Does this sound "normal"?

[EAD]

My '22 2.3L Bronco(I know) started making this noise during cold starts(video attached). I brought it into the dealer and they said the noise is considered "normal" and told me Ford is aware of the issue and published a response code : SSM 51465. I have read alot about the cam phaser issues but Ford is saying those are exclusive to the 2.7L engines. I bought the car in July of "23 used with 21K on it. I'm up to 36,500 and out of the bumper to bumper warranty. I love this vehicle and would prefer to keep it but I don't know what to do. The noise goes away with in a minute or 2 of driving it. So my options are ignore it and rely on the 60K powertrain warranty, add an extended warranty or cut my losses and buy a new car. Would welcome everyone's thoughts.

I am retired now but after working on motorcycles for 45+ years and working on OHC engines it sounds like cam chain noise, lots of them rattle a little when cold. On a bike engine most, tensioners were easy to get to and we could a lot of times just tape it, and it would click in a notch and noise was gone. As the service manager / mechanic I hated to have to tell the customer that mechanical noise was usually not covered by warranty. We also have a Jeep JL 3.6 that has a rattle when you first start it on a cold morning, and it has less that 40,00 miles. Personally, I wish they would go back to a push rod engine. I would have bought a Bronco with a 302 or 351w even if it had cost more over this turbo crap.

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[thesocalexplorer]

I just fired it up again. I think its coming lower in the engine.

Another thought comes to mind. Maybe the prior owner was running an exhaust and didn't bolt the stock one back up tight enough. This second video brings back memories of when my old car's catback exhaust got loose at its flange. Enough to make noise on cold start but "seals up" once the pipes warm up.

 

[93_SVT_3503]

That sounds more internal than external. Exhaust rattles usually don't mimic the engine speed like that.

 

[Severum17]

How cold is your cold? Living in Illinois, every vehicle I have owned sometimes makes strange noises when its below 0 or so. Usually goes away in a few minutes after is warms up. If it makes noise on a warm day, I would look into it.

 

[Rdaly101]

It was 33F this morning and then 42F when I made the 2nd video.

 

[ejaffe]

After hearing the second video I still think one of these may be rattling around. These heat shields are located at the front near where you are suggesting the noise is coming from.

 

[JadeMyWorld]

It was 30 degree in my area today. I didn’t hear this noise from a cold start after work. Next week will be below 10 degree, will hear more.

 

[arwhite]

Every time I start mine up it sounds like "let's go; whatchoo waiting on? let's go. hubba hubba hubba"

Mine ain't never sounded like yours.

 

[CitrusBronco]

My 2.3 auto does not sounds like that. Something is wrong.
Pop the hood and remote start, see if you can narrow it down some.
That’s just terrible, take it back to the dealer explain why this is not the cam phaser issue and ask for a tech to meet you out front to listen.
If they refuse or still have their head up their butt still go to another dealer.

 

[Owl]

Well, if Ford says it is "normal"... I'd spend a grand or two get an extended 100,000 mile Ford warranty. Give you a bit of peace-of-mind.

I assume that would be possible at this point. Probably a lot cheaper (at least here in CA) than trading for something else and having to pay the tax on it.

Here in CA... I'd have to pay around 4-5k in taxes to trade in something.

 

[Severum17]

It was 33F this morning and then 42F when I made the 2nd video.

My experience is that 35 or 40 isnt cold enough to make the bad noises. Must be something else.

 

[Gtrekker]

It was 30 degree in my area today. I didn’t hear this noise from a cold start after work. Next week will be below 10 degree, will hear more.

Do you do your own oil changes, what oil / Wt are you using?

 

[Hdscreens]

I like the idea of a loose bolt as someone suggested or if recent oil change not sure it requires plate or small plate cover to access any oil related drain plug or filter.

Do the turbos have wastegates? I know on the 3.5l those turbo wastegates are notorious for rattling during cold days. Noticed my Braptor has had very small rattling on first few feet of acceleration after cold starting.

 

[TXBronco1313]

Phasers only on the 2.7. This sound does not sound normal though

 

[JadeMyWorld]

Do you do your own oil changes, what oil / Wt are you using?

I had the dealership changed oil at 2500 miles. They used Motercraft full synthetic 5W-30.

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