Cold starts rattle (not the phasers)

[Ford204]

That does sound similar! Does the tapping go away when the cold start sequence ends?

Yes, after a bit the engine idles down and the noise stops. I am taking the video to the dealer today. I just hit 1200 miles. The first payment is not even due yet.

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[Sekhemempet]

Yes, after a bit the engine idles down and the noise stops. I am taking the video to the dealer today. I just hit 1200 miles. The first payment is not even due yet.

Good luck! I have an appointment to take mine in next week at a different dealers to get a 2nd opinion. Let me know how it goes for you

 

[Ford204]

Good luck! I have an appointment to take mine in next week at a different dealers to get a 2nd opinion. Let me know how it goes for you

I can not get mine in until January 31st. Let me know what you find out as well. Thanks

 

[MIkeyB_]

I have a 2021 F-150 with the 5.0. It is making the same sound on cold starts. I believe it is coming from the flywheel area. Sounds like something hitting the dust cover for the flywheel/ front of transmission.

I have the same noise from my 2021 F-150 XLT with 5.0. I believe it is coming from the flywheel area. I turned the truck off and tapped on the dust cover for the transmission/flywheel with a small metal flash light and it sounded similar.

Hi, did you ever get this sorted? I have a very similar cold rattle, super loud like yours. Trying to figure out if it's turbo wastegate / catalytic converter or something else, it sounds just like this. Thanks!!

 

[Sekhemempet]

Hi, did you ever get this sorted? I have a very similar cold rattle, super loud like yours. Trying to figure out if it's turbo wastegate / catalytic converter or something else, it sounds just like this. Thanks!!

I wish I had good news for you. I took it to two separate dealers with the rattle. Both of them told me the rattle was the wastegate and that it was normal. I still have my doubts about it, but at this point, unless I want to take it to an independent shop to get an unbiased 3rd opinion (and pay out of pocket), I'm not sure what else to do.
A couple questions I still have about it... 1, If it really is normal why does the right turbo rattle but the left doesn't? (Unless the left one is just quiet and drowned out by the right one). And 2, why does it rattle on the tremor but not any other trims? I've heard this rattle on other tremors but never on any other trim level.

If you do get yours looked at, let me know how it goes. Maybe if enough of us complain about it, they'll fix it?

 

[MIkeyB_]

I wish I had good news for you. I took it to two separate dealers with the rattle. Both of them told me the rattle was the wastegate and that it was normal. I still have my doubts about it, but at this point, unless I want to take it to an independent shop to get an unbiased 3rd opinion (and pay out of pocket), I'm not sure what else to do.
A couple questions I still have about it... 1, If it really is normal why does the right turbo rattle but the left doesn't? (Unless the left one is just quiet and drowned out by the right one). And 2, why does it rattle on the tremor but not any other trims? I've heard this rattle on other tremors but never on any other trim level.

If you do get yours looked at, let me know how it goes. Maybe if enough of us complain about it, they'll fix it?

I will keep you posted for sure! Do you get some rattle when accelerating from a stop for a little bit also? seems to stop after everything is up to operating temperature.

 

[Sekhemempet]

I will keep you posted for sure! Do you get some rattle when accelerating from a stop for a little bit also? seems to stop after everything is up to operating temperature.

Before the cold start sequence ends, it'll rattle when I hit the gas a bit. But if I push it past about 2500 RPM, it'll stop until it gets back to low RPM. Once it's warmed up, after about a minute and a half, I don't hear it until it's cooled off again.

 

[MNSportsman]

My 2022 Tremor makes the exact same cold start sound - Just started hearing it again since the temps dropped. Are any others with the 3.5 (non-PB / non-Tremor) hearing this?

If Tremor specific, wondering if maybe it has something to do with the dual exhaust? If so, you would think 3.5 BAP trucks would have the same issue.

 

[9663mu]

Ok so mine does this too. Not a tremor but 22 3.5 Eco. I think it’s the water coming out of the muffler. ( small resonator is it ?) when I get under truck I honestly think/hear it’s the little hole that’s bringing out moisture and air making that noise. Offcourse I’m no expert.

 

[Sekhemempet]

So here's what I understand so far regarding all of this. (disclaimer, I'm not a mechanic, but I do know how to turn a wrench or two. If there are mechanics that want to correct me, please feel free!)
On a cold start, I understand the waste gates will fully open so the exhaust gases can warm up the cats as fast as possible. While the waste gates are fully open, they sit kinda loose inside the turbo housing in order to pivot and seat properly when opening and closing. When the cold start sequence ends and the RPMs drop to roughly 750, the waste gates will close and operate normally. That rattle we are hearing is from the fully open waste gate rattling inside the turbo housing.

I've also heard something about the waste gate operating rod (external of the housing) will rattle and people have adjusted the rod or added a spring to hold tension on the rod. When I heard this, I went to test the idea with mine. On a cold start, I was able to put pressure on the rod (not easy to get to, btw) and it didn't seem to be rattling at all, but the regular loud rattle was still present, no matter what I did with the rod. So in my case, I've ruled that idea out.

Here's a video I found from a Ford Tech explaining a waste gate rattle in an older turbo compared to a new one. If you skip to roughly the 5:00 mark, he'll show you how even on a new turbo, the waste gate will rattle. This helped me sleep at night regarding the whole issue, but I still worry about it eventually causing problems as it wears out. Which we all know will happen right after the warrantee expires!

 

[Molson]

I know this is an old thread but my ‘22 3.5 EB Tremor does the same thing. About to cross 23k miles and it’s no better or worse. 3 dealers have also told given me the wastegate speech…so…probably normal?

 

[HANCOCK]

Had the same problem on my 2019 F150 3.5 eco boost waste gate ..I went to three different. dealers they Said the same thing.Normal . But funny thing my transit van 2016 With the same engine .When I had it never had that issue or I didn't hear it

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I know this is an old thread but my ‘22 3.5 EB Tremor does the same thing. About to cross 23k miles and it’s no better or worse. 3 dealers have also told given me the wastegate speech…so…probably normal?

Hello, Matt! Send us a private message with your VIN and the name and location of your local Ford dealer. I’d be happy to see what I can do to assist with this concern. Thanks!

 

[Snakebitten]

Well that solves that!
Matt has nothing to be concerned with now.

 

[ScottyT]

This is an old thread, however, I just bought a 2021 Ford power boost with the 3.5 obviously and once it is started on the cold mornings it makes the same rattle and its loud. Are there any updates on if its normal or fixable? Thanks for your help.

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