2 years in: Care and feeding of turbos? (2018 F-150 CCSB tow pig)

[NatersXJ6]

I could hear it inside my house when my wife started the truck in the morning. We are in Central Cali, so “cold start” was still over 80 degrees F, but had been sitting 12+ hours. It sounded like crushing rocks for about 4-6 seconds and then wouldn’t repeat until the next cold start. My wife didn’t notice it.

I didn’t keep the receipt, but there were at least 2 pages of listed parts replaced.

We also have the intermittent waste gate linkage rattle, but once I figured out what that was, I became unconcerned about it.

 

[ITTOG]

Is the cam phaser rattling pretty noticeable? I haven't noticed anything on cold starts on the truck at all.

Very noticeable. Even people that know nothing about cars understands it is an issue.

 

[Dezertpilot]

I just found out the Turbos are cooled by the engine coolant on the 3.5 Raptors, I'd imagine it's the same on yours as well.

 

[Dougnuts]

Yeah I have that issue and the TSB hasn't done anything yet. My rattle is just as bad after the so called "fix". They did say it may take up to 2,000 miles of driving though. I am no where near that yet. Hopefully it works because it sounds like the truck is going to fall apart for a few seconds every time it starts. Cold starts are even worse.

The 21B10 field service action is a firmware change to help keep the rattle from happening to begin with, but it will not make the rattle go away. Once damage is done, it's time to take it in and have the phasers replaced. TSB# is 20-2191

It sounds to me like you need a new dealership. The TSB includes replacing a huge number of parts. How could those parts just start working after 2000 miles? I was surprised and impressed by the local dealer. I told my wife to mention the noise at an oil change, she had all the research, the printed TSB, and was ready to argue, but as soon as she said startup noise they said “no problem, that is a known issue and we are ordering the parts, we will call to schedule once they arrive”. A week later and it went in for 3 days of work.

I agree with the new dealer recommendation. The field service action 21B10 is firmware only, with a follow-up field service action procedure (21N08) if the first one causes an engine shudder. But, if the phasers have already failed, then the TSB 20-2191 needs to be performed.

Very noticeable. Even people that know nothing about cars understands it is an issue.

Yep, it sounds like you need the cam phasers replaced then. My 2018 does not have a start up noise at all, but does have a pretty loud knocking from the timing cover (worse on the passenger side) at idle, which I'm guessing is the timing chain tensioner. I am trying to get my truck in for the firmware, but after 3 attempts to make contact with my dealer (2 voicemails and 1 chat), I've not received a call back.

I just found out the Turbos are cooled by the engine coolant on the 3.5 Raptors, I'd imagine it's the same on yours as well.

Yep.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

I just found out the Turbos are cooled by the engine coolant on the 3.5 Raptors, I'd imagine it's the same on yours as well.

All Ecoboost have water cooled turbos...lol. They water continues to circulate after the motor shuts off.

 

[Dezertpilot]

All Ecoboost have water cooled turbos...lol. They water continues to circulate after the motor shuts off.

Originally I thought they were oil cooled, then heard air cooled then found out they were actually coolant cooled. That's interesting.