Occasional lurker/first time poster here.
I have a 2015 Ford F150 with the 2nd Gen 5.0L Coyote V8. I bought it about a year ago with 92,500 miles on the clock. Currently sitting at 101,300. I've been active on the F-150 forum for a while now and have heard various things about timing component issues, engine noise, and oil. The 5.0 doesn't have as many cam phaser and timing chain issues as the 3.5 Ecoboost, but it can have problems, usually with the VCT solenoids or the phasers themselves. I'm interested in getting this thing to last as long as possible without having to dig into the front end.
I notice a slight rattle/clack noise when the engine is warming up and it's idling at about 1,000 rpms, or when I'm feathering the pedal between 1,000 and 1,500 rpms. Especially when I'm driving slowly at about 1,500 rpms and then let off the pedal. It's not very loud, but is audible inside the cab if the radio and HVAC fan are off. It only occurs when the engine is warming up. Upon initial cold start, it takes about 30 seconds to a minute of idling before I hear the noise, and it goes away once the engine is fully warmed up. My best guess is the noise is coming from the phasers, but I suppose it could be the chains. I've had a couple people tell me this noise is "normal" for this engine and is nothing to be concerned about. But in my mind, noise=wear, and although it might take a while, I'm guessing something is going to wear out eventually.
I tow a travel trailer a good bit, so the engine sees a lot of time pulling moderately hard between 2,250 and 4,000 rpms.
The truck has had 5,000 mile oil changes since it was new, as evidenced by dealership service records. I'm currently running Castrol Edge 5W-20. Prior to that I ran a couple of changes with Valvoline's extended drain full syn product (also 5W-20). I don't know what oil was in the truck when I got it, but knowing that it was serviced at the dealer, I might guess that it was Motorcraft blend 5W-20, which is what the manual specifies. I haven't noticed any difference in the noise across those oils. Interestingly, I ran premium gas during one towing trip and noticed that the rattle was a bit louder and more persistent (i.e., took longer in the warm up cycle to go away). It went back to its usual level when I went back to 87 octane gas.
A lot of folks on the F-150 forum run xW-30 or xW-40 oils in this engine because they believe that the 5W-20 spec was instituted just to meet CAFE standards, and that the heavier weight oils will protect better. However, I heard one (apparently knowledgeable) guy say that decel rattle is caused by the oil not being able to drain out of the phasers fast enough when the ECM commands them to a retarded position. If that's true, it seems like heavier oil would exacerbate the problem.
I also heard one fellow say that he runs either Pennzoil Ultra Platinum or Quaker State full synthetic because those are the "best" oils for the phasers. This was stated as if it were a self-evident fact, with no rationale why these are "best."
So I'm hoping there are some oil-savvy Coyote drivers on this forum who might be able to clear some of this up for me. I'm looking for some evidence and a logical rationale. Thanks in advance.
I have a 2015 Ford F150 with the 2nd Gen 5.0L Coyote V8. I bought it about a year ago with 92,500 miles on the clock. Currently sitting at 101,300. I've been active on the F-150 forum for a while now and have heard various things about timing component issues, engine noise, and oil. The 5.0 doesn't have as many cam phaser and timing chain issues as the 3.5 Ecoboost, but it can have problems, usually with the VCT solenoids or the phasers themselves. I'm interested in getting this thing to last as long as possible without having to dig into the front end.
I notice a slight rattle/clack noise when the engine is warming up and it's idling at about 1,000 rpms, or when I'm feathering the pedal between 1,000 and 1,500 rpms. Especially when I'm driving slowly at about 1,500 rpms and then let off the pedal. It's not very loud, but is audible inside the cab if the radio and HVAC fan are off. It only occurs when the engine is warming up. Upon initial cold start, it takes about 30 seconds to a minute of idling before I hear the noise, and it goes away once the engine is fully warmed up. My best guess is the noise is coming from the phasers, but I suppose it could be the chains. I've had a couple people tell me this noise is "normal" for this engine and is nothing to be concerned about. But in my mind, noise=wear, and although it might take a while, I'm guessing something is going to wear out eventually.
I tow a travel trailer a good bit, so the engine sees a lot of time pulling moderately hard between 2,250 and 4,000 rpms.
The truck has had 5,000 mile oil changes since it was new, as evidenced by dealership service records. I'm currently running Castrol Edge 5W-20. Prior to that I ran a couple of changes with Valvoline's extended drain full syn product (also 5W-20). I don't know what oil was in the truck when I got it, but knowing that it was serviced at the dealer, I might guess that it was Motorcraft blend 5W-20, which is what the manual specifies. I haven't noticed any difference in the noise across those oils. Interestingly, I ran premium gas during one towing trip and noticed that the rattle was a bit louder and more persistent (i.e., took longer in the warm up cycle to go away). It went back to its usual level when I went back to 87 octane gas.
A lot of folks on the F-150 forum run xW-30 or xW-40 oils in this engine because they believe that the 5W-20 spec was instituted just to meet CAFE standards, and that the heavier weight oils will protect better. However, I heard one (apparently knowledgeable) guy say that decel rattle is caused by the oil not being able to drain out of the phasers fast enough when the ECM commands them to a retarded position. If that's true, it seems like heavier oil would exacerbate the problem.
I also heard one fellow say that he runs either Pennzoil Ultra Platinum or Quaker State full synthetic because those are the "best" oils for the phasers. This was stated as if it were a self-evident fact, with no rationale why these are "best."
So I'm hoping there are some oil-savvy Coyote drivers on this forum who might be able to clear some of this up for me. I'm looking for some evidence and a logical rationale. Thanks in advance.
