as oil leak-down causing the chain guide to hit the tensioner. I was having visions of lower rod bearings or main crank bearings going bad!!
My question is has anybody run into this with post 95 cars and would changing from conventional oil to synthetic on an engine w/47,000 miles cause this? If it is the chain tensioner, what needs to be done to fix it?
