I firmly believe it is a computer issue and not actually overheating. Each time I've observed it, I was watching the engine temp guage and as soo as I let up on the gas the temp dropped very quickly, like 3 to 4 seconds returned to normal. I've found if I keep my speed under 60 on the steep pulls and no higher than 4th gear, I've had no issues. Any faster or higher gear and it trips the warning. The warning I get doesn't say to stop it just says reduce speed, which is why I think it's a programming safety. Never a lack of power though, still pulls like a train.
Overheating ecoboost
- Thread starter coolzzy
- Start date
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I have same overheating problems with steep grade towing at ambient temperature above 90F. I live in Arizona and all the Gen2 Ecoboost whether F150 or Expedition have same overheating problems. From all those I have talked with the fix is a combination of larger intercooler, added transmission cooler while keeping stock heat exchanger, and larger radiator. No, one things fixed the whole cooling system is undersized when towing steep grades at high ambient temperature. I agree with others that doing the fixes on a new vehicle that was miss engineered is crazy.
JasonH
Full Access Members
I suspect this issue may be related to too much boost and not enough gear. My travel trailer is 7K, but I have not towed over large grades for a long period of time, so I have not personally experienced this issue. I've noticed that my 2017 EL will boost instead of downshifting. With the turbos, these engines can generate a lot of power at low RPM. Perhaps the water pump is not being run hard enough at low RPM to circulate the coolant adequately. In addition, running the turbos hard for a long period of time will likely cause heat soak, hence the intercooler upgrade potentially helping with the issue. I suggest running the torque app and checking the inlet air temperature while towing on grades to see if temperature increases over time.
What are the EcoBoosts running for a cooling fan? Are they the twin electric fans like the 2010-14 5.4 V8s? It seems the big electric clutch driven fan on the 07-09 grabs more air when the ECM commands clutch lockup. My 2007 Expedition EL has the 5.4 Triton/ 6R75 with HD Towing Package and I’ve never had high temps towing uphill (granted my boat and trailer are about 4,000 pounds and aerodynamic so the truck isn’t taxed) but when the ECM commands electric clutch lockup the fan cools everything down fast. The later twin electric fans on the 5.4 seem to cool better at low speed but it seems the earlier electric clutch cools better under way.
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99WhiteC5Coupe
Full Access Members
Some of the posters talk of the EcoBoost overheating while towing, but do not state if their vehicle has the HD tow package (or the base tow package such as on the XLT models).
My 2015 Expedition Limited 4x4 came standard with the factory HD tow package, although I do not tow with it.
For those of you with the overheating issue - do you have the factory HD tow package (with no aftermarket tuning)?
My 2015 Expedition Limited 4x4 came standard with the factory HD tow package, although I do not tow with it.
For those of you with the overheating issue - do you have the factory HD tow package (with no aftermarket tuning)?
I have the HD tow package on my 17 ecoboost, 3.73 gears, bigger radiator and transmission cooler. More than likely this "nanny" warning is a result of too much boost as speculated earlier. The F150s with max tow package experience the same issue. Drop a gear or two to reduce boost and you'll be fine. If you get a 5 star tow haul tune, it actually takes this into account and will downshift sooner and use the motor more to keep the turbos cool unless you are really stepping on it while towing.
3tonsoffun
Full Access Members
Sounds like you need a 170 tstat upgrade. I never see over 190 coolant temps on my 2016 EL HD tow. It definitely keeps the engine cooler. I run a 5 star 93 perf (daily) and have a 93 perf tow also
I have been experiencing the same overheating issue with my 2016 EL Limited with the HD Tow (larger transmission cooler and 3.73 rears). Mine is not chipped. Standard size tires. My transmission never goes over 210. I watch temps with my torque pro app, in conjunction with the gauges (or lack there of.)
We were coming back from Northern Utah the other day with my family (6 of us and a dog) and my travel trailer which weighs slightly over 5k loaded. We went over Sardine canyon from Logan and the engine temps started creeping up to 244. It was 85 degrees. When going downhill it did cool off quite quickly, down to 230 then 220. When I got back down to the valley (which is pretty flat), it was getting into the 90's outside and my temp still was in the 230's. Still too hot if you ask me. I was not pushing it hard. On the steep hills I kept it at 55. In the valley I was at 70-75... pretty much the speed limit. Like others have said, this engine pulls like a train... but the temperature spikes scare me a bit.
Last year I got the dashboard warning when I was going up Parleys canyon... which is fairly steep... but I wasn't driving it crazy then either.
Like what was mentioned before the computer maybe the cause of this. These 3.5's have amazing torque at lower RPM's, I'm thinking to keep the transmission from heating up it is using the turbos to keep it in a higher gear... but that ends up causing the engine to get too hot. I don't know.... I do love this vehicle. It out pulls any day of the week my old 2004 Expedition with the 5.4.
Rod
We were coming back from Northern Utah the other day with my family (6 of us and a dog) and my travel trailer which weighs slightly over 5k loaded. We went over Sardine canyon from Logan and the engine temps started creeping up to 244. It was 85 degrees. When going downhill it did cool off quite quickly, down to 230 then 220. When I got back down to the valley (which is pretty flat), it was getting into the 90's outside and my temp still was in the 230's. Still too hot if you ask me. I was not pushing it hard. On the steep hills I kept it at 55. In the valley I was at 70-75... pretty much the speed limit. Like others have said, this engine pulls like a train... but the temperature spikes scare me a bit.
Last year I got the dashboard warning when I was going up Parleys canyon... which is fairly steep... but I wasn't driving it crazy then either.
Like what was mentioned before the computer maybe the cause of this. These 3.5's have amazing torque at lower RPM's, I'm thinking to keep the transmission from heating up it is using the turbos to keep it in a higher gear... but that ends up causing the engine to get too hot. I don't know.... I do love this vehicle. It out pulls any day of the week my old 2004 Expedition with the 5.4.
Rod
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JasonH
Full Access Members
What gear were you in when you saw the temperature spike? Were you running 91/93 octane?
