2011 EcoBoost Reliability?
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,104
Likes: 384
From: Southern California
Here’s a poll that was done at a Ford dealer with their garage staff of which engine they would buy……..
It's interesting....the younger techs prefer the EB, the older, more experienced take my opinion
It's interesting....the younger techs prefer the EB, the older, more experienced take my opinion
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 175
Likes: 6
Two picked it for the towing ability...while the 3.5l has more torque and is rated to tow more but they are completely unaware. And loved the one about the ECHO??? - echoboost??? He doesn't even know what it's called. "You got to be on the power, all the time just to keep the power, in the throttle to get the power but you just get to speed and cruise with the 5.0." Yeah.....that's not really how a turbo works.
Truth is, a lot of people are just plain stuck on 8 cylinders.
Truth is, a lot of people are just plain stuck on 8 cylinders.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,039
Likes: 1,523
From: Maine, Virginia
I put no stock in that video at all. Even my service writer thinks the 5.0L is the better choice but he can't tell anyone why except t hat it's his opinion. And he drives a 2012 Focus and claims that it has no transmission issues whatsoever. SMDH.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
Threads like this prove most come to boards to cry about their failures, not praise their success. I get sick of those who have a problem and ride that one horse to their grave. Then the others who know nothing about what they drive, but are experts when there is a problem.
I remember when the 3.5L came out and the newness had people griping the engine was junk. It'd never last. The fuel economy sucked. It wasn't the replacement for displacement. Blah, blah, blah. Years later, after working out the minor bugs, like ALL new platforms do, it's the main engine type across Fords line, for good reason.
Im in the same boat as the OP, looking for a used truck for my son. I know the 2011 EcoBoost had issues, but it's the exception. Yes, the early 5.4L engines blew plugs, but it wasn't the rule.
Ive logged more miles in Powerstrokes than most, and at close to 3 million miles, I NEVER had issues with the dreaded 6.0L's I owned (5) or the 6.4L's (2), but both motors were supposedly junk. Again, exceptions, not rules.
Ive only owned one EcoBoost, snd it was a 2016 that amazed me. No, it's not like my 6.7L, but it was a miracle. From what I hear, there are timing belt/chain issues that can arise, and it is suggested to do some preventive maintenance there after 100k, but despite the early reads of impending 2011 EcoBoost doom, I'm finding more and more satisfied drivers well over 100k on their pregnant sewing machines, and happy without real issues.
I remember when the 3.5L came out and the newness had people griping the engine was junk. It'd never last. The fuel economy sucked. It wasn't the replacement for displacement. Blah, blah, blah. Years later, after working out the minor bugs, like ALL new platforms do, it's the main engine type across Fords line, for good reason.
Im in the same boat as the OP, looking for a used truck for my son. I know the 2011 EcoBoost had issues, but it's the exception. Yes, the early 5.4L engines blew plugs, but it wasn't the rule.
Ive logged more miles in Powerstrokes than most, and at close to 3 million miles, I NEVER had issues with the dreaded 6.0L's I owned (5) or the 6.4L's (2), but both motors were supposedly junk. Again, exceptions, not rules.
Ive only owned one EcoBoost, snd it was a 2016 that amazed me. No, it's not like my 6.7L, but it was a miracle. From what I hear, there are timing belt/chain issues that can arise, and it is suggested to do some preventive maintenance there after 100k, but despite the early reads of impending 2011 EcoBoost doom, I'm finding more and more satisfied drivers well over 100k on their pregnant sewing machines, and happy without real issues.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,361
Likes: 250
My buddy had a '11 with the eco boost and had no issues with it, although it only had 30k on it when he traded for a new one9he gets a new truck every three years). My wife's '12 has just under 80k and it has been 100% reliable, we are probably going to trade it off this spring and will more than likely get another one with the 3.5eb. My buddy went from two EBs to a 5.0 in his '17 and he regrets not sticking with the EB.
I would not be afraid to buy a used EB engine, just make sure to change the plugs if you can't verify when/if they have been changed. On the 3.5 it's a pretty easy job to tackle for people with even little mechanical ability. On the test drive just make sure to listen on the cold start for the rattle they can get and if it has it walk away.
these internet forums are a great source for information but they can make less common problems seem bigger than they are. When I bought my '01 I was sure the 5.4 was going to start spitting plugs out from what I read on here but that ended up being a very reliable engine. I'd be more hesitant to buy an older 5.0 than the 3.5.
I would not be afraid to buy a used EB engine, just make sure to change the plugs if you can't verify when/if they have been changed. On the 3.5 it's a pretty easy job to tackle for people with even little mechanical ability. On the test drive just make sure to listen on the cold start for the rattle they can get and if it has it walk away.
these internet forums are a great source for information but they can make less common problems seem bigger than they are. When I bought my '01 I was sure the 5.4 was going to start spitting plugs out from what I read on here but that ended up being a very reliable engine. I'd be more hesitant to buy an older 5.0 than the 3.5.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,278
Likes: 1,658
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
Technology has come long ways, i remember also those people saying it was junk and that the turbo's were a 100k maintance item lol..... When my 87 nissan 300zx was stock i raised my boost level to 16 PSI (stock was 7lbs) i beat the poor **** out of that turbo and took the beating for 2 years and that was with a stock 150k turbo. The Ecoboost proved itself and would be a good contender if they ever decide to even put it on a Super Duty.
New User
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
So you're saying that the 5.0L V-8 isn't a complex engine with tight controls? The 5.0L makes a portion of the 40% of non ecoboost trucks sold and yet it appears to be no more reliable than the ecoboost.
My '88 f-150 with the 5.8L V-8 developed 3 cracks in the block somewhere between the time it was built and 101,000 miles. The block had to be thrown away. That doesn't make the whole family of 5.8L engines bad, just that one.
Sadly the 2004 - 2008 and possibly to 2010 F-150 with the 5.4L is on a 10 worst used vehicles list while the 2011 to current f-150 carries an above average reliability rating from consumer reports and the 2015+ trucks are expected to last 200,000 miles or more based on past reliability.
Too many naysayers.
My '88 f-150 with the 5.8L V-8 developed 3 cracks in the block somewhere between the time it was built and 101,000 miles. The block had to be thrown away. That doesn't make the whole family of 5.8L engines bad, just that one.
Sadly the 2004 - 2008 and possibly to 2010 F-150 with the 5.4L is on a 10 worst used vehicles list while the 2011 to current f-150 carries an above average reliability rating from consumer reports and the 2015+ trucks are expected to last 200,000 miles or more based on past reliability.
Too many naysayers.
Last edited by Thornicator; Jul 14, 2019 at 07:02 PM. Reason: To add
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Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Southern California
Except for the Cracked drum (transmission) and torque converter issues...…………………………. that no one has an answer for (except the aftermarket) for 10+ years? Grin!
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
Well, over a year since my last post on this thread, and I’ll say that while the 5.0L May be better for some, I don’t think the new 2018+ 5.0L is a longevity mill. The changes have me second guessing if I’d ever consider a new 5.0L again, and while we did get my son a 2011 5.0L that seems good, we looked at several 3.5L mills, too. Common denominator for those was good maintenance records and timing belt? chain? (I can’t remember) around 100k.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,840
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From: On the prairie
My 2011's timing chain took a walk at 70k. Bent all the intake valves, but thankfully didn't harm any pistons. We never ran the oil over 4k. This was partly my fault. I knew the chain was going bad, but everyone I spoke to (yes even at the dealer) told me this was a non interference engine. I had just bought all the parts 3 days earlier. Then my wife calls and says it won't run at all. So I pull it apart and while I'm turning the engine by hand it comes to a hard stop. That's when my stomach sank...
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