Hey everyone! I’ve seen a lot of videos on this forum about the 3.5EB engine and it seems like I hear the same noise across them all. I’m seeing mixed opinions on whether it’s cam phasers or wastegate actuators causing the cold start noise in my 2019 3.5EB. Any advice on what could be causing it?
Sounds normal to me, man. If it’s cam phasers, it will sound like a hammer tapping an anvil. Wastegate actuators will have a heat shield rattle sound, but even that’s not a huge issue unless you get a low boost code. If that happens, you’ll know you need new turbos.
@Charlie
I agree with this guy. It’s not the phasers.
@Charlie
Thanks for the reassurance… I was about to schedule an appointment at the dealer because it’s been on my mind.
Paxton said:
@Charlie
Thanks for the reassurance… I was about to schedule an appointment at the dealer because it’s been on my mind.
I’ll add this too: cam phaser rattle won’t cause your engine to randomly fail like the old 5.4 Tritons. You can keep driving on it for a while. My old Explorer had phaser rattle at 130k km, and I drove it until 195k km. If you’re low on cash, it’s fine for now. But when the rattle gets worse, or if you get a code for ‘camshaft bank over retarded,’ then you need to fix it immediately. Otherwise, you’ll damage the cams, and it’ll become a much more expensive repair.
@Charlie
Agreed. I had to replace my engine. Luckily, it was under extended warranty, so it didn’t hurt too much.
Jordan said:
@Charlie
Agreed. I had to replace my engine. Luckily, it was under extended warranty, so it didn’t hurt too much.
What’s it like driving with a new engine? Is it different or better?
@Bliss
Much better. Now I just need to fix the transmission—it’s already slipping and noisy at startup. Once that’s done, I’ll have a new truck.
Jordan said:
@Bliss
Much better. Now I just need to fix the transmission—it’s already slipping and noisy at startup. Once that’s done, I’ll have a new truck.
Nice, I have to do the same.
I don’t hear anything from this video other than a normal 3.5 startup.
This sounds like a totally normal startup to me.
What exactly are you hearing?
Sounds like the waste gates. Spring fix works wonders.
Voss said:
Sounds like the waste gates. Spring fix works wonders.
I’m thinking about doing that. The rattle is driving me crazy.
Voss said:
Sounds like the waste gates. Spring fix works wonders.
I’m thinking about doing that. The rattle is driving me crazy.
It was driving me nuts too. So nice to have it gone.
Go to the fender well, remote start it, and touch a wastegate rod. I can’t hear it very well in the video (my Dell’s speakers aren’t helping), but this is definitely NOT cam phaser rattle.
Sounds normal, maybe waste gate rattle, but it’s hard to tell listening on the phone.
What oil are you running?
Presley said:
What oil are you running?
5w30 PUP.
Miahoff Lifters.