Looking to purchase 2016 or 2017 4wd-questions on octane, turbos etc

Looking to purchase either a 2016 or 2017 EL 4wd , hoping to find one in the 100,000- 120,000 mile range

I am seeing a few of these that are saying they've had exhaust manifold and turbos replaced at that mileage, which seems kind of weird to me, I have never had to change a turbo on any of my cars
does that mean maybe they were driven harder/towed a lot or did not get the oil changed regularly??

I am in southern Arizona so 5 to 6 months a year we are 100° or over, guess this means I'm going to have to run 91 octane?

If I run 91 octane all the time or at least during the summer months, do regular 3000 mile oil changes and watch my temps on my truck. What else do I need to do in order to not have turbo issues?
Will do spark plugs at 30,000 I guess from what I am reading
this will tow some but be more highway driving empty

This turbo issues sounds expensive and I realized they've changed to stainless on replacement parts and there are some aftermarket upgrades that are better, but I would like to know what I can do to prevent that if I get one that has not had those changed

Do these trucks have EGT temperature somewhere in the dash before and after Turbo or is that something that I need to add?

Any and all info will be great

cvin23 said:

What else do I need to do in order to not have turbo issues?

Click to expand...

1. PRAY

2. PRAY some mo....

hahahaha....

but the late 3rd Gen/early 4th Gen with turbos had a fair amount of issues, but I don't recall if the gas octane had that much to do with them, so much as the fact that Ford made some design mistakes during that period of changing over from the older 5.4L beasts to the newer 3.5L EB models... probably the biggest of which was assuming that the changeover would be easy-peazy....\

But there are others here that have had some actual experience with the turbos, so I'll let them chime in with specifics...

lol hopefully some people will chime in


I'm really sitting on the fence about buying this truck because I'm just not convinced on the reliability of those motors that being said I think all the trucks in these years/newer have issues except maybe Toyota lol

I think 2017 had upgraded turbos. Everybody thinks Toyota is a miracle brand.......not true. My 17' turbos are fine at 120k

Mine are fine at 150,000 (hoping I’m not jinxing myself by posting this). I only use premium gas, but no idea if that’s a contributing factor.

My 2017 Expedition LTD 4x4 (114,000 mies) does just fine with regular gas here in Tucson no matter what Temperature Arizona tosses our way. I also tow a 30 foot Travel Trailer running about 7,000 pounds. I wouldn't worry about the turbo. I don't. I also only let FORD do any maintenance on my vehicle...so they have a complete record ( just my 2 cents).

I've had my 2017 for 3 years now, towing a 7500 lbs trailer. I've done a considerable about of research about the 3.5 engine. First, 91 octane will help keep with the carbon build-up, I also added a catch can on the PVC side to help even more. I live just outside of Las Vegas, so I know how the temp issue can raise its ugly head, especially when towing during the summer. The OEM thermostat is inadequte to handle the temp of a turbo engine. I learned that the Europeans (who have turbos is almost everything they drive) use a cold side thermostate, it had two ports (one on top, the other below) that allow more coolant in as the engine temp raises. I use to run between 240 and 260 degress when towing under pressure, since installing the old side thermostate I run seldom hight the 190 degrees.
I change my spark pulgs and coil packs every 60,000, and regular oil changes. I now have 160,000 on my beauty and expect to get plenty more.

No issues with the turbos on my 2017. Running 87 octane. I tried 91 but didn't notice any difference so stuck with the cheaper fuel.

My Expeditions (on #2) only exist to tow my ~6500 pound camper in the summer. Everyday driving of course but any car can do that.

87octane is all that's been needed even in what passes for mountains here. I've run 93 but have never noticed any difference.

YMMV.

-- Chuck

2017 Expedition EL, just passed 99k in Phoenix. We've had it since 2019, added a JLT catch-can right away. We've had to replace a water pump (warranty), the front AC evaporator (DIY), and the throttle body twice (also DIY). It runs fine on 87, even in 115+ temps. The computer is smart enough to pull timing/boost long before you hear any perceptible knocking (you can see it do it on a scan tool).

If you run 91/93 you get a little more power, but TBH I only do that when I tow.

Speaking of, if you plan to tow try to get one with HD towing. Mine is 2WD with no HD but I added the factory brake controller. Anything over 3500lbs I have to crawl up mountains behind semis during the summer or it gets too hot. I keep meaning to add the trans cooler and lower temp thermostat (which should fix it), but I only tow like once a year so not a high priority.

We are in AZ and have a 17 with 109K on it now. Had it for about a year and its been on 87 since day 1. No issues at all. Computer will learn for fuel quality and de-tune it so there is no risk of damage. Only issue we had was the front diff was empty and had to replace it. Other than that its been trouble free for the 5K miles we have drive it, lol.

Our friends have a 16 thats only ever had 87, they bought it at 160K all original, they are sitting around 220k and the turbos had a slight coolant leak, but it actually resolved and is no longer leaking, it's still all original. These are very well built engines and transmissions. They also tow a 30ft camper every once in a while.

180K on my 2017 with no issues with the turbos themselves. Mostly 87 octane with ~5,000 mile oil changes (Motorcraft synth blend). Thinking about putting in a catch can, but haven't done it yet. I don't tow very often and if I do, it's under 2,500#

Keep tabs on the oil line connections going to them, though. They can get 'weepy'.

So, if my memory serves me correctly my Expedition had 236k miles when I traded it.

No issues from the turbos… except the coolant line leak on the driver side. Pulled the turbo, and replaced the snap-ring fitting, and O-ring.

My biggest issue was oil blow-by. Though my Full Race catch can was grabbing the nasty oil out of the air circulating in the engine there was still some passing by the piston rings. This led to foiled plugs more often than normal.

I could change the plugs and get another 5000k’ish miles out of them depending on how I drove.

Disclaimer… my Expedition was somewhat modified with a tuning done. Positive that led to the issues I had.

1. Full Race cold air intake
2. Full Race intercooler
3. Full Race oil catch can
4. Full Race throttle body spacer
5. TurboSmart oil catch can
6. MSD ignition coils
7. SPD downpipes
8. Accel wires
9. Elite Performance Tuning (tuned by Eddie)

Eddie had me putting down 385hp/ 603lbs/ft torque at the wheels before the downpipes. Felt a bump with the downpipes, but never got a chance for him to dial it in.

It was a beast, but had to let her go as things got a bit sketch after a throttle bump that left my rear differential clicking. 603 lbs/ft at the wheels hits hard… defeating my traction control. Hence, the clicking rear end.

All that to say be weary of what type of life your potential “new to you” Expedition might’ve had. Might be a good idea to stay away from one that might’ve led a life like mine. It wasn’t meant to be ran like I ran it.

I miss her though…

Oh… as far as the octane goes I’d run 87 octane as the manual states. I ran 93 octane because of the tune. Was costly to fill up. Can only imagine what it would cost now. I too live in Arizona. When gas starting going up I’d throw regular in it from time to time with no issues. So, you should be fine if normal driving is all you do.

If you happen to come across her…

skamerick said:

I've had my 2017 for 3 years now, towing a 7500 lbs trailer. I've done a considerable about of research about the 3.5 engine. First, 91 octane will help keep with the carbon build-up, I also added a catch can on the PVC side to help even more. I live just outside of Las Vegas, so I know how the temp issue can raise its ugly head, especially when towing during the summer. The OEM thermostat is inadequte to handle the temp of a turbo engine. I learned that the Europeans (who have turbos is almost everything they drive) use a cold side thermostate, it had two ports (one on top, the other below) that allow more coolant in as the engine temp raises. I use to run between 240 and 260 degress when towing under pressure, since installing the old side thermostate I run seldom hight the 190 degrees.
I change my spark pulgs and coil packs every 60,000, and regular oil changes. I now have 160,000 on my beauty and expect to get plenty more.

Click to expand...

I thought the 17 was the year they went to port and direct injection both so no problem with the buildup plus octane shouldn't affect anything either, plus I thought that catch can thing was for 5.4's and older models and was corrected on the eco motors. It sounds like you are worried about nothing.

Was 2018 models.

chuck s said:

Was 2018 models.

Click to expand...

Right, now I am seeing a walnut shell job in the future..........dam

I'm running an oil catch can on the right (starboard) bank of cylinders. Rarely have much oil -- a shot glass at most -- but I'm still below 50K miles. I thought there was a recall on the turbochargers some years ago which I would have done since my truck shows no open recalls other than the rear camera for which parts just became available-- but may have dreamed this.

-- Chuck

chuck s said:

I'm running an oil catch can on the right (starboard) bank of cylinders. Rarely have much oil -- a shot glass at most -- but I'm still below 50K miles. I thought there was a recall on the turbochargers some years ago which I would have done since my truck shows no open recalls other than the rear camera for which parts just became available-- but may have dreamed this.

-- Chuck

Click to expand...

I doubt if you will ever need the catch can on the eco 3.5 motor, and I think the '17 has better turbos now. The main problem was the tubes on them leaking.

chuck s said:

Was 2018 models.

Click to expand...

From Microsoft Edge;
For the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, the first-generation model (2015–2016) also used only direct injection. The second-generation 3.5L (2017–2018) introduced dual injection to address similar carbon buildup problems, with port injection used primarily at idle and low speeds, and direct injection dominating at higher loads Ford-Trucks.com+1.

Summary:

• 2.7L EcoBoost: Dual injection started with the 2018 model year.
• 3.5L EcoBoost: Dual injection started with the 2017 model year.