Hi,

I just did the new PCM update from Ford on my 3.5 and although it made the engine run smoother in my opinion, it did not fix the cold start rattle.
The truck runs fine no codes and no noises after the morning rattle and the timing is spot on so I don’t think there is any chain stretch so I am debating if I should leave it alone or take advantage of the warranty extension and fix it.
I am at 75k so still have to pay about 40% which is roughly 1500. With that said many have said the rattle has returned after new phasers have been installed so debating if there is a point of fixing it. What is your opinion on this.

 

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sorry. Updated.

it’s a 17 f150 ecoboost 3.5 4x4

 

PCM update is not intended to fix the issue if you already have it, but rather hopefully prevent it from developing. Got mine done today and this is what my service advisor said. I have had phasers replaced 2x, so apparently the "updated" parts they used for the first repair didn't fix the issue as the cold rattle came back within 7k miles. If I were in your boat I would probably take advantage of getting Ford to pay for some of the cost of getting them replaced, but impossible to say right now if that and the updated PCM will prevent the issue from returning in the future.

 

I’ve had this truck for the last 25k miles with no other issues besides the rattle and don’t even know how long prior to that with the previous owner. The bulletin states the rattle does not interfere with the engine’s performance so besides the morning rattle which I can live with what else could be the potential issue?
I have red the first gen had issues with chain stretch however not so much for second gen because of redesign.

 

Count your blessings and enjoy driving your truck (IMO)

 

I know Ford's official statement is that "it does not effect performance or emissions" but they did not say anything about longevity. I have not seen any of the parts that were replaced to see if they had any extra wear on them.

 

Is cam phaser replacement fully covered under the 5 year / 60,000 mile powertrain warranty, and then covered partially after that based on year/mileage?

 

yes. They extended coverage up to 70k at 100%
70-80k at 66% and 80-90k 33% after 90k it’s out of pocket.

 

A friend of mine saw his when they took it off. The only thing they found was a broken pin which keeps the phaser in place at start up. He had 95k and there was nothing else viably wrong.

operationally the pin releases the phaser after oil pressure builds up so it’s only function is to keep it from rotating when engine doesn’t run.

some say this small movement of the phaser at start up causes timing chain stretch over time which then throws codes and the entire timing system has to be replaced.

others say they have put well over 200k miles with the rattle and no other issues.

even at 66% I am still looking at 1500-1700 repair which could come back as soon as a few thousand miles so is it really worth fixing besides living with the 3 second rattle?

that’s something each one of us has to decide.

And FYI. My extended warranty through Ally which has been really good refused to cover because at the moment there are no drivability concerns and no codes as well as Ford saying rattle is not a performance issue.