2021 Powerboost Cam Phaser Rattle on startup

[Ms1118]

I just bought a used 2021 with ~48k miles on it. Everything was great for a few days, but for the past week I have noticed what sounds exactly like the cam phaser issue of the earlier models. Happens only on a cold start, lasts for 1-3 seconds or so. If the truck has been off for at least a couple of hours it will do it. Always does it after sitting overnight. Doesn't sound like any of the other rattles (waste gate / shutters).

I have a cross country move planned Friday (it is Tuesday now). I am going to take it in to the dealer now, as this should be covered by warranty, but does any one have any experience on how long this should take? Assuming it is cam phasers, if it isn't able to be completed by Friday, is this something I should be concerned about for the trip, or is it ok to deal with after the move?

Thanks.

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[Ms1118]

I'm also curious if anyone else in this 14th gen has experienced this, or if I am just the lucky one.

 

[Scoobtay]

Here’s my limited understanding on it for now, I’m sure someone more knowledge will chime in with more color soon.

- Ford considers this an NVH issue only, doesn’t cause excessive wear or reliability issues
- it’s a 2-3 day fix turnaround generally per perusing prior-gen forums on this issue
- Some folks just DONT fix this, and have no issues

So basically, your trip will be fine, and you can get it fixed when it’s more convenient

 

[NiftyF150]

I don't have anything useful to say other than you are only the 2nd or maybe 3rd person I've heard of with a 14th gen truck having cam phaser issues. Even updated parts fail sometimes.

 

[Ms1118]

I should have also added one more detail / question. The dealer did an oil change and I’ve probably put around 500 mi on it. I checked the oil level yesterday, which was fine, maybe a little high. But it very noticeably smelled of gasoline. Like without me putting my nose to it, I noticed the smell. Is that normal? I have seen various opinions in other forums about this.

 

[My 2ND Ford]

I should have also added one more detail / question. The dealer did an oil change and I’ve probably put around 500 mi on it. I checked the oil level yesterday, which was fine, maybe a little high. But it very noticeably smelled of gasoline. Like without me putting my nose to it, I noticed the smell. Is that normal? I have seen various opinions in other forums about this.

You should never smell gas in your oil. Not normal. This would also be why your oil level is a bit high . You should contact your dealer soon as the gas will dilute your oil and cause problems.

 

[Ricksc]

I had this issue on my 2017 everyone I took it in they never heard it. I told them have a tech take it home and then they heard it got it covered. It was like 4 times taking it in before I told them have a tech take it home. I even recorded it but still wouldn’t do anything until tech heard it

 

[Ms1118]

So they did hear it and said it is cam phasers and will replace. But I am concerned there is an underlying problem with gas in the oil that maybe caused the phasers to fail. Justified?

 

[Ricksc]

Yes once the tech took it home the next morning he heard it. Fixed it. The gas is a concern, at least if the hear the cam issue it starts the process and they can dig deeper. Once they have the truck you can express more concerns such as gas in the oil.

 

[Ricksc]

Have the dealer do a compression check. Bad rings would cause gas in oil

 

[Ms1118]

Oh I meant the shop heard them today for me. It was doing it if the car sat for 2 hours or so. So they are replacing under warranty and on the look out for the potential gas issue.

 

[Ricksc]

Hopefully you have a good dealership that will dig deep. Good luck

 

[Snakebitten]

Short tripping a 3.5 Ecoboost can absolutely add fuel to the oil. And if it never gets an opportunity to get good and hot, it never gets to burn that fuel off.

And as rare as it might be for phaser rattle with the latest phaser design, I'm absolutely convinced that fuel dilution can be a major contributor to the wear on that phaser pin/hole.

Or put another way, it's NOT surprising that a Powerboost with phaser rattle is also a Powerboost with fuel in the oil.

 

[Ricksc]

That’s good info. Will drive my new truck on a nice drive weekly. Just got a 2022 3.5. Hopefully that will help

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