Is the 2.0 ecoboost engine reliable. I been hearing issues with coolant intrusion resulting in engine replacement.
Whats the word on this engine. Would like to order an an XLT but don’t want to be a bunch of engine trouble.

 

I haven't much of anything negative about the 2.0 but, if I were buying anything from any car builder, I'd buy the extended warranty no matter what.

 

The latest version of the 2.0 ecoboost is a different design than the one with the head gasket leaking problems. The original design was based on a Mazda engine, the latest is a descendent, but not direct. The 2020 and up version is supposed to be reliable.
I hope so as I now have one in the garage.
The technical is that to allow coolant flow, a saw kerf was used between the siamesed portion of the block, between the cylinders. It left a very narrow portion of the cylinder wall to have the head gasket seal to. Actually two very narrow sections, one in each cylinder. Apparently there was not enough material there(In My Opinion) to form a reliable or perhaps long-lasting seal. I think heat-cool cycles moved things more in some peoples engines than others, perhaps based on how the vehicle was driven from a cold start.
Any way, the new design uses a drilled passage, leaving a lot more surface and contact area for the gasket to seal, and only a small diameter hole for the coolant passage. If you look at other engines, say Honda, they also used a saw kerf(in appearance anyway) between siamesed cylinders. Did they have head gasket problems? Apparently theirs were limited to the late 1970's when aluminum heads were used on iron blocks. Maybe.
tom

 

I know a ford mechanic very well, so when I was looking over the Maverick I asked him the same question. Is there anything with the engine that I should know before I buy it? He recommended replacing the water pump at 150,000 but outside of that, he said it's so far proving to be very reliable.
It's not the engines that I worry about, it's all the dang computer controls and sensors that will fail.

 

I wonder if they still have the stupid design of the water pump, so that when it fails, it dumps the water into the oil pan. That's the one thing I despise about the 3.5 in our Edge. I'm pretty sure the 1.6 and 2.0 were the same way.

 

Internal water pump was a FWD Cyclone v6 idea only.

I wouldn’t be as worried about computers and sensors...until one of those sensors picks up something going sideways inside the engine.

 

And, it's just my luck I have one. I knew it when I bought, but I still am getting more nervous the more miles it gets.

 

I am 68 and a fairly semi loyal Ford guy since my first car was a 65 Ranchero. A decent mechanic by trade, years ago I changed to only NEW cars n Trucks with a warranty and paid for dealer service on schedule. For the few trucks I thought were real good and wanted to own until "paid for" I usually got the Factory Extended warranty just before the 3yr/36K crapped out. Like my last 3 suvs/trucks--this Maverick will be traded for something new before warranty has expired. I have resigned myself to always having a "car payment"

Five months into my 22 Maverick it had a serious overheat / AC not cooling problem..... electric fan not kicking on and engine over temp ... dealer found a problem with battery connections and faulty connector to a battery protection circuit. 5 days to get the part, no loaner Grrrrr

Personally I don't have faith in this power train for use outside of warranty. Decision already to replace at 2 to 2.5 year mark. A pity because I bought this Higher end Maverick (Lariat.w Lariat lux) as currently most bang for the buck for my needs.

Sure hope by 2024/25 FoMoCo sorts out these reliability issues

 

At least there is an external indication of oncoming failure instead of just dumping antifreeze/coolant into the sump to make mayo for lube. The 'tell tale' port should indicate coolant leakage if the seal is approaching impending failure. From what I understand.
I just don't get the design. Having an external pump, perhaps powered by an electric motor, would save owners from an expensive repair, even when detected without damaging the engine bearings and crankshaft.
I kind of think designers build in some ticking time bombs that save the manufacturer money on design and build, but will cost the customer enough to make them really really really consider trading for a new vehicle when that 'wear item' comes due for repair. The original FWD Escort 1600 had an Italian cast aluminum cylinder head that would warp at the sneeze of a water pump. At the time, the cost to repair the leaking head gasket, parts and labor, made many Escorts decorate boneyards when the rest of the vehicle was in excellent shape. Was that a by-design ticking cost or was it just the design that was rather fragile? Or was it inferior gasket design due to knowledge & experience with iron block/aluminum head interfaces? In the end it didn't matter as many an Escort was recycled shortly after the last payments was made.
tom