2018 Expedition Engine Knocking?

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bwhite8889

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80,000 miles on an Expedition we bought a few months ago.

Already had VCT work done to address startup knocking. This new knocking is worse than what I was hearing before the VCT. Already verified it’s not the wastegate actuator arm.

I always fill up with 87 octane but last night I added octane booster and it immediately quieted down. This morning the knocking came back. Is it because these engines need 91 octane and mine is still burning through the 87 even with the booster? Also bear in mind that the engine is still “re-learning” timing since the front end of it was off for the VCT work. Not sure if that’s part of the issue. See link below for before/after octane booster videos.

 

JExpedition07

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I have never seen a video access through iCloud like that on a forum lol, interesting. I dunno that does not sound good. I am leaning toward they screwed up something during the phaser job. I would take it back with this video.
 

SyndicateZ

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Sounds horrible. They f'd something up for sure. I had somewhat of a similar sound as that the next morning after my phasers were replaced. I turned off the engine and restarted and sounded normal again and never sounded like it again. Almost like the timing chain or whatever became off track but corrected itself somehow by itself.

If there is one thing that I have learned about expeditions its that they make random weird noices and when you bring it up with Ford they say its a normal sound. I wont be surprised you bring that thing back to the dealer and they listen to that and they say its a normal sound and if there are no check engine lights they wont look into it.... good luck
 
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bwhite8889

bwhite8889

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Well the fact that it stops with octane booster is reassuring. I also just learned that they recommend octane 91 on these engines. I’ve always used 87.

I just added about a quarter thank of 93 (the other 3/4 is 87) and so far so good.

If it doesn’t come back again I’m inclined to just write it off as a one off. Well, two off since it came back in the morning but I’m guessing that’s because the octane booster was working somewhat intermittently?
 

SyndicateZ

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Well the fact that it stops with octane booster is reassuring. I also just learned that they recommend octane 91 on these engines. I’ve always used 87.

I just added about a quarter thank of 93 (the other 3/4 is 87) and so far so good.

If it doesn’t come back again I’m inclined to just write it off as a one off. Well, two off since it came back in the morning but I’m guessing that’s because the octane booster was working somewhat intermittently?
You shouldnt need to have to use 91 or 93 to make that sound go away. Per Ford, these vehicles were "designed" for 87 and if the engine sounds bad something's mechanically wrong
 
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bwhite8889

bwhite8889

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Appreciate the feedback. Taking it to Ford tomorrow and will provide an update on what I learn.
 

Soliyou

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Yeah, that rattle is from the timing gear. It sounds like not enough oil pressure going to the phasers or bad phaser. Check your oil level and head back to the dealer.
 

2018ExpyPlatinum

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I can't even spell mechanic, but that isn't right. Sounds like a diesel. Tell them if that's "normal", go out and find ANY 3.5 on their lot and listen to it to compare.
 
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