peahrens

Please pardon if this is too repetitive but I can't seem to find the related older posts. I bought a '15 King Ranch (built around 6/15) in November with a 3.5 EB.

Then (of course) I read about some significant (early?) issues with this engine about timing chain stretch and related cold start noise, TSB at some point, maybe even parts improvement along the way, possible (additional?) future fixes in '17 models.

So here I am with trepidation about the long term with my mid-15 3.5 EB. Can someone summarize the issue for this situation, depending on when built? If it helps, I changed oil to full synthetic at 1000 miles but I recall it's about much more than that. I had a '04 5.4 Triton and fear I've bought two semi-lemon engines in a row(??).

Many thanks.

Paul

130428

according to this forum, your truck should self-implode every time you start it.
I dont think it's a really common issue, definitely not the most talked-about thing around here.

log off and go enjoy your truck!

jade97

Never heard of the issue, except from non-Ecoboost owners.

I had a 2011 that I put 99k miles on it until I traded it on a 2016 Explorer Sport (3.5 EB). I only got rid of it because of conditions on my work car program (must be within 4 model years old).

tmcolegr

3.5L GTDI - COLD START - TICKING/TAPPING OR RATTLE TYPE NOISE - BUILT ON OR BEFORE 5/29/2015


ISSUE:

Some 2011-2015 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDI) engine and built on or before 5/29/2015 may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine upon initial start-up that may last for 2-5 seconds after a cold soak of six or more hours.

MUFFMAN

I have 216, 000 kms on my 2012 EB, with no issues.I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

tmcolegr

Agreed !!

We have a fleet of vehicles with (best I can count) 26 3.5L Ecoboost F150s ranging from 2011-2016. None have had this issue.

peahrens

Good news; i.e., the relative rarity of the symptoms. I had read about the issue here (somewhere) and then a golf buddy noted he had the issue with his 3.5 EB (don't know the year) at less than 100k miles. So it was nagging me enough to ask.

Mine was built 06/03/2015 so maybe mine has some related parts improvement implemented in May.

11screw50

One of the big downsides to forums, they can make small, uncommon problems seem like they occur much more frequently than they really do. Forums usually consist of two type of people, enthusiasts and people with problems looking for help (many of whom would not be on a forum if they did not have a problem).

Enjoy your truck. I really do not think there are any wrong choices with the engine lineup Ford has in the F150 right now.

teeko

I have a 2013 and put 270k km on it before my timing went out the requisite 6° to throw the p0016 code. When talking to different dealerships and asking how many they had done, their answer was always the same...lots. I'm not sure when the new parts were incorporated into the builds at the plant.

15king

My 2011 had 167,000 miles on it when I traded it in. Never any problems out of it, however I do maintain well with synthetic oil changes every 7500 miles. My current 15 king ranch has 82000 trouble free miles. Enjoy your truck, if you read forums long enough, you will trade any vehicle you buy in. Forums are great to find solutions to problems, but most of the time do not pertain to 99% of buyers.