Technician and purveyor of the YouTube channel FordTechMakuloco, Brian Makuloco, has produced quite a few 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. Makuloco has worked on a ton of EcoBoost-powered Fords in his shop over the years, many of them Ford F-150 pickups, and as such, he has some good insight into which engines available in that pickup are the most reliable, as well as which ones shoppers might want to consider avoiding.
In a recent post on Instagram, Makuloco shared a bit of quick, consolidated insight into this topic. “I constantly get asked which engine should I choose for my F-150,” he wrote. “This is the way I see it from a mechanic’s perspective: If you want power, reliability and oil leaks, go with the 2.7L EcoBoost. If you want decent power, reliability and coolant leaks, go with the 5.0L Coyote. If you want plenty of power with coolant AND oil leaks, go with the 3.5L EcoBoost. If you want exceptional reliability with modest power, go with the 3.7L, 3.5L or 3.3L NA engines.”
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Makuloco has covered many Ford F-150 EcoBoost woes in recent times, including several pertaining to the 3.5L V6. That includes the roller followers in the second-generation version of that powerplant, which it uses instead of the direct acting mechanical buckets present on the first-generation version of that same engine, but unfortunately, those components are also apparently coming loose over time and “chewing up” the outer portion of the cam lobe that they come into contact with.
The tech also recently had a total of three Ford F-150 pickups in his shop with the 3.5L EcoBoost recently, all of which were in need of a new engine, and all were from a different model year – 2011, 2015, and 2017. Each had no compression in spite of having relatively few miles on the clock, save for the newer model, which had a second-generation version of this particular powerplant. The newer Ford F-150 was also consuming coolant at an alarming rate, billowing out white smoke while it runs.
Comments
Bottom line is that Ford can’t build a decent engine and hasn’t for 40 years. Ever since around the time of the original Taurus things started going downhill.
Here we are again with another SCEcoBoost negative comment. For all the complaining you do about Ford i dont understand why you would frequent a site for something you dislike so much. Its like you have TDS but with Ford.
Hell hath no fury like an automotive enthusiast scorned.
My 1986 Ford Taurus N/A 3.0L Vulcan V6, I gave away with about 430,000 miles on her.
I had to replace the water pump ECERT 65,000ish miles like clockwork.
You have to love Ford’s planed obsolescent. Very accurate, right after warranties end.
WE the honest people here love Ford, we don’t have TDS, we are hoping that Ford FIX the Eco-Crap and stand behind what they make without layers.
Ford DOES NOT make engines that last anymore.
Ford has cut costs and quality control so much they are losing loyal
customer left and right.
Don’t get me started on the MRSP.
The market is going to crash, and the greedy Auto manufacturers and dealers are going to lose!
I’ve got a 2015 3.5 ecoboost and I’ve had valve cover oil leaks. Currently 130,000. My 2017 ford transit just turned 470,000 miles and my 2011 f150 has 402,000 miles both with the 3.7 v6. Replaced water pumps on both and both have new transmissions. I love my 3.5 so I hope I keep going but hearing all the ecoboost problems worries me. Bring back the 5.4 Triton. My 2007 econoline turned 800,000 miles on the original engine and I was hoping to see a million until I hit a deer. Love that motor
2013,2015,2017 3.5 eco love all of them genevert 21mile gallon on 4×4 pull bassboat never lacking power it race trock
I have two 2018 3.5EBs, one in an Expedition and one in an F-150. The Expy had had cam phasers replaced at 70k miles and the leaky two piece pan fixed multiple times. Now there is a little oil getting by on the passenger turbo, 116k miles. The F-150 has started the cam phaser rattle and has a tick coming from the passenger head, 80k miles. I had a gen1 2015 but did not own it long enough to have problems. I have a 2009 Flex with the 3.5NA and other than the water pump and timing components replaced at 170k it is doing great at 190k now. I can see Makuloco’s point from my own experiences. I would not go the route of EB any more. I also have some 4.6 2V Grand Marquis and those will run forever.
I have a 2015 Expedition with the 3.5 EcoBoost. At 149,000 miles there are no oil and no coolant leaks. And to date, no repairs (knocking on wood as I say that). Great acceleration, but gas mileage drops like a stone when pulling a trailer.
my coyote engine in my 2011 doesnt leak coolant runs pretty decent for 160k mi but uses oil i looked uo solutions one was pcm update to lower the flow of oil when it goes past the cylinders i might have said that incorrectly just fyi
I owned a 1974 Ford F-250 Custom 4×4 with the (4.9L) 300 inline-six… now that’s durability and reliability! Not much in the way of “high-performance”, but bulletproof. Wasn’t crazy about the full-time four-wheel-drive New Process 203 transfer case system though, and the ERG valve was a royal pain in the ass, but otherwise, loved the vehicle! With many Ford trucks in between, I now own a 2021 F-150 Lariat 4×4 Hybrid… only 50K so far, but can’t beat the comfort and fuel economy… no issues so far.
Loved the 300 inline six. Had an Econoline, F150, and F250 with that engine. Wish it was still available.
Had a 2018 F-150 STX with a 2.7, traded it at the end of 2020 with 75,000 miles on it, no leaks, no problems. Just wanted a truck with the max tow package.
Traded for a 2020 F-150 with the FX4 and max tow package. The 3.5 engine is a beast, great fuel mileage even while towing. It’s got 125,000 on it now, no problems, just service it and go.
Love it, love it, love it.
Most EcoBoost engines can for oil changes at 5,000 miles and calls for full synthetic oil. The coolant schedule is insane at 10 years or 100,000 miles which ever comes first. Cut the oil changes to every 3k and coolant every 3 years regardless of mileage. Has anyone that owns one done so?
I must be the lucky one. Have had 20 Ford vehicles over 44 years with no engine issues. One vehicle with a 300 had over 300k. I’ve owned 3 F150s, one currently with 150k and none have given me issues. Oil changes at 5k miles.