ecoboost engine
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Temple, TX
ecoboost engine
I am looking at a 2013 F350 super crew 4x4 with the EcoBoost engine. Can anyone tell me good or bad things about this engine? Everyone I have talked to seems to love it. What are the pros and cons of it?? I appreciate any input.
Matt Jarma
Temple, TX
54 F350 Script Bed, original 223 with original 4 speed.
Matt Jarma
Temple, TX
54 F350 Script Bed, original 223 with original 4 speed.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,003
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From: Maine, Virginia
I am looking at a 2013 F350 super crew 4x4 with the EcoBoost engine. Can anyone tell me good or bad things about this engine? Everyone I have talked to seems to love it. What are the pros and cons of it?? I appreciate any input.
Matt Jarma
Temple, TX
54 F350 Script Bed, original 223 with original 4 speed.
Matt Jarma
Temple, TX
54 F350 Script Bed, original 223 with original 4 speed.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Pro:
Incredible power and torque, especially with a 5* programmer. Will put almost anything else on the road to shame.
Con:
The only documented bad thing about the egoroost is that you will never get that cool V8 sound. But you can listen to that cool V8 rumble as you pass them...
Incredible power and torque, especially with a 5* programmer. Will put almost anything else on the road to shame.
Con:
The only documented bad thing about the egoroost is that you will never get that cool V8 sound. But you can listen to that cool V8 rumble as you pass them...
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,474
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From: ME
A small percentage of every mass produced engine has problems. I owned an early build 2011 Ecoboost for 3.5 years and never had any issues with it. I've also owned a 2014 for about 10 months and haven't had any issues with it either. I've been driving Ford trucks for over 30 years and the 3.5 Eco has been the most incredible engine I've ever driven in a half ton truck. Makes more power and gets more MPGs than any of my previous F150s.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,474
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From: ME
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From: Sioux Falls Area
If you tow heavy, I like diesel. If you don't tow, I like 5.0. I don't see any real advantage for most people to go with the ecoboost. In my opinion the ecoboost has real narrow range of use and at some point the turbos are going to need replacing and in reality are one more thing to go wrong.
the ecoboost is turning out to be a very robust engine. there have been some reported problems with the timing chains/tensioners, but the rate of failure otherwise is fairly low.
if you are looking at a used one, make sure you can hear a cold start. the colder the better, but if you here some valve train noise at a cold start, i'd pass. If you've got one with tensioner issues, you're kinda screwed at this point as ford has barely acknowledged the problem and offers no fix as of now.
the real advantage to the ecoboost is relatively good mileage day-to-day and monster diesel like torque for towing. don't expect good mileage if you are towing with it, though. at 15psi of boost, you effectively have a 7.0 liter engine and will use fuel like a 7.0 liter engine.
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Senior User
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A very good point, I also tow a large heavy 5th wheel with my 2001 F250 power stroke diesel. The eco is about as close to a diesel in raw stump pulling power than any other gasoline truck I have driven so far. The torque is simply amazing. If you put on a Borla S-Type exhaust the eco sounds like a straight piped Dodge diesel. That would be one of my mods but I am still enjoying the stealth quiet of the stock exhaust.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
52K trouble free miles on my 2011 ecoboost. No foreign noises, no stumbling issues, and nothing but seat of the pants white knuckle power.
I'll buy another and another and another.
I'll buy another and another and another.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
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From: Isanti, MN
The downside to the EcoBoost is the greater range of potential failures. The 5.0L is a complex engine with 4 cam phasers, 32 valves, and spins relatively high to make power. The EcoBoost has all that complexity plus a direct injection system, two turbochargers, and their assorted intake and exhaust piping.
Failures seem to be relatively low, but they seem to happen a bit more than issues with the 5.0 as a result of the greater complexity. I really liked my EcoBoost F150 though, and I'd happily buy another one today.
Failures seem to be relatively low, but they seem to happen a bit more than issues with the 5.0 as a result of the greater complexity. I really liked my EcoBoost F150 though, and I'd happily buy another one today.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
What is with all these people being so afraid of turbos?? I ran the hell out of my 7.3L TURBO diesel at twice the boost levels (from a modified STOCK turbo), twice the hp, and twice the torque for years. Turbo chargers are extremely robust today, especially these since they are fed with both coolant and oil. Every diesel truck (and now every EcoBoost equipped F150) on the road today is putting millions & millions of miles on turbos every day with no issues. I wish people that have zero experience with them would stop perpetuating their unfounded fears.
The advantages of the EcoBoost are the nearly instant torque when needed and the economy when not needed. You simply CANNOT get that with the 5.0L, being naturally aspirated & indirectly injected. For some people, the 5.0L is fine. Others don't want to take twice as long getting up to speed on highways with their tow loads or constant down shifts climbing a hill.
Now that the 6.2L is gone, if you want the torque out of an F150, you have no choice. The 5.0L won't touch it (especially if you add some custom tuning).
The advantages of the EcoBoost are the nearly instant torque when needed and the economy when not needed. You simply CANNOT get that with the 5.0L, being naturally aspirated & indirectly injected. For some people, the 5.0L is fine. Others don't want to take twice as long getting up to speed on highways with their tow loads or constant down shifts climbing a hill.
Now that the 6.2L is gone, if you want the torque out of an F150, you have no choice. The 5.0L won't touch it (especially if you add some custom tuning).
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
I don't tow often but I have towed plenty heavy enough but within the range of a 5.0L truck.
However, what I can get by with, what i'm willing to settle for and what i'm willing to pay are three different things. I can afford an ecoboost truck, I like the way it feels and drives and I'm loving the MPG's.
My dad has had GM 350's, Ford 351's and I've had Ford 302's, 351's and 300's. These engines were of course all mounted in much lighter trucks than we drive today and even with that, they were gas guzzling gutless turds compared to the tiny little twin turbo V-6.
Instead of trying to convince people to buy anything other than an ecoboost vehicle, why don't you try to support Ford and be happy for their success.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 137
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From: Phoenix USA
Having owned 7 Ford F-100 or F-150's over the last 40 years I can say the Ecoboost is the most amazing engine I have ever towed with. It just keeps on building torque and hardly ever downshifts, even in the mountains. I'm towing over 9,500 lbs with it and couldn't be happier. It puts the 2006 5.4 it replaced to shame and that one only had 49,000 miles on it with a Edge Evolution programmer, cat back exhaust, cold air intake and a specially rebuilt transmission specifically for towing.
The only thing I miss at all is the V-8 sound, other than that I'm perfectly satisfied.
The only thing I miss at all is the V-8 sound, other than that I'm perfectly satisfied.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,474
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From: ME
If you ever did tow with an Ecoboost, you would realize that the 3.5 Ecoboost will out tow any other gas engine on the market and make a heavy duty truck w/ diesel overkill for most people that do tow.