Hi Everyone: I'm posting for my buddy who is on a trip 4 week trip across the USA towing his 6,500 lb. camper with his wife and teenaged boys.

He has a 2013 F-150 XLT with the Ecoboost. He has 29,000 miles on the truck.

He is ~1,300 miles into his trip; and has about another 4,500 to go! On Friday, his check engine light came on (while towing). The next day it went back off. Yesterday, the light came back on (while not towing this time). He took the truck into a Ford Dealer in Rapid City, SD this morning. The CEL light was still on this morning when he arrived at the dealership. The dealership said the code is P0299 - Turbo Underboost. They said they've run tests and can find nothing wrong. Naturally, he is not very happy being this far from home with 3 more weeks of vacation left and his truck acting up. Especially since the CEL light is on but the dealer can find nothing wrong. I'd be puckered-up too!

Has anyone else experienced this Turbo Underboost condition? If so, what was the cause? How can the CEL light be on but the dealership not be able to find a problem?

He knows I belong to this forum; he called and asked me to post this question in hopes of finding a solution. Thanks in advance for any input you may have.

 

I didn't mention (because I didn't think it was related, but I may be wrong), that the day before he and his wife heard a "swishing" sound coming from behind the firewall. It did not occur with the CEL though.

Upon doing some reading, I'm wondering if the noise they heard is relevant; I wonder if his waste gate is acting up. If so, what is the failure rate? He is currently in Cody, WY near Yellowstone. From here he heads to Taos, NM; from there across the bottom of the US back up to Akron, OH. I hope his truck makes it!! That's a long way to go on not knowing. Incidentally, the CEL came back on after leaving the dealership in Rapid City on the way to Cody. How super frustrating for him in a nearly new truck!

EDIT: I have to wonder if the ecoboost was a bad engine choice in a vehicle intended for long distance towing vacations and a daily driver. The 5.0 or 6.2 dont have the ecoboost technology that can't be diagnosed when something goes wrong (unless it fails completely).

 

Could be a bad BOV. Releasing before building enough boost. Things like that do fail every now and then. At least the issue is recorded with Ford since he is still under the powertrain warranty. He might still be under the bumper to bumper for that matter. The EB has more working components that have a chance to fail but there are so many out there that have zero issues, I wouldn't call it a bad choice. It makes tons of power that seems to be endless at times.

 

Well, it seems faulty wastegate is the winner...Pasted from another forum. Requires turbo replacement.

P0299 - Turbocharger/Supercharger A Underboost Condition


Description: The powertrain control module (PCM) continuously monitors the turbocharger system for an underboost condition.
The PCM checks for a minimum throttle intake pressure (TIP) PID reading during engine operation, which indicates an underboost condition. This DTC sets when the PCM detects that the actual throttle intake pressure is less than the desired throttle intake pressure by 27.6 kPa (4 psi) or more for 5 seconds.
Possible Causes: Damaged turbocharger (TC) wastegate regulating valve solenoid
TC wastegate regulating solenoid valve stuck
Wastegate stuck open
Wastegate control hose open or plugged
Air leak between turbocharger and throttle

Diagnostic Aids: Check tubing for obstructions, cracks and incorrect fitting connections.
Check the turbocharger wastegate regulating valve solenoid for correct operation.
Application Key On Engine Off Key On Engine Running Continuous Memory
All GO to Pinpoint Test HN .

 

Thanks for the help. That's what i concluded after realizing the sound they heard the day before was likely related. It's good to hear your assessment too. He and I bought our trucks 2 weeks apart in May of 2013. They have been out of b2b warrantee since May. I recommended he try letting the truck cool off for a few minutes before shutting down to let the turbo cool down. The issue seems to occur after the truck has been shut off hot and restarted within an hour.

The issue is not going away though. I'm not sure he'll make the rest of this trip without a total failure. At least it's covered by the powertrain warrantee. He's still in Yellowstone and has almost 4,500 miles of towing left. Plus, there are several mountains he'll have to climb.

Thanks again for posting!

 

So, 'to close the loop' on this thread, after a 6,701 mile trip over 31 days, my buddy took his truck to his home dealer. They are replacing both turbos. The dealership said by the time he finished his trip, there were now enough codes in the computer to know it was the wastegate was not closing properly. I'm glad his dealer took care of the problem and is fixing his truck. Well done, in the long run albeit, Ford.

 

Turns out there is a TSB on this. The receipt from his dealer says:

Actuators binding and leaking. Refer to TSB #16-0013. ECC Test, received code P0299. Engine build date before 2/28/15. perform turbocharger wastegate tests per TSB. Found left bank wastegate actuator does not move smoothly and is binding. Found right bank wastegate will not hold pressure @ 3 psi and up, air leak heard from actuator diaphragm, does not hold pressure at all. Replace left and right turbochargers per TSB #16-0013. Clear code, retest system operation & road test. OK.

I wonder what they changed in the engine design after 2/28/15?