[RobF]

I appreciate the direct comments. My expectation that Ford would fix a problem that they were supposed to fix previously was delusional. I guess I am left no choice but to take the meek offering. I have bought Ford as my primary vehicle since 1992 and F150's since 1997. I'm not sure I'll get over this to the point where I buy another Ford.

 

[snakebitten]

I understand the point of view.

But ironically, it appears Ford finally has a decent phaser.
So you'd be switching to some other brands wart(s).

Kinda the devil you know thing.

 

[Char2022]

I received an official letter from Ford (as did about a million other people) talking about a "Customer Satisfaction" campaign. In my case, for a 2019 Expedition. I do have the startup rattle. The form clearly states it is a cam phaser noise. A NOISE, and nothing more, it says. It literally says the noise does not damage the engine. It goes on to say Ford will be glad to repair if desired (this campaign expired Jan of 2023), in order to keep customers happy. It was NOT a recall.

So there you have it. You can believe Ford Motor Company and not do anything. Or you can take others' word for it and assume it will soon explode.

I chose the former. Tens of thousands of miles later and mine still operates like a brand new engine, sans a startup rattle for 1.5 seconds.

Ford is lying to everyone The sound does cause damage to my ears and the fact that they don't tell you the truth that it will blow your motor and throw your timing chain Don't believe them I already went through it with Ford their liars. My truck started misfiring had the same rattle when I first got it. Mind you my truck is a 2013 Ford F-150 3.5 l EcoBoost. They had my truck for 3or4 months (long enough I had to buy another truck) and never told me what caused my timing to jump or the rattle.(i find out later by a great mechanic.) Not to mention they couldn't find the problem causing the misfire. No dealership around or shop until I found someone that knew more than Ford about these trucks. It was just a cracked spark plug that was arcing. Wouldn't you think that's the first thing to look at? I don't trust them all about the money

 

[snakebitten]

Your 2013 was far more notorious for a stretched chain, and yes indeed ignoring THAT startup rattle is very different than ignoring the phaser startup rattle on a 2017+ 3.5 Ecoboost.

Or put another way, both generations can have the coldstart rattle, yet very different prognosis for immediacy and risk of catastrophic engine failure.

As for the spark plug being the source of the misfire?
The 3.5 Ecoboost is a posterchild for damaged and/or faulty sparkplugs. Absolutely the technician should find that first when addressing misfires.

 

[9brandonh8]

I own both a 2013 and a 2018 3.5l ecoboost...never had any issues with startup rattle on the 2013 unless I was using cheap aftermarket oil filter. The way I understand it is that the oil filter actually has a backflow preventer in it. As long as I use motorcraft filters I don't have any issues in the Gen 1. The 2018 gen 2 on the other hand has been nothing but problems with the startup rattle. Cam phasers have been replaced TWICE under warranty before 100k miles. We had them done at 90k miles and now we're at 125k miles and the rattle is back with vengeance. I honestly think I'm just going to let it go this time because the "fix" still doesn't seem to be fixing the problem. I did verify they used the redesigned phaser part numbers the last time they did them. I'll report back in a couple years of letting this issue go to see what happens lol.

 

[Justinjs]

I own both a 2013 and a 2018 3.5l ecoboost...never had any issues with startup rattle on the 2013 unless I was using cheap aftermarket oil filter. The way I understand it is that the oil filter actually has a backflow preventer in it. As long as I use motorcraft filters I don't have any issues in the Gen 1. The 2018 gen 2 on the other hand has been nothing but problems with the startup rattle. Cam phasers have been replaced TWICE under warranty before 100k miles. We had them done at 90k miles and now we're at 125k miles and the rattle is back with vengeance. I honestly think I'm just going to let it go this time because the "fix" still doesn't seem to be fixing the problem. I did verify they used the redesigned phaser part numbers the last time they did them. I'll report back in a couple years of letting this issue go to see what happens lol.

For what it's worth, my 2013 had the chain rattle at 80k-ish, fixes around 130k, and no rattles since at 257k. I think the trick is to just change the oil at a 3-4k interval, it's what I did after the rattle started, too late to save the original chain/phasers but the new one has outlasted my expectations.

 

[Wayne Kirk]

My Cam phasers on my 2018 F150 3.5 eco-boost 163,000 miles and has been rattling for about a year on start up and has worsened over the last few months. Recently got engine light warning. I ran a diagnostic and it said it was a camshaft sensor but I was also noticing a little loss of power. And loss of gas mileage. So,,,,Took it to the dealership and come to find out the camshaft was out of time,
Ended up having to replace camshaft x2 from running engine a fraction off timing, , cam phaser’s , timing chain and guides .4200$, was told by supervising mechanic that had I drove it for another week. I would’ve ruined the motor..
Did not replace the camshaft sensor
It would be wise to replace the cam phasers after rattling for sometime and while it is tore down to replace the timing chain and guides as well.
I really like my F150 and I like the 3.5 eco-boost, just little parts that they should make more durable.,

I 100% agree, it is the little parts that are no longer “Ford Tough” that cause problems and significant repair $$$$$$

 

[air777777]

I appreciate the direct comments. My expectation that Ford would fix a problem that they were supposed to fix previously was delusional. I guess I am left no choice but to take the meek offering. I have bought Ford as my primary vehicle since 1992 and F150's since 1997. I'm not sure I'll get over this to the point where I buy another Ford.

Almost the same issue. I had mine since new 2.18 - I took it in multiple times complaining about a timing rattle - everytime they couldnt find an issue. Warranty expired in December and now they say its a critical $4000 fix. They are writing to see if Ford will assist with the repair. Like you I will not buy another Ford until I probably find out other manufacturers are just as bad. I was never that happy with this service department and now wish I'd gone to others. The problem was it would be there for 3 or 4 months when it was cold in NJ and would disappear in the warmer weather so I would forget.