2018 HELP!!! COLD START NOISE

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

OP
OP
K

Kandice

Member
Joined
May 3, 2022
Posts
5
Reaction score
0
Location
Corpus christi tx
Thank you! I spoke with the dealership this morning and told them the software update does not take place of the cam phaser replacement and it is still covered to replace it. They let me know I'll have to pay for it to go through diagnostics and "then IF that's even what is the problem" it's on back order and can't tell me when it'll be available.
 

NukeLife

Full Access Members
Joined
Nov 2, 2019
Posts
288
Reaction score
262
Location
Charlotte
Thank you! I spoke with the dealership this morning and told them the software update does not take place of the cam phaser replacement and it is still covered to replace it. They let me know I'll have to pay for it to go through diagnostics and "then IF that's even what is the problem" it's on back order and can't tell me when it'll be available.
First off, there is no IF.

I am all too familiar with that sound. One (or more—there are four of them) of your VCT gears (commonly called “cam phasers”) has a broken pin. Point blank. End of discussion. It’s an internal pin that is supposed to briefly lock the two halves of the VCT gear together during cold starts until oil pressure is built up sufficiently.
When the pin breaks, the two halves of the VCT slap back and forth, creating that knocking sound, for a couple seconds, until oil pressure in the top of the engine builds up to normal pressure.

Secondly, the ONLY way to fix this is for them to replace the broken part. In other words they have to pull the front cover off the engine and replace your cam gears. This is what folks commonly call the “cam phaser replacement” job.

The PCM re-programming “fix” is just a bandaid that Ford attempted to prevent having to do more costly cam phaser replacements. It may help PREVENT or MINIMIZE abnormal wear on those pins inside the VCT gears. But once the engine sounds like yours, the damage is done. The pin is broken and the only way to make that noise go away is to replace the VCT gear.

Do not let them talk you off of this!
Once they realize you are armed with enough knowledge to call BS, they will capitulate.

And after they have performed the cam phaser job, my recommendation unfortunately is to sell it. There is a strong possibility that the oil flow problem at the top/front of your engine is going to cause the same problem in another 20,000 -30,000 miles. Even with their PCM reprogramming bandaid.
 
Joined
Apr 25, 2022
Posts
19
Reaction score
4
Location
Houston, Texas
I too have a 2019 F150 3.5 ecoboost. My truck is in the shop for the third prolonged period (sitting at JUST under 60k miles). I've have the cam phasers repaired twice. Currently, I'm told the "valve cover is leaking" and I need a high pressure gasket, high pressure fuel pump o-ring, and a manifold gasket... all covered under warranty. Fortunately, my dealer put me in a loaner for all 3 repairs, of which I'm on day 42. (BTW, I'm in a brand new Bronco Sport and I believe it's a POS... don't recommend it.)

I'm also looking to trade in the truck in the pretty immediate future.
 
OP
OP
K

Kandice

Member
Joined
May 3, 2022
Posts
5
Reaction score
0
Location
Corpus christi tx
Thank you all for all this info! Today is finally the day I've been waiting for a week now. I am dropping it off tonight so they can run diagnostics on it in the morning. I'm praying they agree that this is the problem and that they can get the parts quickly. The way they made it seem is that I don't know what I'm talking about and that the parts are so far back on back order that I may be stuck for months and months. I'm trying to trade it in, but don't think that's possible until this is fixed.
 

Gumby

Full Access Members
Joined
Jun 5, 2019
Posts
496
Reaction score
235
Location
Beaumont, Alberta
Thank you all for all this info! Today is finally the day I've been waiting for a week now. I am dropping it off tonight so they can run diagnostics on it in the morning. I'm praying they agree that this is the problem and that they can get the parts quickly. The way they made it seem is that I don't know what I'm talking about and that the parts are so far back on back order that I may be stuck for months and months. I'm trying to trade it in, but don't think that's possible until this is fixed.
I have been waiting on phaser parts going into week 3 now....
 

JAMADOR

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 7, 2022
Posts
129
Reaction score
31
Location
Spring, TX
Glad I found this & thanks to @AJ82 for the PDF.
Just called my salesman & am having them check our 2018 that we just bought for these CSPs.
We just bought on Monday & it's at the dealer now for some finish work that wasn't done pre-dellivery.
 

JAMADOR

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 7, 2022
Posts
129
Reaction score
31
Location
Spring, TX
Glad I found this & thanks to @AJ82 for the PDF.
Just called my salesman & am having them check our 2018 that we just bought for these CSPs.
We just bought on Monday & it's at the dealer now for some finish work that wasn't done pre-dellivery.
Update: They did the reflash & no improvement. They're going to order the CP parts & schedule a time to bring it back in for R&R.
Upside, I guess they hadn't run it through the shop prior to putting it on the lot, so they're replacing shocks, brakes, wipers, air & cabin filters. Should pick it back up today & I can get out of the stripped, droning purple ashtray they gave me for a loaner.
 

armoredsaint

Full Access Members
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
303
Reaction score
142
Location
Ohio
i had the software update and it was quiet for a month, now it rattles, i am in line for a CP replacement
 

DWs-TTEB

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 19, 2020
Posts
729
Reaction score
429
Location
Evans, GA
FINALLY got my ride back this evening! Statement of work below. I got 4 of the newly designed cam phasers. The technician was amazing (Got the work done in 2 days)! He said he has never seen an EXP jump timing (after installing a new set) due to the phasers falling. Also, he said he has seen F150s/Expeditions come back in for cam phaser replacements after installing the newly designed ones. Prime those motors & build the oil pressure before starting these rigs, Ladies & Gents! I wonder if my 5-Star tune had anything to do with this. At the time of failure, I was running the 94-octane Performance tune. I paid nothing out of pocket. I had just put in a new battery in April 2022 & Ford Service said it was dead (after it sat on their lot for 5 wks). They replaced it free of charge. I called at lunchtime today to ask the tech to put in a new water pump, I was there an hour earlier and saw the engine torn down & later I thought, hey while he is there I'll pay for a new water pump, but he had already put it all back together! I reloaded my 5-Star 93-octane performance tune when I got home and took it for a drive. So far so good! SUPER happy to have my EXPY back!!

1663379540441.png
1663379566814.png
 
Last edited:
Top