Ecoboost engine burning fluids

[rjdelp7]

Make them replace the catalytic converters, since burning coolant ruins them.

 

[jkayca]

I see something very similar with my truck. I have it at the dealer now. They say they can't find anything wrong. WTF?

They did find this stuck in the rad.

 

[Modelcarguy]

White smoke then. Glad to hear the dealer caught the problem.

hope they fix it it properly and you’ll be good to go.

(something to think about - since the head will be off, consider doing valves, guides and seats at the same time. Might save you from having to remove the head again in a short while. I’ve always done that. If it’s apart address any possible issues you can. Can save time and money in the long run.)

 

[JasonH]

So the final verdict was leaking head gasket. Repair estimate for parts and labor is $3,879 of which $3,552 is labor (22 hours) and the remainders parts, tax etc. All but $300 is covered by my Fidelity Warranty (through Carmax), which has now officially paid for itself. I couldn't get the loaner Mach E, because it was loaned to someone else that had a vehicle in for repair. That individual has had it for over 3 weeks now. Perhaps a parts shortage? I don't know.

The quote to replace the timing chain and cam phasers was another $3,500, so I passed because I don't anticipate keeping the vehicle longer than 12 - 18 months, as I would like to upgrade to a 4th gen. We also put far fewer miles on the truck since we take the Focus Electric nearly everywhere, and my daughter brought my ICE vehicle back while home from college. At the rate we're using it, the 8K left on the warranty might last for 6 - 12 months.

Hopefully used car prices return to sanity within my purchase timeframe. The Expedition has been a good vehicle thus far, but I would love to get the 4th gen if I can do so at reasonable price. It's getting worked on just in time, as my trailer is supposed to be back next week. Final repair cost on that one...~$14,000.

 

[Machete]

I gotta say reading this thread and another recent one here on crankshaft piston knock those EB motors scare the hell outta me.

 

[Langer]

I gotta say reading this thread and another recent one here on crankshaft piston knock those EB motors scare the hell outta me.

Well, there was over a million sold by 2016, and they’re generally considered solid engines. I’m very disappointed that mine is one of the outliers.

 

[Machete]

Well, there was over a million sold by 2016, and they’re generally considered solid engines. I’m very disappointed that mine is one of the outliers.

It doesn’t matter how many they sell if yours experiences all the common failures.
This forum is full of threads about EB problems.

 

[Boostedbus]

It doesn’t matter how many they sell if yours experiences all the common failures.
This forum is full of threads about EB problems.

I’ll say that I’ve owned a lot of different Ford engines over the years and the 3.5 Ecoboost is definitely in the top 3 for favorites. No two of the same mass produced engines are exactly the same. They vary from different tolerances on numerous parts throughout the engine. Every now and then you get a bad one that has issues. One of my worst Ford engines I ever owned was a 88 EFI 302 roller cam Windsor. Had I not known better I would’ve said those engines were junk from my experience with mine, but that mill is arguably one of the best engines Ford has ever built according to many. I had two different 351M engines and a 400M that I loved over that 302W, and the M engines weren’t exactly one of Fords best. So it’s hard to really judge by a handful of bad ones, and when people aren’t having trouble with their Ecoboost’s they aren’t really advertising it on forums. Oh by the way, my top 3 are my old Boss 351 and other 2v Cleveland’s, my 4v 390 FE, and the 3.5 Ecoboost. My old 300 straight 6 probably comes in 4th just because of durability not performance. My 2 cents. Actually I should mention my 5.4 2v as being a solid performer and durable also....tied for 4th.

 

[rjdelp7]

Ford doesn't offer an optional engine in the Expedition. Sales are around 40-50K per year. So that is 200-250k engines. I have not heard the f-150 version having major issues, like the Expeditions. The EB's engine reputation is already sketchy. They are on the 3rd generation and still having issues. GM's Tahoe/yukon optional 6cyl is a diesel.

 

[JExpedition07]

Glad to hear the warranty company is not giving you any hassle, makes the world much easier.

I also would like to jump into a 4th gen, problem is they don’t look good till you hit Limited Stealth or Platinum. Need to let the used market settle down.

 

[Langer]

Ford doesn't offer an optional engine in the Expedition. Sales are around 40-50K per year. So that is 200-250k engines. I have not heard the f-150 version having major issues, like the Expeditions. The EB's engine reputation is already sketchy. They are on the 3rd generation and still having issues. GM's Tahoe/yukon optional 6cyl is a diesel.

I was including the f-150 sales in the general count. I know expy’s sale are well below 1 million, probably over the last decade, even (including NON EB expeditions).

 

[rjdelp7]

I was including the f-150 sales in the general count. I know expy’s sale are well below 1 million, probably over the last decade, even (including NON EB expeditions).

Your assuming the engine used in the F-150, is the same to the Expedition. They may use different phasers, cam shafts, compression ratio, turbos, exhaust, heads, blocks, pistons and oil pans. They may be built at different plants. There was 5 versions of the 4.6l. The 2v SOHC, 32V DOHC the 3V SOHC, The Romeo and Windsor. The engine used different heads, cranks and even valve covers

 

[JasonH]

Glad to hear the warranty company is not giving you any hassle, makes the world much easier.

I also would like to jump into a 4th gen, problem is they don’t look good till you hit Limited Stealth or Platinum. Need to let the used market settle down.

One of the issues I have is that Ford made the heavy duty tow package optional on the 4th gen, instead of including it on the Limited and higher trims. I definitely need it. Not sure how I'm going to hunt one down.

I've had good experiences in the past with Fidelity. They paid for a rear main seal and some other work on my Honda Odyssey previously. Each time I've purchased the warranty it has paid for itself.

 

[Machete]

Agreed on the lack of engine options on Expy’s. I typically plan way ahead and for a while now I’ve been considering what my next daily runner needs to be. I know it won’t be an ecoboost and really want to avoid VVT v8’s. I know I’ll blow through those in 100k miles then need cam phaser job etc.

I’m averaging 800 mi week right now in 90 heat doing 75mph-80mph all highway w 230,*** on the clock now.

I’ll probably look for a pushrod style rig. I’m not convinced these VVT‘a will hold up to this type of use and give me 250k miles of trouble free engine and drivetrain.

 

[Boostedbus]

One of the issues I have is that Ford made the heavy duty tow package optional on the 4th gen, instead of including it on the Limited and higher trims. I definitely need it. Not sure how I'm going to hunt one down.

I've had good experiences in the past with Fidelity. They paid for a rear main seal and some other work on my Honda Odyssey previously. Each time I've purchased the warranty it has paid for itself.

Does your current Expedition have the HD tow package? I see you do a lot of towing and that creates a lot of extra heat ( especially in Texas) , if I had to guess I would think that had something to do with the head gasket failure. Did you ever see the coolants temperature spike on a hard pull? Towing in extreme temperatures is very taxing on things. Maybe even add more auxiliary coolers to help with temps.

 

[Trainmaster]

I gotta say reading this thread and another recent one here on crankshaft piston knock those EB motors scare the hell outta me.

I wouldn't buy one... Where's the benefit?

 

[Boostedbus]

I wouldn't buy one... Where's the benefit?

The benefit that I love is diesel like torque at low rpm’s. I think Ford got it right on this package especially for towing. I compare it to my pushrod V8 351W in my F150 which I’ve changed the factory 3.54 gears to 4.10’s and it still doesn’t have enough balls towing because it’s still not in its powerband for torque. Oh and I bought the truck with 68,000 miles on it knowing I had to put a engine in it due to no oil pressure and rod knock. I didn’t know the history of the truck (auction) but new I could put a Ford remanufactured in for $1,800 my cost. It’s all about maintenance and abuse for the most part.

 

[JasonH]

Agreed on the lack of engine options on Expy’s. I typically plan way ahead and for a while now I’ve been considering what my next daily runner needs to be. I know it won’t be an ecoboost and really want to avoid VVT v8’s. I know I’ll blow through those in 100k miles then need cam phaser job etc.

I’m averaging 800 mi week right now in 90 heat doing 75mph-80mph all highway w 230,*** on the clock now.

I’ll probably look for a pushrod style rig. I’m not convinced these VVT‘a will hold up to this type of use and give me 250k miles of trouble free engine and drivetrain.

Sounds like a job for a diesel.

 

[JasonH]

Does your current Expedition have the HD tow package? I see you do a lot of towing and that creates a lot of extra heat ( especially in Texas) , if I had to guess I would think that had something to do with the head gasket failure. Did you ever see the coolants temperature spike on a hard pull? Towing in extreme temperatures is very taxing on things. Maybe even add more auxiliary coolers to help with temps.

Yes, it came with the Heavy Duty tow package. I've done very little pulling up grades and never saw elevated engines temps. I purchased it with approximately 58k. The tech said no warpage to the heads or deck so if anything happened before I got it it must not have been severe.

 

[JExpedition07]

The benefit that I love is diesel like torque at low rpm’s. I think Ford got it right on this package especially for towing. I compare it to my pushrod V8 351W in my F150 which I’ve changed the factory 3.54 gears to 4.10’s and it still doesn’t have enough balls towing because it’s still not in its powerband for torque. Oh and I bought the truck with 68,000 miles on it knowing I had to put a engine in it due to no oil pressure and rod knock. I didn’t know the history of the truck (auction) but new I could put a Ford remanufactured in for $1,800 my cost. It’s all about maintenance and abuse for the most part.

This is why I’m thinking I’m going to stay with another Expedition and get the 3.5 EcoBoost/10 Speed over the 5.0. I like that my 5.4 3V has all its grunt in the mid range so it doesn’t have to scream up revs when I tow. I can let the tach sit at 3 grand and she will pull anything uphill....I think the 5.0 needs to hit 4 grand or higher before it meets what the 5.4 3V puts down at 3 grand.