2012 Screw FX4 with EB - 4500 miles on it. Driving on the hwy Saturday at 65mph for about an hour (raining and cold out). I go to pass a slow moving car, pushing the peddle 80% down. The truck starts to shake, no power and the check engine light is flashing. I pull off the hwy, stop the truck and shut it off. After waiting 30 seconds I start the truck and it has been running great ever since (500 miles). First appointment at the dealership was Wednesday (no issues with the truck since Saturday).

I report the problem as well as my concern with the fuel consumsion I am getting - At best hwy @ 65mph -15.5mpg. I baby this truck, no fast starts and stay off the turbos (Have had 5 Ford F350 - 98s to 11s in the past and know how to drive trucks with turbos).

Dealer called me Wednesday afternoon.....
1) New progarm to upload into the truck computer - They say this will help the low mpg.

2) Lazy sensor (he was not sure what one). They are replacing it today.

3) They are telling me that the billet grille protector that was installed in the opening of the intercooler is effecting the truck. He also said that I am at risk of voiding my warrenty. This guard is the black billet type that has a number of thin bars across it (plenty of air flow?).

SO... Has anyone else had the truck shutter and missfire with a flashing check engine light? Any ideas if this new flash will fix my low MPG issue? Am I crazy to think that Ford could void my warrenty for putting on a protective guard that the Ford saleman sold me (Saying it is a must to have because the intercooler is expensive to replace if it take a rock).

Thoughts and comments?

Thanks guys,

DG

 

I would not impede the airflow to the intercooler. It should be fine. Tranny coolers/radiators/air conditioning has been located in the same spot and been fine. Having had turbo mustangs I never took a rock in the intercooler it couldn't handle.

 

Ask him to provide a copy of the 2012 F150 Brochure....it's got an EcoBoost with a lower grille guard on the cover.

 

I just downloaded the 2012 F-150 brochure, is the online version different? Asking because I don't see a truck with a grille guard on the cover.
Also, all of the trucks in the brochure don't have license plates, so it's hard to tell what engine it is, I think.

A while ago I saw a link here to the intercooler on Tasca parts. If I remember correctly, it was around $250 - so not really all that expensive when comparing to a grille guard at around $100 that may or may not be needed. It's pretty surprising how much these guards can restrict air flow - I saw calculations that gave a best case scenario of 25-30% restriction.
I played with the idea, but I've decided to just leave the hole there. If they void the warranty (and they can in certain cases - if there is overheating of the turbos), then the $250 for an intercooler replacement (if ever needed) sounds cheap.

 

The one I have has a blue truck romping through mud on the cover. You can clearly see the Ecoboost badge on the side and the grille in the front. I've also got several Ford adds, particlulalry from the HOG magazine, that show different trucks, but the same setup. They're out there...sometimes you need to look really close to see the grille, but it's there.

 

Can you scan that or take a picture and post it? I'd be interested in seeing that. The 2012 online brochure that can be downloaded has a sterling grey screw reaching the top of a hill (on a road).

 

I'll give it my best shot...it's at home so it'll have to wait until tonight...

 

the guards create a lot of turbulence which greatly decreases the efficiency of the intercooler.

 

Yes, it is not just the reduction in area from those grilles, but also the fact that now an obstacle creates turbulence in the path. I am sure that if it was a good idea to protect the intercooler there Ford would have done it.
It probably is mainly a concern in hot climates or when towing / hauling, but no point IMO to risk losing the warranty on the turbos while trying to protect a $250 part.

 

The intercooler on the Superduty trucks isn't wide open to damage like on the F-150's and it doesn't seem to be an issue.

I did put one of those cheap POS grills from Ebay for my gaping intercooler hole. The grill is of such poor quality that it is literally starting to come apart. It'll be coming off this weekend and I'll chalk that up as $38.00 plus shipping wasted.

 

I have one of the carriage works installed and haven't noticed any difference. I just went outside and took it off though and see if it improves. Will also be towing a 30 ft trailer next month and don't want to have any unwanted surprises.

 

Can you see your charge temperature from the info center?

 

I looked at the online brochure and it is the same one I have. If you look closely at that gray truck on the cover you'll see it has a black lower grille in it. The truck on the second page was the one I was thinking about earlier, and that truck as well has a black lower grille in it, although it shows up much better in the print version. In fact, every truck in the brochure has a lower grille in it. Because of shadows and camera angles its easier to see in some pics than others. But you can tell every picture has something because you can't see the lower side braces.

I did scan the HOG magazine ad where the lower grille shows up very clearly. But after a lot of effort, it won't let me load the files...too large. PM me with an email I can send them too you.

Ford Brochures | The Official Site of Ford Vehicles | Ford.com

 

I am sorry but I do not see any grille on the grey truck or any truck on that brochure. Even the one that is going through the mud...it makes it look like there might be one but it is the mud that gives that impression.

 

Blow the picture of the gray truck up and you'll see horizontal lines, most pronounced on the right side of the opening. It's there. Like I wrote earlier, on the truck in the mud its more visible in the print copy I have than the online brochure.