3.5 turbo fluttering with woop woop noise

[2.7EcoBoost]

Look under the hood if this happens to your new truck, a factory worker might not have tighten down a hose.
Don’t ask how I know.

Funny you say that. My truck had an extra clamp hanging loose on the elbow on the passenger turbo. It wasn't even the proper type of clamp and the top and bottom correct clamps were there and tight. So I guess they leave some loose and put extras on others to make up for it?

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[2.7EcoBoost]

This is from a post I made in the 3.5 Hybrid section, but it's going to (likely) be more beneficial in this 3.5 EcoBoost forum.

I got my truck back. Not repaired. The dealer said they worked with Ford hotline and they can absolutely verify my complaint and monitor pids and that basically the relief valve is releasing boost pressure and it's getting "trapped between the CAC and relief valve/intake". I gave them detailed info on the parameters that makes the noise happen and per Ford they road tested a similarly equipped new truck and they can make it make the noise also. Ford advised them to make no further repairs as this is considered a "Normal Characteristic of the truck". In Ford Motor Company speak that means they have no idea why/how to fix this at the moment.

I feel it's a software glitch and the dealer also concluded the same. But the service manager explained to me, people having this issue need to make sure the dealer can verify it so it gets reported to Ford so that a repair is made. I went and took the lead tech on a road test to show him the exact parameters the truck needed to be in to make the noise. Otherwise, dealers simply blow it off as a "no problem found" and it goes nowhere.

In the coming months, probably around July or August, I plan to go up one tire size and I am going to add the Pulsar XT performance module. It plugs into the MAP, Boost sensor and Throttle pedal sensor and basically tricks the PCM into reading a different value thus increasing boost, eliminating throttle lag etc. I believe it will change this noise, or at least the parameters because of the different MAP and Boost readings and if nothing else hopefully make the parameters somewhere else and I don't notice them or have them in my daily driving. I planned on trying the Pulsar anyhow as it has other benefits, but it could possibly fix Ford's incompetence. If it's not resolved by FoMoCo at that point, I'll let you all know if it did fix/change the issue.
BTW, my truck will do this in 7th, 8th and mostly in 9th gear. It is not related to the torque converter strategy IMHO. It's all related to the relief valve strategy and FORD got it WRONG!!

@pbensen has his service manager working with Ford also, so that's at least 2 of us so Ford is aware of it. The squeaky wheel gets oiled boys. Give them heck!!

 

[Evingar]

This is from a post I made in the 3.5 Hybrid section, but it's going to (likely) be more beneficial in this 3.5 EcoBoost forum.

I got my truck back. Not repaired. The dealer said they worked with Ford hotline and they can absolutely verify my complaint and monitor pids and that basically the relief valve is releasing boost pressure and it's getting "trapped between the CAC and relief valve/intake". I gave them detailed info on the parameters that makes the noise happen and per Ford they road tested a similarly equipped new truck and they can make it make the noise also. Ford advised them to make no further repairs as this is considered a "Normal Characteristic of the truck". In Ford Motor Company speak that means they have no idea why/how to fix this at the moment.

I feel it's a software glitch and the dealer also concluded the same. But the service manager explained to me, people having this issue need to make sure the dealer can verify it so it gets reported to Ford so that a repair is made. I went and took the lead tech on a road test to show him the exact parameters the truck needed to be in to make the noise. Otherwise, dealers simply blow it off as a "no problem found" and it goes nowhere.

In the coming months, probably around July or August, I plan to go up one tire size and I am going to add the Pulsar XT performance module. It plugs into the MAP, Boost sensor and Throttle pedal sensor and basically tricks the PCM into reading a different value thus increasing boost, eliminating throttle lag etc. I believe it will change this noise, or at least the parameters because of the different MAP and Boost readings and if nothing else hopefully make the parameters somewhere else and I don't notice them or have them in my daily driving. I planned on trying the Pulsar anyhow as it has other benefits, but it could possibly fix Ford's incompetence. If it's not resolved by FoMoCo at that point, I'll let you all know if it did fix/change the issue.
BTW, my truck will do this in 7th, 8th and mostly in 9th gear. It is not related to the torque converter strategy IMHO. It's all related to the relief valve strategy and FORD got it WRONG!!

@pbensen has his service manager working with Ford also, so that's at least 2 of us so Ford is aware of it. The squeaky wheel gets oiled boys. Give them heck!!

Had a 2013 eco boost and loved it. Wife got in a wreck and so I bought the 2023 powerboost. Have this issue driving up the hill to my home and since I started towing it’ll do it too. For me it’s pretty consistent at about 1800 rpm’s in 8th gear.

Went the rounds with the dealership to finally get them to ride along so I could show them the issue. They replaced the PCM and the turbo but still doing it. They’ve been on the line with Ford and one of the first things Ford wanted was for them to replicate the issue with a 2023 powerboost. They couldn’t get one so they moved on to seal check, corrosion and now they are checking timing. I also have had the aux battery problem others on the forum have had (replaced twice now).

I think the dealership is resigned that they might have to lemon out the truck. Thing is this last time I dropped it off they gave me a loaner 2025 powerboost. Driving it up the hill it did the same thing briefly.

If Ford is telling your dealer that it’s within normal operating parameters and to let it be, do I not say anything and see if they lemon my truck and then figure out what to do or tell them and keep my current truck? The fluttering can’t be good for the turbo long term and my truck has the battery problem as well. I like the interior and exterior styling of the 23 better than the 24-25.

Thoughts?

 

[2.7EcoBoost]

Well, growing frustrated by this noise, I actually wanted to try a little self diagnosis on the truck. I did the vent to atmosphere mod. The aluminum plug cost $10 on ebay and took 5 minutes to remove the tube from the pressure relief valve and insert the plug into the tube. I did this on Sunday, but really haven't driven the truck much. Yesterday I took the truck up the hill where I made the video. I could only get the truck to briefly do it. There was no noise (since it's venting into atmosphere and not the intake) but I did have the tach jumping for a few seconds. I could not feel the truck surging like previously. Had it came from the factory like this, i likely would have never noticed it.

The Pulsar XT i spoke of, is actually arriving today. I will be pulling my travel trailer this weekend, so I'm not installing the Pulsar until after so I have a before/after to compare.

I think the problem is multi faceted or amplified by multiple factors. Either the software is off or, more likely, the PCM is getting a reading that's slightly off on some of our trucks, but still within a normal range. Thus causing the PCM to tell the relief valve to open/close/open/close/open etc.. this constant on/off cycle adds pulses of air to the intake (which is why I believe i get the surging) and it creates the noise in harmony with the flutter. My removing the vent tube and eliminating the noise and surging would seem to validate that theory. It's a bandaid and surely Ford could update the software calibration to keep this from happening?? The Pulsar tricks the PCM into thinking it sees a different reading from the MAP and T-MAP sensors, and increases boost, kinda how i theorized above that the PCM is doing what it is programmed to do for the inputs it's getting. I would love for a dealer to try to change the MAP to see if it solves it and if not then the T-MAP. The other issue is the turbo relief valve is low quality so that doesn't help.

I love this truck, so I'm Hell bent on getting this ironed out on my own since Ford is incompetent. I can't tell you what you should do. It's really a personal decision which route you go. I'll update this with my findings and conclusions if I can actually reach any....??

 

[jjs f150]

Did anybody get this fixed? I have a post on another forum that seems very similar to this thread. I'll attach a YouTube video.

I have the same issue with my new 2024. Was wondering if you found a fix. Thank you.

 

[2.7EcoBoost]

No I have not. I did the vent mod which greatly reduced it and made it liveable. I installed the Pulsar XT module and it gave the truck more power etc, but didn't change anything otherwise. My dealer assures me that Ford is aware of this issue and they feel a software update is in the works. Is it? Time will tell. My truck surges pretty bad when it's cold. If I run it in Sport mode it doesn't. So I'm in agreement with the dealer that is terrible software calibration. If I wasn't under warranty I would have did an actual PCM tune like 5Star or similar. I love how this 3.5 runs, but I miss the smoth, quiet operation of my 2.7 EB. Shame on Ford for not doing better.

 

[Escape Hatch]

Try installing new turbo inlet pipes?

 

[Escape Hatch]

No I have not. I did the vent mod which greatly reduced it and made it liveable. I installed the Pulsar XT module and it gave the truck more power etc, but didn't change anything otherwise. My dealer assures me that Ford is aware of this issue and they feel a software update is in the works. Is it? Time will tell. My truck surges pretty bad when it's cold. If I run it in Sport mode it doesn't. So I'm in agreement with the dealer that is terrible software calibration. If I wasn't under warranty I would have did an actual PCM tune like 5Star or similar. I love how this 3.5 runs, but I miss the smoth, quiet operation of my 2.7 EB. Shame on Ford for not doing better.

I disagree this is a software issue as I have never experienced this. If this was a software issue I would think everyone would be experiencing it.

 

[Waterguy]

I have a 2021 f150 3.5 Lariat with 23k miles.

I started hearing a high pitched woop woop noise and then started watching my turbo gauge. At around 25% turbo usually up a hill or under load the gage starts to bounce around and I get the woop woop noise.


Any idea what this might be? Is it normal?.

 

[Billflangjr]

Did anybody get this fixed? I have a post on another forum that seems very similar to this thread. I'll attach a YouTube video.

I would have that looked at ! I have 3-3.5s and never had that before ? Let us know !!

 

[Dadofjax]

I would have that looked at ! I have 3-3.5s and never had that before ? Let us know !!

Mine still does it but only during acceleration. I think I just got used to it and didn't notice it anymore until I had some notification from this post. Heard it a lot after that!

 

[2.7EcoBoost]

Mine still does it but only during acceleration. I think I just got used to it and didn't notice it anymore until I had some notification from this post. Heard it a lot after that!

I've driven another 2024 and a 2025 and they both did it for me. Not as loud as my video, but it was there. Definitely needs addressed by FoMoCo.

 

[InTheSticks]

I would have that looked at ! I have 3-3.5s and never had that before ? Let us know !!

Mine does that , 22 F150 3.5 Lariat, if I let off it immediatly stops doing that and generally can get back in it and it wont do it. If you have the turbo gauge on you can see it fluttering up/down. its annoying and when I had it in the dealer said they could not reproduce, it doesnt happen all the time, mostly when towing something heavier or drag (enclosed trailer).

Would be interested if someone knew what the fix is, as you expect the truck is out of warranty now, but has done this since day 1.

 

[jjs f150]

Has anyone found a fix for the whooping noice or a way to decrease the noise?

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

I don’t care what Ford says this shit ain’t normal.

I have a 24, almost a year and a half old, 20 K miles. I’ve never experienced this with mine.

If this were so-called normal, according to Ford, there’d be a hell of a lot more people with this issue

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