2012 Expy rough idle and some rattling

[gappbrown]

I need some help. I have a 2012 I bought new and now has 155k. I've changed the oil religiously every 3-5k.

A couple weeks ago I disconnected the battery to install felt rings to limit battery deposits. At that time I noticed some smoke and a burning smell. The car wouldn't start. After a few minutes it started and everything went back to normal.

Shortly after my wife started to complain of a rattling noise. I test drove it but didn't notice anything. She said it sounds like a freight train.

Yesterday I noticed a rough idle and some rattling. The rattling is not consistant. At speed nothing is detectable. There are no codes or engine lights showing.

I have spent a lot of time on YouTube and the forums and it seems to be one of 3 things (VCT solenoids, Complete timing job, or something to do with the computer reseting after the battery disconnect).

I plan on disconnecting the electrical connection to the solenoids and seeing if it goes away. If it does does that mean its the solenoid?

Also...if it is the phasers or tensioners...shouldnt I have heard some rattling before?

 

[Adieu]

Dirty throttle body

Battery disconnect unlearned your settings. Could be worse, you could start stalling at lights or during shifts to reverse.

Just take it off and clean it on both sides.

COULD be something else too, but the coinciding with battery removal or discharge thing is usually mostly about the throttle body and the throttle getting unlearned.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I need some help. I have a 2012 I bought new and now has 155k. I've changed the oil religiously every 3-5k.

A couple weeks ago I disconnected the battery to install felt rings to limit battery deposits. At that time I noticed some smoke and a burning smell. The car wouldn't start. After a few minutes it started and everything went back to normal.

Shortly after my wife started to complain of a rattling noise. I test drove it but didn't notice anything. She said it sounds like a freight train.

Yesterday I noticed a rough idle and some rattling. The rattling is not consistant. At speed nothing is detectable. There are no codes or engine lights showing.

I have spent a lot of time on YouTube and the forums and it seems to be one of 3 things (VCT solenoids, Complete timing job, or something to do with the computer reseting after the battery disconnect).

I plan on disconnecting the electrical connection to the solenoids and seeing if it goes away. If it does does that mean its the solenoid?

Also...if it is the phasers or tensioners...shouldnt I have heard some rattling before?

Where did you see the smoke?

It sounds as though you shorted something electrical when you removed and replaced the battery terminal cable connectors.

 

[gappbrown]

The smoke was from round the battery. Had that smell when a battery gets too hot.

I have seen the throttle body answer on another post. Will try that.

 

[Motorcity muscle]

Since everything was fine before messing with cables, I would check out battery cables and the terminal ends. If battery is off gassing a lot of fumes and causing corrosion would replace battery, exspecially with the no start.

 

[Goofy173]

If you had the battery disconnected for more than 5 minutes, it had to relearn how to run. Something seems wrong though that you had smoke and a burnt smell when reconnecting the battery. That shouldn't happen when disconnecting/connecting a battery. You might get a spark when removing or installing the last cable, but no smoke or smell. Sounds like you gave something a good zap and hopefully you didn't burn up something. Seems almost likely though.

If no codes, then if you can ignore it, ignore it. If you get loud clicking under the valve covers, then get it in for new cam followers within 5k miles.

more stuff: Even though no engine lights, did you check deep for codes? Not with a cheap code reader but something like forscan that can see codes that don't give a service light. Or maybe your wife had a service light and it turned off. Mine does that for P0150 Oxygen sensor.

Check MPG. Is it any worse? Find the rattling. From the front of the heads where the phasers are?

At 155k, start saving for the eventual full top and front motor replacement at $4-6k if you plan to keep it past 200k.

 

[gappbrown]

I purchased a complete Ford EOM timing kit, Melling Oil Pump and Water Pump. I also bought 24 Roller Followers and all the gaskets needed. Is there anything else I will need?

I noticed you said a full top replacement. Is there anything you would recommend other than the roller followers?

 

[chakakan]

I purchased a complete Ford EOM timing kit, Melling Oil Pump and Water Pump. I also bought 24 Roller Followers and all the gaskets needed. Is there anything else I will need?

I noticed you said a full top replacement. Is there anything you would recommend other than the roller followers?

Let me know how it goes. I have a 5.4L 3V with 144k and I'm considering doing the same thing.

 

[Goofy173]

Phasers and Cams for sure.

 

[gappbrown]

So you would replace the cams even if they don't show significant wear?