Well, my truck finally had to spend some time in the hospital....
I have a 2012 with the 5.0L with 104,000 kms on the clock (64,000 miles). So brought it in for routine ESP maintenance, oil change, etc., and to check the so called engine knock. Once in a while, it did have a slight noise, but in the last few months in certain conditions, I could hear the knock from 15’ away. Engine was still running great, but figured no harm in checking. Got a call a few days later claiming the engine was toast.
Apparently, the mechanic started to diagnose the low end knock, but before he could complete his testing, the whole thing went kaputt. Oil pressure issues, no compression in a couple holes. On further inspection, the Engine had a spun cam bearing (no idea how long that was there). Broke the small timing chain (cam to cam), a few valves tagged the piston. Didn’t believe it was my truck, but after looking at the dismantled engine, how could I argue. Still not sure how all this came about, since I drove it there running as good as ever. So we’ll never know about the low end knock. He did have some ideas, but that was all thrown out the window.

Needless to say, after a 2 month wait, I now have a new long block 5.0 purring away under the hood. (hah, even the valve covers are new). No questions asked, all covered under warranty. It just took a while for the new engine to arrive from Ford. It did take 2 months to complete, but the dealer kept me informed and was very good through the whole ordeal. I am a little disappointed (and surprised) that the engine failed with such low miles, especially since all service work was done by the book at the dealer. Thank god for warranty though, without it, a guy would have been hooped. Also would be nice to know how this happened, but I guess why worry about it. With the millions of 5.0's out there, I hope this was a rare occurrence and this one will last like it should.
Engine definitely sounds different, starts different, can't even tell it's idling except by the tach.
Anyways, so far so good. The truck is in great shape, and with this new engine, makes it even better.

 

Did they give you a loaner? Or at a minimum make two payments on it? lmao

 

What are payments?? As for the loaner, for sure. First one was a brand new Escape titanium that I used for a couple weeks, Then asked for a truck and gave me a new loaded up 17 Lariat with the 3.5 Eco. Used that till mine was done. Good long term test drive if I ever decided to trade. Definitely was a nice truck, but waayyyy too many useless gadgets, I have no use for a glass roof.. The 3.5 had nice power. Didn't drive any quieter or better than mine. Call me crazy, but overall I prefer my 12. (maybe the $74,000 MSRP had something to do with that).

 

Sounds to me like they forgot to put oil in it during the oil change and then covered their tracks. Luckily you have warranty. I am a very cynical person and this sounds very suspicious to me.

 

Very suspicious. I know many small anoying things go wrong but not enough to destroy a engine by themselves individually. Agreed that it must be human error, either when manufactured or service.

 

I agree; the whole episode sounds suspicious. You took the truck in for service and the timing chain broke in front of the mechanics eyes. Really? What are the chances of a catastrophic engine failure in the service bay? And what could/would lead to a spun crankshaft bearing on one bank, other than a dry crankcase?

 

I read that the 5.0 was a non-interference engine. Something sounds strange to me too.