Loud, diesel-like rattle sound on cold start - cam phasers?

[alrashid2]

Hey guys. Just hit 2,000 miles on my 2026 XLT with the 2.7L V6. Truck had been parked at work for 8.5 hours. When I went out and started it, I heard a terrible rattling for the first 3 or so seconds, then it went away. Sounded just like a diesel! I shut her off, and tried restarting her a few times but couldn't replicate it.

Started googling and asking AI and after watching some comparison videos, it sounds like a cam phaser rattle, but I don't see that being an issue on the most recent 2.7Ls?

Got home and parked the truck for 3 hours. Went out to try and replicate, recording a video beforehand. It did it again. Video below.



This has me nervous... Going to try and schedule a dealership visit on Fri. Just wanted to get everyone's take here first. Thanks.

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[alrashid2]

I've watched a few videos on the Bronco and F150 forums - 99% sure this is the cam phasers

God, this Ford has had more issues in the first 2 months than my Subaru did in 12 years...

 

[emjay24l]

It does sound like cam phasers or something in the rotating assembly has an issue. The 2.7L Ecoboost is a solid engine with a good track record for over ten years. The 2nd gen 2.7L engine has been very good overall.

 

[alrashid2]

It does sound like cam phasers or something in the rotating assembly has an issue. The 2.7L Ecoboost is a solid engine with a good track record for over ten years. The 2nd gen 2.7L engine has been very good overall.

I thought so too guess we'll see what the dealer says

 

[AMGRAPTOR]

This sounds like cam phasers 100 percent to me. Sorry you're having to deal with this.

 

[alrashid2]

Dropped off at dealership this morning. They said they want to wait to diagnose until tomorrow so it sits for a while. I did let them know it only needs to sit 3-7 hours to happen but they insisted. Said they'd call tomorrow and put me in a loaner.

Fingers crossed

 

[BradleyC]

I read that there is a way to start ford trucks to build oil pressure/oil everything before they actually start, like when you change the oil, etc. You turn it on accessory then hold the gas pedal down till it starts, and it is supposed to turn over longer period of time before it actually starts. I haven't tried this, but it could be a way to protect everything by doing this before you actually start it after it has been sitting for prolonged periods of time.

 

[alrashid2]

I read that there is a way to start ford trucks to build oil pressure/oil everything before they actually start, like when you change the oil, etc. You turn it on accessory then hold the gas pedal down till it starts, and it is supposed to turn over longer period of time before it actually starts. I haven't tried this, but it could be a way to protect everything by doing this before you actually start it after it has been sitting for prolonged periods of time.

I believe that would work but it shouldn't be necessary on a brand new truck that has only sat for a few hours...

 

[Jason B]

I believe that would work but it shouldn't be necessary on a brand new truck that has only sat for a few hours...

Agreed. That's just a work around. Sounds like bad Cam Phasers, covered under warranty.
FYI, at 25K miles, mine never sounded like that. Let them fix it.

 

[alrashid2]

Yup, after finding around a dozen videos online of bad cam phasers I am sure that is what it is. Only other thing I found was a post about someone saying it was the cam phaser "solenoid" which may be an easier repair?

Either way, really sucks... had a road trip planned this weekend and another in 2 weeks... we'll see how long this takes.

 

[BradleyC]

I agree it shouldn't be necessary to do this, but might consider after oil changes, or after several days of not starting it.

 

[chasc]

I read that there is a way to start ford trucks to build oil pressure/oil everything before they actually start, like when you change the oil, etc. You turn it on accessory then hold the gas pedal down till it starts, and it is supposed to turn over longer period of time before it actually starts. I haven't tried this, but it could be a way to protect everything by doing this before you actually start it after it has been sitting for prolonged periods of time.

It’s slightly different than that: You hold the brake and gas pedals all the way down while you press and hold the start button (or turn and hold key) for as long as you want it to crank (usually 1-2 seconds). When you let off the button or key it should stop cranking without starting the engine. Then you can follow up by starting the engine normally.

 

[emjay24l]

It’s slightly different than that: You hold the brake and gas pedals all the way down while you press and hold the start button (or turn and hold key) for as long as you want it to crank (usually 1-2 seconds). When you let off the button or key it should stop cranking without starting the engine. Then you can follow up by starting the engine normally.

This is a feature that has been in most vehicles since fuel injection became common. Its original intent was to be able to clear out a flooded engine.

 

[STEVE_K]

It's been a while since I have looked into how the cam-phasers work, but sounds very similar to when timing belt/chain tensioners are wearing out or the vehicle has been sitting for a long time. My Subaru will do the same for a few seconds if it has been sitting for a few weeks or longer. But yeah, shouldn't be happening on a new vehicle that has only been sitting a few hours. Probably a good call on the dealer to wait overnight to be able to reproduce easily.

 

[WhatV8]

I am wondering if it is a phaser circuit solenoid vs the actual phaser. I don't know anything about how the phasers are actuated, other than they are oil pressure regulated with the solenoids. One suspected failure could be caused by a leaking solenoid seal allowing the circuit to bleed down over time while off and it taking a second or two to repressurize on restart?

Will be interesting to see what the dealership finds and repairs. I have ~2500 miles on my '26 2.7L and no sounds like that so far.

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