Why is the cam phaser rattle bad?

George Banks · Jul 4, 2022

I’ve searched the internet and this forum, but I can’t seem to find a clear answer anywhere. Even Ford offers a different response than what I’ve read online. Why is the cam phaser rattle such a big deal? My 2019 is now making the common noise at cold startup - 36k miles. I called my dealership and they said they could replace the cam phasers if I wanted, but that’s it’s not necessary. He said, “it’s just a noise at startup that has zero impact on the engine or SUV”. So what’s the real story? Is it bad? Is it a sign that they will eventually fail and that’s the issue?

If this was such a problematic issue, I guess I would expect to see more horror stories of catastrophic engine failure. If the service tech is right and this is “just a noise”, I feel like it’s a bigger gamble to have them take apart your whole engine and put it back together with the hope they don’t mess up something else. I’ve read countless stories of people having other issues after the cam phaser repair. I don’t know what to think of it all. What’s your thoughts?

Bmac1955 · Jul 4, 2022

I had them done at 35k. Replaced phasers along with a cam. I had no concerns with the repair procedure being inadequate. Although I purchased a Ford extended warranty good till 125k. I enjoy both aspects. Comfort and peice of mind. If it fails I'm covered for $100. I just hope I am not a 1000 miles from home stranded. That would be bad thing.

duneslider · Jul 5, 2022

I have heard from a couple ford tech's that there is nothing wrong with the rattle, it won't cause any problems long term. It's just a little annoying at start up.

A few people have mentioned getting some CEL's but I think when that happens there is something else going on in addition to the rattle. The rattle itself is only at start up and once there is oil pressure there is nothing else going on, so if a CEL is showing up during driving it is something else. I don't think there is anyway the rattle could cause an error to show up in the computer.

kjtully · Jul 5, 2022

Couple of things: if 'it's just noise' then why is there a fix for it; lack of oil pressure means no oil. In all the years I've owned cars and done my own oil changes there is always the issue of lack of oil on that first start, and the attendant wear on internal parts, until the oil pump fills the new oil filter. No or insufficient oil means metal-on-metal contact and additional wear. Seems the same would be true with the cam phasers - no or insufficient oil means metal-on-metal wear that would result in part degradation that could eventually lead to part failure.

If 'it's just noise' Ford has sure put a lot of money and time in to replace the cam phasers. Doesn't the rattle occur because a pin has broken due to the additional wear of no oil at engine start?

Jettix2 · Jul 5, 2022

I find it really, really hard to believe that Ford is doing all this work on hundreds of thousands of 3.5 motors *for free* just because it’s noisy for 5 seconds when we first start it. There *has* to be long term wear happening without that lubrication. Ours suddenly has started making the cold start noise, threw a CEL, and is having drivability issues. We’ll see if ours is “fixed” when they do the repair in 2 weeks.

Soliyou · Jul 5, 2022

This rattle is basically vibrating the timing chains, camshafts, and valve-train. You definitely don’t want it to be going for a long time.

BMW2FORD · Jul 6, 2022

When the phaser is rattling, it’s slamming it’s internal parts around. If it fails, the engine will immediately fail as well. I’ve seen the updated phasers and just had them done and now they are making a new louder noise more like a lifter on cold and hot start. That happened a day after they were replaced and I’m besides myself. To me, the updates to the phaser is Ford just trying to keep it from coming apart and the most biggest failure from happening. The SW is to try to increase the oil supply to them. It’s clear Ford is kicking the can down the road on us customers with this problem and many others. I sent a video to my dealer of the new noise and and have an appointment and will post back what they find but man this is annoying and my third set of phasers. Many people in this forum mention the 2021’s and later have a different cylinder head with more oil flow. Why doesn’t Ford update our engines to what the 2021’s have? In the long run, that would be less Warranty expense for them and happier loyal customers in the end than 3x or 4x sets if phasers. In my opinion, Sales sells the first car but good service and repairs will sell the next and many more.

mr_dave · Jul 6, 2022

In short, rattling means metal pieces are being slammed into other metal pieces, which causes little tiny metal shavings in the oil, which act as an abrasive and damages other (critical) parts like cams, bearings, cylinder walls, etc.

More info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ8M1aw-5qw

Jettix2 · Jul 6, 2022

BMW2FORD said:
When the phaser is rattling, it’s slamming it’s internal parts around. If it fails, the engine will immediately fail as well. I’ve seen the updated phasers and just had them done and now they are making a new louder noise more like a lifter on cold and hot start. That happened a day after they were replaced and I’m besides myself. To me, the updates to the phaser is Ford just trying to keep it from coming apart and the most biggest failure from happening. The SW is to try to increase the oil supply to them. It’s clear Ford is kicking the can down the road on us customers with this problem and many others. I sent a video to my dealer of the new noise and and have an appointment and will post back what they find but man this is annoying and my third set of phasers. Many people in this forum mention the 2021’s and later have a different cylinder head with more oil flow. Why doesn’t Ford update our engines to what the 2021’s have? In the long run, that would be less Warranty expense for them and happier loyal customers in the end than 3x or 4x sets if phasers. In my opinion, Sales sells the first car but good service and repairs will sell the next and many more.

I'm real interested to read more about this newer design head.......seems like that might be more of a root issue behind the cam phasers failing.

FryerTime · Jul 7, 2022

Jettix2 said:
I'm real interested to read more about this newer design head.......seems like that might be more of a root issue behind the cam phasers failing.

x2, would be nice to know this issue is resolved on newer models.

Why is the cam phaser rattle bad?

George Banks

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