Cam phaser dilemma

[mikemxbike4]

What's up guys. I've purchased my 2019 Raptor with 60k miles a couple of weeks ago. Well... I have no idea how I missed it on the test drive, but it appears that my new truck has the infamous cam phaser rattle on cold startup (mild valvetrain rattle, no severe knocking like some videos). The truck also has a fairly mild knock at fully warmed up idle. Runs very good otherwise.

Here is the dilemma. I have purchased a 3rd party warranty, which is good for 4 years/ 48k miles. I am considering the following options:

Option 1: Continue driving it as long as the cold start rattle and hot idle knock do not get significantly worse. Bring it in to dealer for cam phaser job if it does (while still under warranty).

Option 2: Continue driving it as regardless whether or not rattle and/or knock get worse. Bring it in to dealer once noises are severe, or a serious engine failure occurs (while still under warranty). This may result in very significant repairs, but not much difference to me, as 3rd party warranty should cover it.

Option 3: Bring it in to the dealer for cam phaser job now, and hope that whoever works on my truck does not F up the job and leave me with more issues than what I started with (no driveability issues currently whatsoever).

Option 4: Tackle the cam phaser job in the near future myself. I am very mechanically inclined (ex motorcycle mechanic), but I understand that this job is no easy task to do yourself either way.

What do you guys think? I am prsonally leaning towards option 1 currently.

PS: I am in Phoenix area, if anyone has any solid shops for stuff like cam phasers. My warranty is 3rd party, so I can bring it into mom and pop's shops instead of a dealer, and still be covered.

 

[sbradle4]

Take it to the dealer. Unfortunately they are good at it because they have done it a lot. I had same happen to me last May. Bought 2019 with 59k miles. No issue on test drive, two days later, cam phasers. Luckily I was in the factory powertrain warranty by 400 miles

 

[mikemxbike4]

Take it to the dealer. Unfortunately they are good at it because they have done it a lot. I had same happen to me last May. Bought 2019 with 59k miles. No issue on test drive, two days later, cam phasers. Luckily I was in the factory powertrain warranty by 400 miles

The reason I'm hesitant to bring it to the dealer is because it seems that the cam phaser job done right is more or less of a loterry. There seems to be countless stories of folks leaving with more issues after a cam phaser job than they had to start with.

I wonder if there are 10's or 100's of thousands of 3.5 Ecoboosts out there driving around with a cam phaser ratlle for 10's of thousands of miles without owners even knowing/ paying attention to any engine noises.

 

[sbradle4]

The reason I'm hesitant to bring it to the dealer is because it seems that the cam phaser job done right is more or less of a loterry. There seems to be countless stories of folks leaving with more issues after a cam phaser job than they had to start with.

I wonder if there are 10's or 100's of thousands of 3.5 Ecoboosts out there driving around with a cam phaser ratlle for 10's of thousands of miles without owners even knowing/ paying attention to any engine noises.

No idea. I guess I am a successful cam phaser swap story. Just find a dealer with a reputable service dept. there are tutorials on how to do it yourself; but unless you have rebuilt engine components before, it’s not for the faint of heart

 

[mikemxbike4]

No idea. I guess I am a successful cam phaser swap story. Just find a dealer with a reputable service dept. there are tutorials on how to do it yourself; but unless you have rebuilt engine components before, it’s not for the faint of heart

Well, there is a chance that if I go with Option 1, the truck will go past the warrany period before the rattle gets worse. If that is the case, I would absolutely try to tackle the job myself. I am an ex certified motorcycle mechanic myself, so I've done a whole bunch of complete engine teardowns (bikes, mind you).

 

[Nex]

Bingo card @smurfslayer

You only hear from angry people in online reviews. Take it to the dealer, let them fix it, move on with your life.

I am a former mechanic as well. This isn't a simple valve adjustment on a Ducati. Take the truck to the dealer. Then move on with your life.

 

[mikemxbike4]

Some additional info/ideas:

I'm planning on keeping this truck for 4 years or so. My 3rd party warranty is good for 4 years/48k miles. So if the phasers don't get worse/ cause driveability issues over that time period, I could bring it in for a phaser replacement right towards the warranty expiring, and then trade it in right after.

 

[Oldfart]

Find a GOOD dealer service department and take it in. There are good dealer techs out there. I'm lucky to have one local to me.

 

[mikemxbike4]

Find a GOOD dealer service department and take it in. There are good dealer techs out there. I'm lucky to have one local to me.

That's the thing. I have yet to hear of a solid one in Phoenix area.

 

[Oldfart]

That's the thing. I have yet to hear of a solid one in Phoenix area.

I'm surprised with a big area with a lot of money that Phoenix is that you wouldn't have several good ones. That sucks. I'm pretty spoiled, I have a good service department 15 minutes from my house. They will even give me a ride back home if they don't have a loaner for me, which they usually do.