Ford technician and purveyor of the YouTube channel FordTechMakuloco, Brian Makuloco, has churned out his fair share of interesting and informative videos pertaining to common issues with a wide berth of Blue Oval models and specific powerplants over the years – many of them addressing the EcoBoost family, specifically. This includes the twin turbocharged 3.5L V6 EcoBoost and some of its more baffling issues, and now, Makuloco is back with another clip revolving around common problems that particular powerplant is susceptible to.
In this new video, Makuloco discusses the second-generation 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine, specifically, which is known to have a few problems that tend to plague vehicles like the 2017-2020 Ford F-150 and 2018-2020 Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator. The first pertains to the phasers, which can rattle upon startup until oil pressure improves and locks them in place, but replacing those parts is a time consuming and complicated task – which is precisely why Makuloco recommends replacing some other notoriously troublesome parts while doing this job as well.
Along with the new phaser design that eliminates the original’s rattling issue, our resident tech recommends replacing the tensioner arms and guides, intake gaskets, oil pump gasket, oil ring, one-time use bolts, and the thermostat housing bypass gasket, as well as sticky solenoids, the high-pressure line, and molded connection hoses – all of which are components that tend to fail over time.
Makuloco also discusses why he likes to replace parts like the water pump, which tends to leak and fail prematurely, as well as valve covers that like to crack and leak oil, plus the o-rings and gaskets, thermostat housing, oil cap, and the two-piece oil pan, which is highly susceptible to leaks and can be swapped out for a one-piece unit. Of course, doing all of this can cost upwards of $6,000, but as Makuloco notes, it’s also a good way to save some time, money, and labor later on down the road.
This is just the latest EcoBoost focused video Makuloco has shared, and each contains some valuable information for owners – even more so for those that have higher-mileage examples or plan on keeping those vehicles for a long time. That list includes an easy way to address carbon buildup, various leaks, and why aggressive tunes aren’t a great idea for EcoBoost powerplants, too.
We’ll have more interesting videos like this to share soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authorityfor the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
Classic ecoboom
Brian nails it every time he does a video!
The only part of “Eco” in a Ecoboost is the parts guy & mechanics Economy ($$$$) improves by the dollars needed to repair these scrap piles!
New Tech: Replace more parts.
Stretch to yield bolts, molded o-ring hoses are a joke!
This video makes me sick ! I was a shop foreman for twenty years carrying the Ford flag. Now you could not give me one !!! $6500 tune up ? Are you crazy? You finally pay off the loan then you have to take out another one to pay for just the engine repair ? The transmission is next! I drive a ‘14 Pilot with 265K on it yes I did adjust the valves once and spark plugs but that’s it !!!! Original coolant hoses etc. My ‘06 CR-V has 300K now. I did have to replace the valve cover gasket and a two formed O rings for some VTEC solenoids. I know Ford could make something even better, they won’t. I take care of a fleet now, Fords, I will not get ANY ecojunk. Well I did inherit a ‘14 Escape ecojunk it started drinking coolant at 97K and then hydro locked #3 cylinder. Auctioned that thing. Oh well I’m happy Brian is making a good living off them.
I bought my ’17 Mustang 3.7 on the premise that the engine is bulletproof.
6500?!? At what point in it’s life does this happen? Hopefully after 250,000 miles. Wtaf.
Malacuaco really knows his stuff, I appreciate him sharing the knowledge concerning the Ford 4.6 L sparkplug blowout probable msg some had , which has been resolved by torturing the plugs in 22-25 lbs instead of factory spec which is 13 lb ,no problems so far , knock on wood, Thanks Brian😊
I have no head lights or fog lights on a 2013 f150
We have a ’16 Explorer Sport EcoBeast 4×4, 175,000 miles, recently replaced a cam position sensor, (myself) but still has original timing chain/ water pump. We change the oil at the dealer reliously, and are putting a few bucks aside for the chain replacement when it comes time,