Cam phaser rattle
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Seems to me that this is an issue that should be an ongoing re-call; the cam phasers they are replacing are faulty. The cam phasers they are replacing the faulty cam phasers with are the same so they too are faulty. In conclusion, the cam phasers of F150's only last about 8% of the trucks useful life. So be prepared to spend $2500.00 every 25k miles on average. If you can live with that, Ford F150 is for you. If not, you might want to look at different make.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 8,731
Likes: 4,800
Seems to me that this is an issue that should be an ongoing re-call; the cam phasers they are replacing are faulty. The cam phasers they are replacing the faulty cam phasers with are the same so they too are faulty. In conclusion, the cam phasers of F150's only last about 8% of the trucks useful life. So be prepared to spend $2500.00 every 25k miles on average. If you can live with that, Ford F150 is for you. If not, you might want to look at different make.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 599
Likes: 92
From: Indy
Not exactly same motor but my gen 1 3.5 had rattle fixed with my extended warranty which was supposed to be the final fix from posts I read here. 4 years later rattle is back. Just saying whatever fix you get don't be surprised if it doesn't stay quiet.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 220
Likes: 77
I just dropped off my 2018 yesterday to have the phasers changed at 38k miles. It started rattling at 35k miles. I asked for part numbers on the new phasers, and he said that will be on the ticket when I get my truck back. I'm hoping to compare & confirm that they are updated.
A month ago they installed the new program. It felt more responsive for some reason, and still rattled on cold starts obviously. I don't know if this was related to the new program, but the valve train became "chattery" when the engine was warm at idle, and while coasting at low rpm. Seems like the noise was in the front at about the cam chain / phaser area. It is like a lighter phaser tapping sound.
I was hoping to run with this truck for at least 10 years, but I refuse to replace cam phasers as a maintenance item before the spark plugs!
A month ago they installed the new program. It felt more responsive for some reason, and still rattled on cold starts obviously. I don't know if this was related to the new program, but the valve train became "chattery" when the engine was warm at idle, and while coasting at low rpm. Seems like the noise was in the front at about the cam chain / phaser area. It is like a lighter phaser tapping sound.
I was hoping to run with this truck for at least 10 years, but I refuse to replace cam phasers as a maintenance item before the spark plugs!
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
So my 2018 has the cold start rattle, other than a little noise, it doesn't bother me. My question is around the real meaning of that rattle. Is it something that is going to decrease the life of the motor, killing it before expected? Is this a repair (seems like it costs ~$2500) at some internal, say every 30k miles? Do some 3.5s have it and others don't? Is there a performance loss that happens because of this phaser rattle?
I'd love to get this truck where I want and drive it for years, but I don't want to invest in a time bomb. thoughts?
I'd love to get this truck where I want and drive it for years, but I don't want to invest in a time bomb. thoughts?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 408
Likes: 202
From: Grand Junction, Co.
My truck goes in on 2/1/22 for the IWE repair and to check the cold start occasional noise. I'm guessing it does it about 30% of the time. I was told that it could just be the waste gate rattling until it warms up (3-5 seconds). He also told me that occasional noise when cold and starting is probably the waste gate. But, since I have a 100k extended warranty, they will check the phasers while it's in.