Ecoboost idle not smooth

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Aug 15, 2017 | 07:32 PM

broncoholic

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 1,082

Likes: 40

From: Melbourne, FL

Ecoboost idle not smooth

We picked up a used CPO 2016 XLT with 32k miles (rental) in May. My wife is really enjoying it, and I'm enjoying her hand-me-down 2003 EB (we've had since 2004). I've noticed an occasional stumble at idle on the ecoboost. It's not really rough like a full miss, just not really smooth like I'd expect a newer engine to be. Is this somewhat normal for the eco's? I've never had a turbo'd engine before, is it normal for that? I've searched a little and seen some info about oil getting into the boost pipes and owners installing catch cans to help. Anyone have any experience with this?

Aug 17, 2017 | 05:00 AM

somethingclever

Cargo Master

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 3,217

Likes: 321

From: SW PA

Mine does it too.

I think the programming engineers were drunk when they did the engine and trans tuning.

Aug 17, 2017 | 05:50 AM

glockholiday

Laughing Gas

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 861

Likes: 7

From: AZ

Mine will idle a little rough and maybe give a stumble on take off once every few months. Usually if it's been driven easy for a while. Especially in rainy weather, lots of moisture in the air. A good flooring it up to freeway speeds and it clears right up.

I will never drill a hole in my intercooler like some have mentioned on here before to help with the condensation in the intercooler problem. That equals a boost leak which being a former diesel owner is a huge no no.

The idle is also a lot smoother since I changed my spark plugs and gapped them a little tighter (.030).

Try driving it with the tow haul mode on, I keep it on all the time, helps with the lag off the start which I think some people think is the engine hesitating but it's the transmission taking its sweet *** time deciding what to do.

Aug 17, 2017 | 06:43 AM

broncoholic

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 1,082

Likes: 40

From: Melbourne, FL

I don't feel there's any lag, hesitation, or stumble from a stop, other than typical turbo lag. It's just that the idle isn't perfectly smooth, doesn't matter if it's in park or drive. I'd say it's perfect other than that. I planned on asking the service group about the idle when it goes in for oil change in 2 weeks. I wanted to hear from some other owners first.

Oh, and there's no way I would consider drilling a hole in the intercooler. That sounds like some shady shade tree backwoods advice right there.

Aug 17, 2017 | 09:12 AM

gpfarrell

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 336

Likes: 1

From: Pittsburgh!

My '16 can be surprisingly lumpy... usually on a cold start. It's quite possible the programming engineers were consuming a few beers. Actually runs fine, but the first time I noticed it at idle I feared it wouldn't be roadworthy that day!

Aug 17, 2017 | 10:40 AM

FreeWill

Cross-Country

Joined: Jun 2017

Posts: 69

Likes: 0

2016, same here. A slight rumble at lowest idle from time to time. No hesitation. No issues. Great gas mileage. Not going to worry about it.

Aug 17, 2017 | 11:01 AM

broncoholic

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 1,082

Likes: 40

From: Melbourne, FL

Have any of you had yours since new so you can say if it's always been this way? My slight concern is, if it was smooth when new and not smooth now, how is it gonna run in 5 years? If it's always been this way and it's common among these trucks, then I'm not really concerned.