Ecoboost engine burning fluids

[JasonH]

So, it appears that my 2017 Ecoboost engine is burning oil or coolant. There is substantial smoke from the exhaust on startup. Initially a light puff, then a heavy cloud of smoke after 5 - 10 seconds, then a continuous light cloud of white smoke. I suspect the turbo may be leaking fluids into the inlet, because I had to replace the throttle body last year and the original one seemed to have some residue. Thankfully, I have an extended warranty to 125K miles. I just dropped it off at the Ford dealer, so I'll know in 24 hours. The dealer is supposed to call me about a Mach E loaner tomorrow. Unfortunately it was out with a customer today.

 

[JasonH]

 

[JExpedition07]

Could you post your impressions and some pics of the Mach E in the lounge? I’ve been curious about this car, besides the name I like.

 

[Plati]

You don't say if it ever stops.
If it lasts a matter of a couple minutes ... could be water vapor.
Must be it never stops.

 

[JExpedition07]

White smoke is going to be coolant, how was your reservoir level?

 

[JasonH]

Could you post your impressions and some pics of the Mach E in the lounge? I’ve been curious about this car, besides the name I like.

If I get a chance I'll post some stuff. I saw it in the showroom a month ago, but thought the interior was underwhelming. I have an electric Focus. Most of the enjoyment is from the driving experience and lack of maintenance. I frequently find myself calculating how much I'm saving by driving electric instead of the Expedition. I have an ICE car, but my daughter took it to college. I'm not a good auto critic because my biggest concern is cost of ownership. There are several good reviews on YouTube and Sandy Munro did a good analysis of some of the engineering on the Mach E. He was impressed.

 

[JasonH]

White smoke is going to be coolant, how was your reservoir level?

Good question. I thought I checked it the other day and it was ok. But I paid for an extended warranty so I decided to let the dealer figure it out.

 

[JasonH]

You don't say if it ever stops.
If it lasts a matter of a couple minutes ... could be water vapor.
Must be it never stops.

My wife drive behind me and said it was noticeable. It's definitely not vapor.

 

[Alwaysthinkin]

My wife drive behind me and said it was noticeable. It's definitely not vapor.

Agree with @JExpedition07, white smoke means coolant based on my experience.

 

[JasonH]

Agree with @JExpedition07, white smoke means coolant based on my experience.

Whelp, hopefully I'll get two turbos out of it, since the warranty expires in another 8,000 miles.

 

[jeff kushner]

Dumb question maybe.....did you bother to get down and actually smell it?

I dunno....if I saw smoke and wasn't sure if it were oil/glycol........

 

[Frank Wilson]

Whelp, hopefully I'll get two turbos out of it, since the warranty expires in another 8,000 miles.

Make that warranty work for you!.

 

[JasonH]

Dumb question maybe.....did you bother to get down and actually smell it?

I dunno....if I saw smoke and wasn't sure if it were oil/glycol........

Not this time, but I have noticed on various occasions that the exhaust has a very unpleasant odor. When we park at softball tournaments, I was cautious not to idle with anyone seated behind me because of it. What does the odor suggest?

 

[JasonH]

Make that warranty work for you!.

My plan was always to ditch it for a 4th gen when the warranty expires. I didn't anticipate that we would put 60,000 miles on it in 31 months, or else I might have sprung for the 150K warranty instead. Plus, now the 4th gens are in heavy demand and the HD Tow is hard to find on any of them. If the problem is suitably repaired, I may drive it for another year, until supply is back to normal.

 

[JasonH]

So, the verdict is that it's burning coolant, and it appears to be from a head gasket leak. The service tech said coolant was low and they tested the gas in the coolant reservoir. It tested positive for combustion gas, which means some gas is escaping into the cooling system. They want four hours to pull a head gasket to verify. No update on the Mach E, I guess the service manager's wife is driving it or something. It would awesome if I could get it for the weekend since I have to drive 50 miles for a softball game.

 

[Hamfisted]

They should do both head gaskets. You wouldn't be crazy to replace the timing chains and guides while it's apart as well. There's no extra labor, since the old chains and guides will be off anyway.

 

[JExpedition07]

I had a feeling you were going to be in for head gaskets but I didn’t want to be a downer. They should check the heads for warpage, commonly the gasket blows out because of an irregularity happening. Wonder if they will just go ahead and replace that head. That would be ideal.

 

[JasonH]

I had a feeling you were going to be in for head gaskets but I didn’t want to be a downer. They should check the heads for warpage, commonly the gasket blows out because of an irregularity happening. Wonder if they will just go ahead and replace that head. That would be ideal.

I spoke to the shop tech about it, because the service advisor didn't do a good job of conveying what they found. The tech said they'll check the heads and block for warpage. Might be in for a new engine if either has substantial damage. Really disappointing, because the truck has been running great.

 

[Modelcarguy]

Not enough info here.

What color smoke. White? Light gray? Blue?

only at idle? Or under acceleration?

only when cold? Or all the time?

 

[JasonH]

Not enough info here.

What color smoke. White? Light gray? Blue?

only at idle? Or under acceleration?

only when cold? Or all the time?

They dealer tech determined that a head gasket is letting coolant into the cylinders. Just waiting to hear on warranty coverage.