Engine noise question

[aggiegrad05]

2026 Tremor here...about 500 miles on the odo.

When I picked up the truck it made a lovely grumble at start, idle, and under load. On about day 3 I laid into the accelerator to pass and I got a much different noise (in addition to the grumble)...it's not a rattle but rather a harsher, mechanical noise, almost a clicking/ticking (no, it is not turbo whine/whoosh, I know what that sounds like). When I start the truck i get a ticking that seems to keep pace with a belt I can see (not the fan belt, maybe an accessory belt?), and it speeds up when I am driving...that is the noise. I almost wonder if its a sticker that got stuck to the belt and is hitting something as it goes around. It changes speeed with the RPMs (slower noise when at idle, faster when I am on the gas on the freeway). It does seem to go away or at least reduce when the engine is very warm.

If it was there from the get-go I would assume it was just a normal noise. (I had the 3.5 ecoboost for the last 8 years in my 2018 platinum, but this is the HO version and the Termor has less sound insulation than the platinum, so I would have chalked it up to just a different set up.) But the fact it wasn't there when I picked it up is what worries me.

The engine runs fine otherwise, no oil pressure issues, no harshness at idle or otherwise, certianly no check engine lights. Everything seems a-ok except for the noise.

Any ideas? Sticker stuck to the belt? A clip that came loose and is hitting something? Normal Tremor engine noise I need to get over?

I have a 600 mile roadtrip this weekend and won't be able to get it in beforehand.

 

[billb1000]

Hope your trip went well.
The noise could be either an exhaust leak, a faulty lifter, or other valve train issues. In any case, since you can hear it while you are driving, it is definitely not normal and should be diagnosed and resolved as soon as possible.
Please keep us posted.
Best

 

[Expensedition]

I just passed 500 miles on my 26 Tremor, no odd noises, not the best gas mileage but that might be my fault.

I purposely waited a year to make sure most of the bugs were fixed in this generation of Expedition before I bought one.

Please update this post if you find something out.

V/r

SM

 

[aggiegrad05]

Will do. This doesn’t act like a lifter or exhaust leak. It’s a rhythmic tick present at idle (more noticeable cold...and no, it is not the normal ecoboost wastegate rattle and certainly not the cam phasers), speeds up proportionally with RPM/load, and drops off immediately at full throttle lift. That pattern is much more consistent with an accessory drive issue (belt, idler, or tensioner) than anything internal. Noise appeared early (~100 miles), has been stable for ~1,100 miles including a long highway trip; everything runs great otherwise. I have an appt scheduled at the dealer on 2/16 (first day they had a loaner available) and will report back.

Cool side note: my dealer sent me a link to do a "pre-interview" that allows me to describe the problem and upload photos or videos; that goes to the techs and allows them to pre-order parts if warranted. I thought that was neat.

 

[Expensedition]

Thanks Aggiegrad05,

The Expedition Tremor is no doubt a perfect Texas "mid-sized" ride.

The note about the pre-interview for the Ford Tech knowledge base is excellent and also makes me feel better that Ford may be keeping up with the Quality that I have been used to over the last 45 years.

Interesting note about the serpentine belt and drive roller noise. I had a fix for this on my 2014. Let me look up some photos and I will post the evolution here.

V/r

SM