Cam Phaser and Cat Conv Replaced

[dan2jen]

purchased a 2018 exp max xlt w/ 140k miles on it in Mid Feb 2022. Got a good deal because of the high mileage and the car looked to be in pristine condition. Quickly found out it has the cam phaser issue and had check engine light on and was told that the cat converter needed to be replaced. Local ford place (Abilene, TX) quoted me just over $5k (including labor) for the cam phaser Repair and $1900 for the cat conv (parts only, no labor). I was advised to shop it around because any place that does the repair *should* use the Ford OEM parts, so cost would be about the same but labor rates would probably be half of what ford was charging. So I got several recommendations to a good local shop and they are able to fix cam phasers AND the cat converter (custom fabricated, instead of OEM replacement part) for $4500 (parts AND labor). Just dropped it off today and should have it back in a couple days. I’m crossing my fingers the repair is successful and that not going thru Ford doesn’t screw me Later. Just sharing this in case in others might be in a similar situation. I’ll try to update once repairs are done. Oh… and they are also going to try and do the Ford TSB SSM47713 for the mirror clicking as well.

 

[maxlim2022]

ouch! hefty start to ownership. I hope things are definitively addressed during the repairs. Please keep us appraised

 

[Soliyou]

purchased a 2018 exp max xlt w/ 140k miles on it in Mid Feb 2022. Got a good deal because of the high mileage and the car looked to be in pristine condition. Quickly found out it has the cam phaser issue and had check engine light on and was told that the cat converter needed to be replaced. Local ford place (Abilene, TX) quoted me just over $5k (including labor) for the cam phaser Repair and $1900 for the cat conv (parts only, no labor). I was advised to shop it around because any place that does the repair *should* use the Ford OEM parts,

Thanks for posting. one question, At this mileage, I am interested to know if you had experienced any drivability issues with the camphasers rattling. Was the check engine light also related to cams? Or just the cat??

Ford claims that the rattle has no effect on reliability, but we are not sure about this!

 

[dan2jen]

Thanks for posting. one question, At this mileage, I am interested to know if you had experienced any drivability issues with the camphasers rattling. Was the check engine light also related to cams? Or just the cat??

Ford claims that the rattle has no effect on reliability, but we are not sure about this!

Obviously, I’ve only had it a few weeks, but it seems to drive fine. I hear a bad rattle for 1-2 seconds at start up (worst on first start of the day), but is almost not noticeable when driving. Originally my check engine light was related to cam phaser issue (according to ford) and they cleared it when they gave me the estimate for repair. Then about a week later it came back on and I had them read the code to make sure it wasn’t something else and that’s when i was told it was for the cat converter. The shop I ended up taking it to said they agreed that cam phasers and cat needed replaced.

 

[dan2jen]

ouch! hefty start to ownership. I hope things are definitively addressed during the repairs. Please keep us appraised

Yeah, we paid just over $30k for it and the next cheapest I could find (locally) was at least $40k-45k and up. So even with $5k of repairs, I’m still $5-10k less than the next cheapest one and whose to say those won’t have the exact same issue. The joys of buying a used vehicle!

 

[maxlim2022]

Yeah, we paid just over $30k for it and the next cheapest I could find (locally) was at least $40k-45k and up. So even with $5k of repairs, I’m still $5-10k less than the next cheapest one and whose to say those won’t have the exact same issue. The joys of buying a used vehicle!

i hear you! Well, if this is the only major headache, then you are indeed ahead despite the costs.

 

[Shaggy]

I thought cam phasers where a recall issue, so bo matter the mileage, they were covered. No I'm not 100% sure but my 2018 Raptor has over 55k miles and I'm getting them replaced without being charged for it.

 

[Bmac1955]

I believe there is a mileage warranty. After exceeding the mileage set by ford you are on your own.

 

[AJ82]

I believe it was a "customer satisfaction" thing and not officially a recall as it isn't safety related. There are mileage limits like Bmac stated.

 

[blue_roster_cult]

I have 130k+ on my 2018. Fortunately, the cams have been repaired under warranty. My engine light graces us with its presence from time to time and according to the Ford App, it is emmissions related. I was *hoping* it was a simple o2 sensor repair. I can’t understand why the entire converter would need replaced at 140k. Interesting to know what could be on the horizon. Thanks for the heads up.