In the world of turbochargers and supercars, Ford is a very well-known name. While other automobile manufacturing companies are dedicated to bringing forth a supercar for racing or a normal car for regular use, Ford continuously raises the bar by using turbochargers to pack a serious punch into small engines while keeping the fuel efficiency high. Although the Ford 2.7L EcoBoost engine is excellent, no engine comes without any problems.
The following article will review the specifications of the Ford 2.7l EcoBoost engine and its overall performance and reliability.
What is a 2.7 turbo engine?
The 2.7 turbo engine is designed to use in light-duty trucks. It is a 60-degree V6 engine designed for front-wheel drive vehicles, but later on, it was adopted to rear-wheel-drive cars. The turbochargers ensure better performance and power to tow and greater longevity with the use of premium fuel.
2.7L Version history
Ford developed the 1st generation EcoBoost engine back in 2015. It is a turbocharged, direct-injection gasoline engine manufactured in the USA at the Lima plant in Ohio. This engine was first introduced for the F-150. Later on, a wide variety of cars such as Ford Edge sport, Fusion Sport, Lincoln MKX used this engine.
The second generation appeared in 2018 with a new model of F-150. The 2.7l Ecoboost V6 engine had several upgrades. The crucial upgrades included a new high-pressure exhaust gas reticulation system (EGR), direct injection combined with port injection, new turbochargers along with an electrically actuated wastegate, to name a few. Along with some other minor changes, the new 2.7l EcoBoost engine became more reliable and efficient than the previous generation.
The Most Common 7 Problems of 2.7L Ecoboost
Carbon build-up issues-
This is a problem with the first generation EcoBoost as there is no port injection system. Calling it a problem is unfair because all the engines with direct injection suffer from carbon build-up.
The oil blow-by of the engines reaches the intake ports and valves through the intake tract and deposits. As DI (Direct Injection) sprays into the cylinder directly, no fuel cleans up the intake ports and valves.
The oil sticks and hardens over time on the valves causing carbon build-up. It is not a big enough issue, and some Ford 2.7l V6 engines can run their whole lives without washing the intake valves.
However, Ford addressed the problem by adding port injection on the second-generation engines. Thus, it ensures less carbon build-up as the fuel washes over the intake valves.
Oil pan leaking-
It mostly affects the 2015-2017 1st generation 2.7l Nano engines. As the oil pans were made out of plastic, they expanded while containing hot engine oil, and the oil pan could seal the block. After the sealant fails, oil starts leaking. In 2018, Ford resolved the issue by remodeling the oil pan design. Notably, Ford resolved the issue fairly quickly.
Misfiring problem-
Noises like sputtering and coughing comes out of the engine when starting it. The chief reason behind it is a faulty ignition coil.
Rough Idling-
The idle speed becomes unstable and rises or falls abruptly. Hence, the car may stall or have high speed in idle and waste more fuel.
Stuttering/hesitation-
The overall performance of the car reduces because of a malfunctioning ignition coil. Upon start-up, the car becomes rougher behind the wheels.
Power loss issues- It can also occur because of a faulty ignition coil. The car’s acceleration becomes slower, and it feels like the car’s performance has dropped to some extent.
Check engine light code-
The check engine light on the dashboard glows continuously, mostly because of an ignition coil failure. If scanned with a car diagnostic tool, engine code P0351 (Ignition coil- Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction) shows up.
Broken head gaskets-
Head gaskets sit between the cylinder block and engine head to create an airtight seal in the combustion engines. Thus, combustion reaction can safely happen within the cylinder. As it is needed to maintain compression in the cylinder, the pressure and the heat can affect the head gasket over time.
A blowout happens when the pressure physically breaks the gasket. Several other problems happen when the head gasket blows.
The external coolant leaks beneath the exhaust manifold, white smoke may come from the exhaust, oil becomes milky or frothy, frequent cylinder misfires, to name a few.
Cylinder head damage-
This problem can happen because of improper assembly. If the components are not aligned correctly, the cylinder head takes damage, so you should double-check the setup before proceeding further.
The engine needs cleaning frequently-
Again, this is a problem with the 1st generation engines. As there are direct injectors, dirt and fuel accumulate quite fast. In the worst-case scenario, you have to replace the engine completely.
Costly synthetic oil-
One of the many problems of Ford 2.7l Ecoboost is that it requires premium-quality synthetic oil, which is quite expensive. So, it will be a problem if you are trying to cut costs. Then again, the low fuel consumption makes up for the expensive oil. By using high-quality oil, the longevity of the engine also increases.
FAQ
Is the Ford 2.7 EcoBoost reliable?
The Ford 2.7 Ecoboost gets above-average marks for reliability as it doesn’t suffer from any major complications with proper maintenance and care. There can be some minor problems. However, those are solvable quite easily at an affordable price.
How many miles will a 2.7 EcoBoost last?
The engine can last well over 200,000 miles with adequate maintenance and care. The timely repairing and replacement of spark plugs, filters, oils, and transmission fuels will ensure that the engine lasts well past the benchmark distance with ease.
Is Ford having problems with EcoBoost?
Ford EcoBoost engines are a series of turbocharged engines designed to be a more cost-effective engine for the company and drivers. The engines are on par with larger displacement engines, all the while providing better fuel efficiency. Hence, the engines have become popular as Ford lived up to their promises of providing decent torque and power while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Are 2.7 engines bad?
The 2.7 engines provide horsepower of 315 to 335 and torque of 340 to 400, which is enough for most people, although it does not provide as much power as the larger 3.5 engines. The advantage is that it comes at an affordable price. Even though no engines are perfect, the 2.7 EcoBoost provides excellent results with timely maintenance.
Will EcoBoost engines last?
The EcoBoost engines would certainly last for a long time with a tough and solid build. The engine can easily push beyond its benchmark distance of 200,000 and go hundreds of thousand miles more with regular maintenance, servicing and care.
How long do turbos last on 2.7 EcoBoost?
The turbos on 2.7 EcoBoost can last 150,000 miles or more if the air filters are replaced diligently; the turbos last longer. If the air filters are not swapped regularly, dust and sand particles damage the blades and shaft, resulting in oil leaks into the intake or exhaust.
Does the 2.7 EcoBoost have a turbo?
2.7 EcoBoost does have a turbocharged punch, providing plenty of power. A 325 and 400 pounds-feet torque horsepower helps achieve 20 MPG (miles per gallon) in the city and 26 MPG highway fuel economy. The turbocharged torque output ensures towing up to 8500 pounds with ease.
How do you stop oil sludge in a 2.7 engine?
While servicing the oil filter, it is vital to inspect the oil-filter housing center stem to verify that it is not damaged or detached. If damaged or detached from the housing, oil flow through the reservoir drain port will cause internal engine damage and low engine oil pressure. Hence, if the filter housing stem is damaged, the oil filter housing has to be changed.
What year did Chrysler fix the 2.7 engine?
The 2.7 V6 was modified in 2004 for use in the LX series to get low-speed torque while launching and during mid-range operation for better performance in regular driving. There were persistent problems with the engine and too many owners complained about it. Later in 2011, before starting with the Pentastar V6, the 2.7 V6 engine was phased out of favor.
Does the 2.7 EcoBoost have forged internals?
Inside the 2.7 EcoBoost, the block is manufactured from compacted graphite iron (CGI), I-beam connecting rods in the engine, exhaust manifolds integrated into the cast aluminum heads are water-cooled. Also, the twin turbocharger provides a healthy boost in performance.
