Goodmorning, I have a 2013 3.5L eco that’s currently sitting at 199,266 miles. Strong truck, don’t plan on getting rid of it anytime soon. Drive it every day, I had the cam phasers done with all femco ford parts about 30,000-35,000 miles ago. What indicated to me the cam phasers needed to be done was the timing chain slap on the inside of the timing cover aswell as a cam code. After an experienced mechanic who is used to doing cam phasers on all types of fords engines with variable timing. He mentioned to me I should change more oil more frequently due to oil sludge build up. Shortly after the timing chain slap noise can back, i started to pay more attention to maintaining the motor and attempting to clean it out, Marvel mystery oil in the fuel tank every two tanks, seafoam in the crank case, two engine flushes and 30,000 miles later I still have the problem, I remedy it with flood starting the motor on cold starts sometimes 1-4 cycles depending on severity using trail an error as the days go on. Under the impression that this builds up oil pressure for the timing chain tensioner to actuate and prevent the slap noise. This normally remedy’s the immediate problem and abuse that’s going to in the timing cover. Any input out there? Is there something that I’m missing. My next step is to use archoil but not sure if this is going to help me in anyway. I cant imagine it’s the cam phasers again Because I havent gotten a code again but I know they don’t have the best reputation. Thank you.

 

I almost wonder if a piece of sludge is blocking an oil passage

 

im wondering the same, you’d think two engine flushes would of broke it down by now. After each oil change I’ll typically start it up on the first crank cycle and determine how many flood starts I do next time based on if the slap is present.