I’m new to the forum, new to F150s in general. Yes I know this has been talked about ad nauseam. I have searched, I have researched, and read threads here and on Reddit. But I’m also prepared for the incoming “Use the search button” and “why make a new post” replies. Bring them on. I’m a big boy.

With all my research including listening to other recordings of various engine noises I’ve got some pretty mixed answers to what the noises are and if they are a sign of a ticking time bomb, a mild annoyance, or completely normal.

I’ve attached a couple videos via Imgur. The short one is a cold start up. Truck sat all night in 40 degree weather and it was the first start up of the day today.

The longer video was it idling last night in the driveway. I had driven it for a couple hours and my wife was looking it over and we started it up and I heard the knocking/ticking sound.

Engine Noise Videos

For context: 2018 Lariat Screw 5.5; 3.5L Ecoboost + 10R80 trans. 135K miles. Just bought it, but looks like regular maintenance has been done according to CarFax.

I have an extended warranty through Rt66 so if it’s broken I can get it fixed, but if it’s normal I’ll save my time and deductible.

Thank you for looking, listening, and replying!!

 

it's like the other million videos out there, the phasers are bad....google is wonderful thing once you learn how to use it.

 

If they haven't been changed yet, i would assume its phasers. I have a Gen 1 3.5L though and haven't had this issue yet so others might provide more insight. Just seen enough of these threads to assume that's your issue here. I would take advantage of warranty and get them done. Make sure they use new phasers 2020+ on the fix. Not sure if the old ones are still in rotation anywhere. You can definitely find all this information by searching.

 

First sound clip is not phasers...sounds like a lifter or something on the top end. Second sound clip is most definitely bad phasers. My 2 cents. If these are from the same truck, both issues could be fixed at the same time since the engine is opened up.

 

There it is! First reply. Online forums never change.

Seriously tho…what’s Google?

 

So that’s why I posted and asked. While using Google and searching this forum and Reddit and general internet searches (as I stated in the OP, @onestout ) I found videos of trucks making similar sounds. About half the ppl said cam phasers no doubt. The other half said NOT cam phasers, and was the VCT solenoid or the HPFP). The last half said it’s just a normal sound. That’s why I wanted to post MY truck and see what you all thought.

I was 90% sure it was cam phasers (startup video) but so much searching with Google (@onestout) gave so many conflicting opinions. Especially since the idling video sounds like a knocking not a rattle.

Thank you for a helpful reply!

 

From my research the 1st Gen didn’t suffer from cam phasers issues, at least not the extent of the 2nd gen. I’d be surprised if thr deprecated cam phasers were still even available but good advice.


Also I’ll try this “searching” thing you alluded to. Sounds fun-ish.

 

Cam phasers will clatter at start up and are audible when cold and sitting for a long while i.e. overnight. Once warm and the oil is pumped up they quiet down pretty quickly. Mine only lasted while warming on high idle quieting down when the RPM dropped below 1000. The other noise I can't comment on mostly because of how you hold the phone and move around. Keep in mind that every Ford tech will tell you the 3.5 Eco is a noisy engine, especially cold. However in my case three out of three as well as the service manager called out cam phasers within seconds of start up. Without going through it all, I ended up with a new engine after taking the truck in for cam phasers and the new one makes it's share of noise while walking past it after a start. Funny thing is I never paid attention to it until I heard the phasers rattle, now I consciously listen.
You are well past any warranty so take it to a dealer for confirmation and let them have it overnight and listen. Then you can decide what you want to do.

 

The camera movement was to try to pinpoint where rhe sound was coming from (ps or ds) and I did it quick to keep it brief. So sorry about the shoddy camera work.

I’ve got a 3rd party extended warranty so I can have it looked at and mostly covered. Ill be out gaskets fluids and sales tax.

 

Some of those warranties have a waiting period before you can file and some will list a max payout and set their own labor rate and you’ll own paying the difference. Make sure to read the entire contract so you know how good or bad of a warranty you were sold. Keep every maintenance receipt and do them all on time. I’ve been a claims adjuster for all types of 3rd party warranties.