I have a 2016 Ford F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost engine. It’s been having trouble starting in the morning, and it’s even worse when it’s on an incline. The battery is new, the alternator seems good, and the truck has around 80,000 miles. Anyone have thoughts on what might be causing this?
Sounds like it could be cam phasers going bad. Have you heard anything about that?
Whit said:
Sounds like it could be cam phasers going bad. Have you heard anything about that?
Yeah, cam phasers are usually the culprit. Expect a hefty bill for repairs, especially if you’re in an area with a high cost of living. Could run you around $6k.
@Wade
That’s rough. I’ve had the cold start rattle on my 2011 truck for 3 years now. It starts rough on cold mornings or after it hasn’t been driven for a few days. It clears up after one rough start cycle. It’s annoying, but it hasn’t gotten worse. I’ve heard it could damage the timing chain over time, but it’s not super common for that to happen. For the older trucks, the timing could get really messed up, but for mine, it’s just the noise. I stick to regular oil changes, and it seems fine. But, definitely do your own research before making any decisions.
@Whit
Yeah, over time the cold start rattle can mess with the timing chain. The biggest issue is that it sends metal pieces into your oil lines, which could clog them up. It makes your engine run hotter, which can eventually lead to bigger issues. I ignored mine for too long and ended up blowing my engine. I had to pay $14k for a new motor after it threw a main bearing. Trust me, you don’t want to let it go too long.
@Wade
Oh no, that’s a scary situation. My truck could definitely have this issue, but since it’s a 2011 model, I think the phaser problem might not be as big a deal as on later models. Did your truck have the dual timing chain? Also, since I’ve only had this cold start rattle when parked uphill or during really cold mornings, do you think the timing chain could be at risk? I’m not sure I have the funds for such a big repair. If I need the cam phasers done, would I need to replace the chain as well? I’m wondering if it’s worth keeping the truck or selling it before it gets worse.
@Whit
I had the 2013 model (first gen). The 2015+ models have the same issue, but Ford was offering repairs under warranty for those trucks. I’m not sure how long the warranty lasted, though. For the newer trucks, it’s less likely to cause major engine damage, but if you’ve had the rattle for a while, it’s best not to ignore it. If your truck had the fix done, the cold start rattle wouldn’t happen. I let mine go for 3-4 years before it really got bad. If you go ahead with the repair, have the shop check your turbos too, since they share oil lines with the timing chain. A good shop should flush all your oil lines during the repair, but make sure they do. I spent $6k on the phaser fix and water pump, but my oil lines weren’t flushed, and 8 months later my truck went boom. Had to pay $14k for a new engine at a different shop.
@Wade
I’ve been through this, and I can confirm it. I let the rattle go for 2 years without any codes popping up. But eventually, my truck started showing signs of overheating at highway speeds. A few weeks later, I had severe engine chatter, and the check engine light came on. I ended up paying $4600 to get a new engine. So, it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.