Ecoboost

I have three brothers in law. Only one is an idiot. Guess I beat the odds!

doc_speeder wrote: In reply to alfadriver: Yes that's an option, but not really the way I roll. I've had my current truck for almost 7 years and it's been nearly perfect from a repair perspective. It's now 15 years old and has seen a lot of road. DD, towing, hauling etc. It's a Chev with a 6.0. Still a very nice truck that was really loaded up nice in it's day. I can't bring myself to get a new truck but only plan on keeping it for 2 or 3 years because it may not last any longer than that. Ideally, I'd buy a 2013-2014 and plan on owning it for another 6-10 years. I don't see that as unrealistic. Again, maybe the issues aren't that common. I hate the internet for that!

Get the extended warranty, then. I still have a year and a half left on mine, though I haven't needed it. It was around $600, I want to say. Well worth it for a truck I paid more than $40k for.

Totally agreed on how the internet can make rare issues seem very common, though. It's hard to know what you actually need to worry about and what's just a few people making a lot of noise.

alfadriver wrote: In reply to kb58: 2013? So your truck is less than 3 years old (since '16 just started). Why are you not getting it fixed for free? (and I've not heard of that issue....)

Well out of warrantee. Kinda hoping that Ford comes clean and says "bring them in and we'll fix 'em", kinda like Honda and the gummed up cylinder heads.

I agree that unhappy people make a very disproportionate amount of noise on forums. I have no idea how big a deal this really is and wouldn't have even noticed their comments had I not done a search.

FWIW, at the most recent oil change I bought Mobile 1 full synthetic and had my mechanic use it (to establish a known baseline). Ever since the change I haven't heard the noise, so we'll see. (And yes, the mechanic swore that full synthetic was used previously.)

I really like the truck and took what I considered a risk being an early adaptor of their new technology. I admit I'm hoping the noise just kind of goes away for good, but that's wishful thinking.

In reply to kb58:

So you are very clear of 50,000 miles?

It is a powertrain item, so it should be part of the 5 year, 50k thing.

Hmm, good point. I think it's currently somewhere in the mid-40s.

One of my customers has a '13 4wd with the 3.5 and his trip minder always says 17.x MPG.

Driver is everything. He may be one of those types that starts the truck and lets it idle for 40 minutes before driving off.

Stampie wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: My brother in law is an idiot,

Both of mine are idiots also. Is it a requirement to being a brother in law? Do they think we're idiots?

I have great respect for both of my brothers-in-law. The only area where I have questioned their judgement was marrying my sisters.

I am sure my sisters wonder what my wife sees in me.

I drove a 2.7 v6 powered F150 and it was fast.. scary fast for a king ranch equiped leather couch...

kb58 wrote: FWIW, at the most recent oil change I bought Mobile 1 full synthetic and had my mechanic use it (to establish a known baseline). Ever since the change I haven't heard the noise, so we'll see. (And yes, the mechanic swore that full synthetic was used previously.)

Mine has had Mobil 1 5w30 with Motorcraft filters changed like clockwork at 5k intervals since new. Maybe that's why I haven't heard any noise? I've had Blackstone look at my oil a couple of times, the first one showed a higher-than-normal amount of fuel, but the second was fine.

Knurled wrote: One of my customers has a '13 4wd with the 3.5 and his trip minder always says 17.x MPG.

Mine always averages 18.8 for city/highway. During long freeway drives where it's fairly level, it'll be 21+.

One time I double-checked the ECU-calculated mileage by dividing miles driven by fuel consumed... which gave a number about 10% less than what the ECU claimed. Now, I know it can't be expected to be perfect, but it's suspicious how every time a manufacturer produces calculated data, the error ALWAYS seems to be in their favor.

kb58 wrote:

Knurled wrote: One of my customers has a '13 4wd with the 3.5 and his trip minder always says 17.x MPG.

Mine always averages 18.8 for city/highway. During long freeway drives where it's fairly level, it'll be 21+. One time I double-checked the ECU-calculated mileage by dividing miles driven by fuel consumed... which gave a number about 10% *less* than what the ECU claimed. Now, I know it can't be expected to be perfect, but it's suspicious how every time a manufacturer produces calculated data, the error ALWAYS seems to be in their favor.

I've never quite figured out the mileage computer in the Jeep... Around town, it consistently reads high. On the highway, it almost always reads low...

Everyone around here loves the 3.5 EB trucks and they command a price premium. You can frequently get a LOT better deal on a similarly equipped 5.0. If you aren't trying to tow a house, there are some screaming deals on the 2.7EBs already and they look capable of anything most truck drivers will ever need, even towing like 7k or something.

If I hadn't cheaped out and gone old I was seriously watching those 2.7s.

doc_speeder wrote:

kb58 wrote: I have a 2013 F150 with the Ecoboost and no one's mentioned The Issue about these engines: something going on with the timing chain (probably). If you let the truck sit for a while, when it's started it makes a terrible clattering sound like the timing chain is loose, then it quiets down once oil pressure comes up. When the clattering gets bad enough, apparently the ECU will flag a timing fault, and to fix it costs an astronomical amount - like around $3000. Worse, some owners report the sound coming back just weeks after the expensive fix (which doesn't really make sense). How many of these stories are true is unclear, but I've got the clattering and am holding out as long as possible, hoping that Ford figures out The Fix before I really need it. While Ford apparently has a TSB on the issue, it's unclear what the problem and the fix really is.

^^^This is a very hot topic on the forums, but it's hard to tell how frequent it really is. There are theories that the chain is under-spec'd and is stretching, and that the fuel contamination in the oil that these motors are apparently somewhat known for is certainly contributing to the issue. It seems like a common enough issue that even though I love the idea of one of these trucks, I haven't bought one yet...And I've driven a couple and really like them. If I had one, I'd go frequent on the OCI for sure and use the correct filters and the revised viscosity synthetic oil. There is also some evidence that the newer (2014 production) trucks have a revised, beefier chain and some other revisions. Again, not sure if this is internet noise or truth. It's sad, as I really liked the ones I've driven. And they're ideal for the occasional but fairly heavy towing I do. I'm just not sure if I want to pull the trigger on one.

Ive had that before with the 3.2L sho engine noise goes away and only returns after sitting for a long time. None of them have ever kept doing it though. Just be glad it isn't an automatic spring based piece of garbage.

KyAllroad wrote: Buddy of mine has the Flex EcoBoost and raves about it. Total stealth speed. The issue I've been hearing about from these motors though is that they are hard on spark plugs, needing changes every 30K miles to run properly.

I wonder how long platinum or iridium plugs would last in one?

GameboyRMH wrote:

KyAllroad wrote: Buddy of mine has the Flex EcoBoost and raves about it. Total stealth speed. The issue I've been hearing about from these motors though is that they are hard on spark plugs, needing changes every 30K miles to run properly.

I wonder how long platinum or iridium plugs would last in one?

I'm almost positive the engines come with Motorcraft Iridiums from the factory. Owners manual on my '15 EcoBoost says new spark plugs every 96000km. Less if the vehicle falls under severe use.

kb58 wrote: I have a 2013 F150 with the Ecoboost and no one's mentioned The Issue about these engines: something going on with the timing chain (probably). If you let the truck sit for a while, when it's started it makes a terrible clattering sound like the timing chain is loose, then it quiets down once oil pressure comes up. When the clattering gets bad enough, apparently the ECU will flag a timing fault, and to fix it costs an astronomical amount - like around $3000. Worse, some owners report the sound coming back just weeks after the expensive fix (which doesn't really make sense). How many of these stories are true is unclear, but I've got the clattering and am holding out as long as possible, hoping that Ford figures out The Fix before I really need it. While Ford apparently has a TSB on the issue, it's unclear what the problem and the fix really is.

Whatever you do don't have the oil analyzed. Fuel dilution on htese things is through the roof. Thinning the lving crap out of the oil in just a few hundred miles.

Tom_Spangler wrote:

kb58 wrote: FWIW, at the most recent oil change I bought Mobile 1 full synthetic and had my mechanic use it (to establish a known baseline). Ever since the change I haven't heard the noise, so we'll see. (And yes, the mechanic swore that full synthetic was used previously.)

Mine has had Mobil 1 5w30 with Motorcraft filters changed like clockwork at 5k intervals since new. Maybe that's why I haven't heard any noise? I've had Blackstone look at my oil a couple of times, the first one showed a higher-than-normal amount of fuel, but the second was fine.

That's because GC isn't run on every sample unless certain conditions trigger it. ;) I see a couple hundred a week and it's the same story over and over. I would imagine that the fuel economy could be a lot better if they were tuned correclty.

Bobzilla wrote:

Tom_Spangler wrote:

kb58 wrote: FWIW, at the most recent oil change I bought Mobile 1 full synthetic and had my mechanic use it (to establish a known baseline). Ever since the change I haven't heard the noise, so we'll see. (And yes, the mechanic swore that full synthetic was used previously.)

Mine has had Mobil 1 5w30 with Motorcraft filters changed like clockwork at 5k intervals since new. Maybe that's why I haven't heard any noise? I've had Blackstone look at my oil a couple of times, the first one showed a higher-than-normal amount of fuel, but the second was fine.

That's because GC isn't run on every sample unless certain conditions trigger it. ;) I see a couple hundred a week and it's the same story over and over. I would imagine that the fuel economy could be a lot better if they were tuned correclty.

One theory I heard was that it dumps extra fuel to cool the combustion and prevent pinging with 87-octane fuel. So I tested this by running 93 in my truck for a little over a year. My average was .6 mpg worse with the 93, so I think that one goes out the window. And yes, I went back to 87.

Interesting that you found worse mpg on 93... When my friend tested his (with his ~40 mile each way commute), he gained some fraction of an mpg (can't remember how much, but he said the cost was about the same in the end and the truck had a little more power on 93).

I could definitely see that affecting fuel dilution though, depending on what the fuel / timing strategy does on the lower octane gas.

Tom_Spangler wrote:

Bobzilla wrote:

Tom_Spangler wrote:

kb58 wrote: FWIW, at the most recent oil change I bought Mobile 1 full synthetic and had my mechanic use it (to establish a known baseline). Ever since the change I haven't heard the noise, so we'll see. (And yes, the mechanic swore that full synthetic was used previously.)

Mine has had Mobil 1 5w30 with Motorcraft filters changed like clockwork at 5k intervals since new. Maybe that's why I haven't heard any noise? I've had Blackstone look at my oil a couple of times, the first one showed a higher-than-normal amount of fuel, but the second was fine.

That's because GC isn't run on every sample unless certain conditions trigger it. ;) I see a couple hundred a week and it's the same story over and over. I would imagine that the fuel economy could be a lot better if they were tuned correclty.

One theory I heard was that it dumps extra fuel to cool the combustion and prevent pinging with 87-octane fuel. So I tested this by running 93 in my truck for a little over a year. My average was .6 mpg worse with the 93, so I think that one goes out the window. And yes, I went back to 87.

I'm certain that is the case in general, not just with 87. Noticed a similar trend with most newer DI-T cars from other makers as well. They're over fueling to keep it safer, but going too far and thinning out the oil. Ford happens to be one of the worst right now, but they're all doing it.

Remember the regular consumer is stupid as hell so they have to build them to the stupidest, lowest common denominator.

Bobzilla wrote: Remember the regular consumer is stupid as hell so they have to build them to the stupidest, lowest common denominator.

The driving force behind everything, in my estimation.

Spend some time answering the phone for technical questions, you'll understand.

Keith Tanner wrote: Spend some time answering the phone for technical questions, you'll understand.

I spent a good 20 minutes on the phone with someone today trying to explain that a serial number is not the same as the model number. Grasping the concept of a serial number was a bit much for this individual.

Keith Tanner wrote: Spend some time answering the phone for technical questions, you'll understand.

still do!

In reply to Bobzilla:

FWIW, they don't run overly rich. No more than a PFI N/A motor most of the time.

The issue is something else. Not that it's better, but it's not too much fuel.