Considering getting a Ranger but have read some negative comments about the history of the 2.7L engine. Are such comments accurate? Old and issues addressed? Inaccurate? Thanks.

 

It's a junk engine with severe design flaws.... I don't care what year you look at. Just the cooling system design is enough to either lease it or run away from it..... they had cooling problems- to resove these the drilled a very tiny hole 1/16" or less in diameter in between the cylinder cooling jackets to aide in the heat transfer. Did it work- yes....now tell me how long those holes are going to remain open, unclogged, etc. IMHO, just until you are outside of warranty... unless you use a magnesium anode and flush the cooling system every 3 years or so - as compared to the 100k mile oem service interval.

Let's not forget about the turbo coking that IS going to occur.... Ford considers that a "Maintenance item"- because the "gates" are integrated into the turbo housing, you have to pull the entire turbo assembly to get to it.... yeah. That will take a few $100 bills out of your pocket.

Here's just a quick overview of the issues...
Oil pan leaks due to plastic oil pan- no repair possible only pan replacement
Carbon deposits buildup
Head gasket failure/Broken head gaskets
Cylinder head damage
Faulty spark plugs and ignition coils
Coolant leaks
ECT and PCM issues
Engine warning light illumination

 

I get the desire for more power but the 2.3L is a great engine and will run tirelessly for a very long time.

Personally, I think Ford would do well to dump the 2.7L and use the 3.0L instead.

 

Wouldn't mind the 3.0L at all if offered through the line up. And a long bed.

 

The 3.0 is available in the Raptor editions of the Bronco and Ranger and the Explorer ST. I haven't heard one bad thing about it but in the Explorer, it seems a tad thirsty.

I agree with you sir, full line up offering.

 

I have one in my 2024 Ranger Lariat FX4. My friends have them in their F-150's. Yes they have had past issues but these have been cleared up. Change the oil at least every 5,000 miles and you will be fine. I am a retired FoMoCo experimental / prototype engine mechanic and have worked on these engines since their birth. In my opinion they are very good engines.

 

This is great information and thank you sir for chiming in!

I'd like to ask a question concerning your oil change cycle.

I'm not sure what Ford is recommending these days on the 2.7L but in my 2.3L, Ford says that I can go 10K between dumps, same with my 2011 3.5L. I would never dream of going 10K on either engine, in fact, I dump between 5K and 6K using full synthetic on both with a MC oil filter.

What's the "true" opinion at Ford Motor regarding dump cycles? It's a well known fact that Ford is motivated to lower the cost of maintenance at least for the original purchaser.

I took this off topic and I apologize for that but inquiring minds need to know.

 

This says it all......

 

The engineering is phenomenal! Fixed all the issues....I don't think so...... let's just look at the cooling (overheating) issue. ok, so you guys drilled a tiny hole (less than 1/16" diameter) through the cooling jackets to increase heat transfer - and it worked. you are right. We have a mix of metals that comprise the assembly, and although the new gen of coolant does address the enhanced corrosion inhibitor requirement, just how long are those tiny holes going to remain open- throughout the 100k coolant life? I really have my doubts here (coming from the aerospace industry)- although I am not an engineer as my dad was...... he demonstrated to me the "faulty" assumptions made on this and previous designs prompting me to run magnesium anodes in all my vehicles (sometimes combining a zinc- 1st stage and magnesium- 2nd stage). The plastic portion of the radiator in my wife's 1997 cougar cracked at the 17-year mark, with the heater core getting a pinhole seam leak at 19 years. My 2006 Mark LT, no issues yet.... but it certainly eats that anode up at about 3 times the rate of the Cougar...... and 10 times that of our 1965 Ford.

Even with the routine contamination that occurs, I have doubts that those tiny holes will remain open for the life of the engine and when they do clog, the only answer to cleaning them out is an engine teardown. As far as coking of the turbo's, yes, it is still an issue..... is it delayed until it is outside of the oem warranty- yes. Is the owner told "this is a maintenance item"- yes. Are they happily surprised with being handed an estimate for $3k. Happily.

 

I understand that but thank you. That's why I dump my oil early and always have. But Ford on the hand says that's it's perfectly fine to run an extended dump cycle of up to 10K or when the OLM triggers and tells the owner that it's time. That's where my daughter is right now with her 2018 3.5L F-150 and I can't for the life of me convince her to go about business as if the OLM wasn't there and revert back to a 5K dump cycle. I guess a 30 year old has lived long enough to know better.

I think it's irresponsible of Ford to recommend this maintenance cycle, oil changes aren't that expensive compared to major internal work.

One only needs to take a peak at KIA / Hyundai, Subaru and all the Euro trash turbo motors out there to see real issues. Ford has done quite well with some of the eco engines in comparison but they last longer with a more aggressive maintenance cycle.

 

Tseekins, I change my oil every 5,000 miles or less. When I first get a new vehicle I drive it home and dump the oil. I now have 140,000 miles on my 2015 F-150 FX4 3.5L engine with no problems. Our 2015 Lincoln MKX 3.7L had 110,000 miles no problems. I use 5W-30 Amsoil Signature synthetic oil in all my vehicles along with Motorcraft oil filters. I don't think our new Ranger Lariat FX4 2.7L will ever see 100,000 miles now that we are retired but you never know. I will keep all informed on this engines lifespan and hope to disprove all naysayers.

 

I appreciate you circling back. It's actually refreshing to me to see a Ford engineer not use MC oil. To me, that's a purist mindset. I use Castrol Edge full synthetic 5w30 but in truth, any API rated is fine.

 

tim
your not alone with using edge,i've been since VW mandated us at the dealer levels to use it in the first turbo's we had, people who didn't or had elcheapo changes done at the local car washes fast lubes ,OMG the issues with turbo's and sludge,
my 2015 escape had the 2.0l when traded in it had 100k on it, changed every 5k with 5w30 edge with a mc filter , zero coking issues zero sludge

as to a ranger,i'm in the market , i wish ford would again offer a supercab with a a 6 foot bed, give us a 3.5 from the exploder and the long missed STICK shift .i don't want a more door with a worthless short box that barely lets one lay a fishing pole in

 

Charlie.g, I agree with what you say on the bed choices, larger engine, and the stick shift. My old 2004 Ranger had the 4.0L V6 engine and a stick. This new 2024 Ranger was for my wife and our Labrador. It replaced her Lincoln MKX. We live in the Huron National Forest on a dirt road in Northern MI. and she needed a truck. I can always use my Big boy F-150 if needed.

 

you make me wish the frame on my 92 ranger hadn't taken the nj road rust toll, that german built v6 was a beast , the mazda stick trans a dream .only item after market i gave it was a limited slip to the rear diff, since at the time it was not a option in any trim
f150 sorry
i had to go lemon law on our 23 as it had the max tow option and that axle failed in AK while on a vacay towing our camper ,dead center between anchorage and fairbanks causing a flat tow to the nearest dealer in fairbanks and no real repair known at the time .