Hey all,
I'm looking at buying a 2014 f150 limited with the 3.5 ecoboost engine. Any thing that I should look for when checking it out? Known issues? It has 71,xxx miles on it but I've read these engines have a pretty decent lifetime and should easily last double that without too many issues.
Thanks!

 

You will want to know the last time the spark plugs were changed. They last about 30k miles. Ask if the intercooler weep hole was done. Listen for the comd start rattle.
Also, if you buy, MAKE SURE you get an extended warranty. You will need that on the ecoboost.

 

Alright, I didn't know about the spark plugs. Are those hard to get to on the engine? If not then that isn't a big deal. I did see from the vehicle history the previous owner had the oil changed religiously every 5000 miles by the dealership and it is one of those dealerships that offer a lifetime power train warranty if you have them do the routine maintenance. I will try to get the service records and figure out about the intercooler weep hole.

 

They are easy to do... sp534 plugs gapped to .030. I would personally stay away from this finicky engine. 5L and 6.2 are getting same gas mileage with vastly less engine issues. Avoid the ecoboost headache if you can.

 

Aaah...our resident curmudgeon has found this thread.

There are lots of folks who have had great service out of their EcoBoost engines. Could point to two examples on another forum of guys with over 300,000 miles on their '11 EcoBoost F150s that were bone stock. Never drilled a hole in an intake component, and they were just fine. They didn't change their plugs every 30K miles, either.

For the most part these things are pretty good. The only thing to really worry about is the startup rattle, but otherwise nothing common would be brewing that would cost you money.

 

Ya, after searching through a bunch of older threads I picked up that he is really against the ecoboost. I know a few guys that have some pre-2014 ecoboosts and they are doing great at 100,000+ miles with routine maintenance. I know of the startup rattle and the turbo issue but with as many of these 3.5's as Ford sells it seems that those are limited experiences and always the same people appearing on the different threads.

 

Nope - not isolated events. Most encounter the misfire event from condensate. You can solve for this by drilling the weep hole and keeping plugs changed every 30k miles.
Why would you want this finicky engine when you can get a trouble free 5L and you don't have to worry about it? This 3.5 eco has inherent design issues that have neverbeen solved. Research before you buy - you don't want a misfire event that puts your life in jeopardy, or be out $3k when you get the cam phaser rattle.

 

the 5l can't be that great. Three threads below this one is
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-knocking.html

 

I am not disagreeing that the 3.5 has some issues, but if it isn't showing those issues by 71,xxx miles than it is probably is an engine that doesn't have those issues. A lot of people had those issues early on in their 3.5 life. The 5.0 seems to have issues later on in life.

I have done quite a bit of research on the 3.5 and it has quite a few applications for Ford. For all of the applications and sales, there haven't been that many problems reported and the ones that have, the same people keep the conversations going.

 

Interesting how I've never heard an explanation as to why some folks can go hundreds of thousands of miles without issue. One of them didn't change his plugs until over 100K miles, and they were fine.

Weird, right? I mean...it's a bad design!

 

For God sakes already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF is the problem!? The OP isn't looking for an engine bashing thread but some honest factual answers!!!!! Is that too fricken hard to do?!

As per the Ford owners guide, the plugs should last 100,000 miles. They won't. Most dealers recommend a 50K mile change out, not 30K miles. Mine last 61K miles and then I had a misfire event. Changed the plugs and now we're good to go.

The 6.2L WILL NOT meet or exceed ecoboost gas mileage except perhaps while towing.

The 5.0L engine isn't trouble free so don't get duped into that lie. Then again, neither is the ecoboost. It had it's teething issues but of all the engines that Ford has build since 2011, over 50% of them are 3.5L ecoboosts.

I did drill the weep hole in my CAC with no issues before or after the drilling. Hardly anything came out.

If you choose this truck, maintain the 5000 mile oil change interval and be the first one in the morning to start it up to check for the cold start rattle before making the purchase. The best way to do t his is to see if you can take it home over night.

As for the turbo issues, what turbo issues? I haven't heard or read of any issues with the turbos. I'm sure some have failed but it's certainly not a chronic issue. Hell, some 5.0L engine blocks have gone bad but that isn't chronic either.

 

Op asked what to look for. All I did was bring up how the intercooler produces condensate while driving and causes misfires. Also to be aware of the cam phaser failures. These are ecoboost specific and will happen. You don't find those issues on 5L... or regular issues of any type. For hassle free ownership, choose the 5L.

Fyi - my 6.2 gets the same gas mileage my ecoboost trucks did.

 

I have a truck with the Ecoboost and one with the 5.0. I like both engines. My Ecoboost gets better gas mileage than my 5.0 does by 3 mpg with mixed city/highway driving. Both trucks have 3.55 rear gear, and both are 2wd. I'd buy an Ecoboost again in a heartbeat.

 

My 6.2 gulps gas. Ive heard the 5.0 does better on gas then the ecoboost. but there IS ALOT of ecoboosts out there and they are holding up. Id get it for over night and listen closely for the rattle on start up. if its quiet, buy it.

 

I dont believe that for one minute. the 6.2 gets the same gas mileage as the ecoboost? no way.