Ecoboost 3.5 Engine temp while towing uphill

[kscherzi]

The ecoboost 3.5 are very powerful motors. While towing my trailer back to the storage yard there's a long 2 mile 6% uphill grade. Entered the grade going 60 mph and floored it, let off the gas before reaching the top at 85 mph, it was still accelerating.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Peter417

Probably better for a new thread, but how many are people putting on these motors?

I have 43k miles on my '17 Lariat (including 2020's extremely low usage) with half of that towing the 26U.

[DCPAS]

Originally Posted by Peter417

Probably better for a new thread, but how many are people putting on these motors?

We only have 26K on ours with about 8K towing. Last fall we did a 2,500 mile trip. I changed the oil prior to and not too long after we got home at 3,200 miles. Send a sample off for analysis. Came back fine, but what was interesting to me was the lab said that my 3,200 mile oil showed typical wear for a 6,100 mile use. Probably not unique to this engine, but it is convincing me to change oil frequently.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by DCPAS

. . .
. . . but it is convincing me to change oil frequently.

For other-than-light-duty vehicles, this has been our practice for almost 50 years. All work/delivery vans, tow vehicles, and so forth.

"An ounce of prevention . . . "

High ratio of reward vs. cost IMO.

[kscherzi]

I have about 70k on my 2017 F150, about 35k pulling a 27FB.

Worth noting, the 2017 F150 3.5 ecoboost was a new redesigned engine, only the displacement the same as the 3.5 used in 2016 and earlier. More powerful and different materials. Also the 10 speed transmission was new for 2017. So a few bugs are to be expected. I had hoped for very few bugs and bought the truck, luckily opted for the extended warranty.

First problem was the overheating issue noted in this thread. Dealer couldn't figure out the problem. I think its just baked into this model year. Common issue on the F150 forums.

Second problem the 4wd engagement system redesigned, now driven by vacuum not electricity. My trucks front wheel splines would try to engage prior to spinning up to correct rpm making a frightening loud grinding noise and vibration in the steering wheel. In shock I'd let off the gas and the noise stopped. Took two dealerships.to find the root of the problem. Fix was a complex $900 valve thing for the vacuum system. Another common problem on the F150 forum.

Third problem was oil pan leak. Apparently the oil pan is plastic, engine block is aluminum. The fix ia a highly technical process to glue the two together at a cost of $1,100. Another common issue on the forums. Google F150 oil pan leak for fun.

Good news is the above issues seem to have been addressed in 2019 and later models.

[gypsydad]

I had 140K miles on my 2014 EB pulling 3 different 25's over 5 years. No real issues other then those mentioned. The 2017 F250 6.7L, I have 114K now...48K towing the 28'..again, no issues.

[Peter417]

Let me ask it this way, how many miles do you think these motors will last?

[AlbertF]

The OP asked if 226 degrees was an issue while climbing. It’s not. The boiling point of coolant is over 250. Temperatures in the 230s are more common than most people realize.

Someone else mentioned that their temperature gauge doesn’t move when climbing. This doesn’t mean much; you need a precise readout to be able to tell. I’ve had a vehicle where the temp gauge showed the same from 180 to 232 degrees. Most temperature gauges work like this. Our current tow vehicle doesn’t even have one; I use a ScanGauge II.

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by AlbertF

Most temperature gauges work like this. Our current tow vehicle doesn’t even have one; I use a ScanGauge II.

I have a ScanGauge II also and coolant temp is one of my monitored functions. It reports degree by degree and I can even see the small fluctuation of the thermostat cycling to control engine temp.

Plugs into diagnostic port, small box, easy setup and many user selectable monitor choices plus scanning.

[Rdavenp3]

I have a 2017 3.5 EcoBoost and had the engine started to overheat while pulling my 23’ up Grand Mesa in Colorado. Luckily, there was a pull off and we let the truck cool down while we ate lunch. Turning off the A/C helped a little, but I agree that this model year engine seems to run hot.

[DCPAS]

Originally Posted by Peter417

Let me ask it this way, how many miles do you think these motors will last?

I did a lot of reading before I bought my 2018. The first generation had timing chain issues and you have read here some of issues with the early (2017) second generation engines. Significant to my decision was that there seem to be no huge problems with the turbos or premature wear from being a boosted engine. I'm thinking that with more frequent than scheduled oil changes because towing is thought on an engine, these engines should have a long life, but no one can say for sure.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by AlbertF

The OP asked if 226 degrees was an issue while climbing. It’s not. The boiling point of coolant is over 250. Temperatures in the 230s are more common than most people realize.

Someone else mentioned that their temperature gauge doesn’t move when climbing. This doesn’t mean much; you need a precise readout to be able to tell. I’ve had a vehicle where the temp gauge showed the same from 180 to 232 degrees. Most temperature gauges work like this. Our current tow vehicle doesn’t even have one; I use a ScanGauge II.

On the Lariat and higher in 2017, the tach and speedo are the only physical gauges and the others are digital representations of analog gauges. When the engine temperature climbs a bit, the gauge changes from the simple arc indicator between C and H to add a numeric readout of the exact temperature above the arc. I presume the blue arc will also change to red if the temp gets to a level the engineers deemed concerning, but thus far I've only seen the numbers appear (and that only a few times.)

I *THINK* the 2021+ trucks get a digital dash across the board, or at least available from XLT up, but I'm not certain of that... it may still be just the high-trim trucks.

[kscherzi]

I can tell you what happens to the temp gauge. Initially, and most of the time, its just a blue arc parked in the middle of the temperature range. As temps rise the blue arc grows in size and around 225 degrees the number appears above the blue arc. Around 245 or so the number and blue arc turns red (or yellow, I forget which). Above that there's a ding and a message appears on the screen telling you the engine is overheating and has turned off the turbos now running in a low power mode.

Its pretty obvious when that happens to the driver as the truck really bogs down. If I'm climbing the grade at 55 mph, it slows to 30 mph. But within a minute or less the engine cools enough to spool up the turbos again.

I find this only happens at altitude on warm to hot days, and on really long grades. On those grades I've seen the boost gauge pegged at 20 psi, so the engine is working really hard. Where I live and camp I have to cross several 7,000 and 8,000 foot passes so I get the opportunity to see my truck overheat every summer.

[cyclecrazy]

I sold the 2017 3.5 Ecoboost Lariat several days ago and purchased a 2020 F-250 6.7l Powerstroke Deisel Lariat with the high capacity towing package (10,800 GVWR). My 2017 F-150 was wonderful and I used it to tow 23,000 miles. Never had a mechanical issue and I made a point of changing oil every 4,000 miles! I so appreciated feedback on my post!

[ExploreUT]

Originally Posted by cyclecrazy

I sold the 2017 3.5 Ecoboost Lariat several days ago and purchased a 2020 F-250 6.7l Powerstroke Deisel Lariat with the high capacity towing package (10,800 GVWR). My 2017 F-150 was wonderful and I used it to tow 23,000 miles. Never had a mechanical issue and I made a point of changing oil every 4,000 miles! I so appreciated feedback on my post!

Nice upgrade. Congratulations.

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by cyclecrazy

tow a 25' Airstream (5.5k trailer weight

That's the dry weight. Our's is about 6,600 loaded for travel.

[drbrick]

2013 F-150 3.5 eco I removed the plastic shroud on the inner cooler to increase air flow and I never run out side the recommended temp - up hill or down (tow haul uses engine breaking going down hill)

[Eyefound1]

I know the tow capacity of the F150 eco boost is high but aren’t you exciting the load capacity of your truck with the 25’ flying cloud, passengers and gear?

[DCPAS]

Originally Posted by Eyefound1

I know the tow capacity of the F150 eco boost is high but aren’t you exciting the load capacity of your truck with the 25’ flying cloud, passengers and gear?

Payload limitations in 1/2 ton is a frequent topic here. You have to know your numbers (payload, axle ratings, combined weight) and live within them. Stuff may need to ride in the trailer instead of the truck, for example. Once you know your numbers (Cat Scale) and if you can live with the loading limits, a 1/2 ton will pull a 25 well. If you are a couple with teenagers and lots of gear that has to go in the truck, then it won't.

[dscowan]

I live in the west and tying to tow over mountain passes with our 2017 expedition EL and the six-cylinder eco-boost is not a great experience. We have a 25 foot safari and also a 2013 F150 with the 5 L V8. I absolutely hate the eco-boost six and will take exception with anybody that thinks that is a good engine in a pickup truck. Our truck gets about 3 miles per gallon better mileage doesn’t break a sweat when towing and the engine temperatures barely fluctuate whether I’m towing or not towing. I will not be buying another expedition unless Ford goes back to V-8 and I will never buy an F150 with the eco-boost. So the short answer to your question is yes it makes those engines work much harder.and overheat.