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EcoBoost 3.5 Reliability

Chili Palmer

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I’ve got the Raptor bug again, but don’t know about the reliability of the 3.5 EB engine. I’ve got almost 250,000 on my 2011 Duramax and it hasn’t skipped a beat. I keep up on maintenance and the only major repairs have been a water pump, the trans control module, and the motor mounts. The trans is still shifting fine and I’m still on the original rear brakes.

Can I get this kind of reliability out of a late model Raptor?
 

TPC

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Ours had a unresolvable long, long turbo lag. Dunno if that's important or if Ford ever did find a remedy for it.
Not a fan of small turbo engines anymore.
 

Runs2rch

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Seems everything has some sort of issues. No matter the brand or model.

Ordered a 2020 Raptor in Nov. Should be here mid Feb.
 

SpeedyWho

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My ‘17, 45k miles chatters the timing chains on cold startup or if it’s been sitting a day or two. I’m not super impressed with that. I think it’s a simple fix at the dealer but I haven’t taken it in yet(Fleet vehicle). Other wise it’s impressive with power and MPG. Tows my boat like nothing.
 

DLow

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Ours had a unresolvable long, long turbo lag. Dunno if that's important or if Ford ever did find a remedy for it.
Not a fan of small turbo engines anymore.
That’s weird. Mine seems to have no turbo lag and have gone quite a bit bigger on tires.
As far as reliability, I have the Ford extended warranty. I will sell mine before the warranty runs out. NO WAY do I want it without overage. I’m not concerned at all about reliability as it has been solid other than the exhaust manifold/turbo issue that Ford covered, but I don’t want to be on the hook for costs out of pocket if that little engine does ever grenade.
 

Runs2rch

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My ‘17, 45k miles chatters the timing chains on cold startup or if it’s been sitting a day or two. I’m not super impressed with that. I think it’s a simple fix at the dealer but I haven’t taken it in yet(Fleet vehicle). Other wise it’s impressive with power and MPG. Tows my boat like nothing.

Cam Phaser TSB. They have had a few updates. Supposedly the newest version actually remedies the cold soak bleed off.
 

Ol Man

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No issues with my 2012 F150 with only 90K miles. No turbo lag. Never uses oil and runs great.
 

SpeedyWho

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Cam Phaser TSB. They have had a few updates. Supposedly the newest version actually remedies the cold soak bleed off.
That’s what I heard, the local dealer is completely useless and when I told them what it was they didn’t bother to listen. Service advisors don’t listen to people.
 

cofooter

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2016 60K, no issues, no lag, truck is quick, heard issues maybe closer to 100K, may have to sell it before...…...
 

KevinR

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My 2013 Taurus SHO with 3.5 Ecoboost and 82K miles has run like a top. Not one issue.
 

Big B Hova

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I cant stand all the little annoying things with Ford trucks. Door panel too high. Sest belt stabbing you in the side. All the buttons looks the same. When i owned a ford i had to always make sure i was wearing a good pair of sneakers so i wouldnt be stranded anywhere
 

ToMorrow44

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I cant stand all the little annoying things with Ford trucks. Door panel too high. Sest belt stabbing you in the side. All the buttons looks the same. When i owned a ford i had to always make sure i was wearing a good pair of sneakers so i wouldnt be stranded anywhere
Never knew a door panel or homogeneous buttons could leave you stranded somewhere...
 

beerrun

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There is a video on YouTube where they go into a ford service center and ask all the mechanics what motor would they have in there 150 and all but 1 said the 5.0
 

HST4ME

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So your going to take a limited displacement motor with respectively limited bearing surface, boost the shit out of it and make a truck motor.
 

Chili Palmer

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So, based on the replies, the 3.5 EB still has some growing pains that need to be worked out?
 

satellitemike

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On my third one, first 2 140k plus miles. Only issues were 2 coil packs on the first and a coolant leak going to the turbo on the second.
But as I am sure you know there is always a few lemons out there that are made by ALL manufacturers!!!
 

Bpracing1127

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I have 125k on my 13 f150 ecoboost. Just had my first problem with a coolant leak at the turbo. No problems otherwise. Also mine has been tuned on kill since 30k miles.
 

HBCraig

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These turbo questions worried me to when I bought my 2015 I ordered mine with the 5.0 liter 400 HP. Knock wood, it's been great
 

LargeOrangeFont

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The 3.5 TT EgoBoost factory closed. No need to buy one. Buy a turbocharged SXS, much better idea than buying a turbo truck. Oh wait.. diesel trucks are turboed.

Hit 20k on my 2018 3.5 an hour ago. 0 complaints, no problems, the truck rips.
 
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c_land

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90k on my 2015. 100% stock drivetrain.Zero issues. I stuffed 35’s under it and it still rips. Tows better than my 2001 f350.

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SoCalDave

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40k on my 2014 with no issues other than it sucks the gas...not sure what's going on with that and the Dealer won't do shit about it... my 06 Escalade with a 6.0 towing my boat did better than this thing not towing...
What's your average gas mileage?
 

oldschool

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40k on my 2014 with no issues other than it sucks the gas...not sure what's going on with that and the Dealer won't do shit about it... my 06 Escalade with a 6.0 towing my boat did better than this thing not towing...
What's your average gas mileage?

My average combined is right at 20 mpg right now. Truck has 24k miles on it currently. Haven’t towed with it yet.
 

spectras only

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I get an average 19 mpg not towing. Truck has the 3:73 ratio so it's worse than the 3:55 of course. With turbos start working harder, over 60 mph, economy start going downhill the faster the engine revs, no surprise there.;)
 

Shrub Lurker

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Direct injection, clean up injector cycle, two turbos , variable cam timing, small displacement ..... what can go wrong?
Talked to a Sherriff fleet guy one day he said they just order the normal 6 bangers after two early units spent a lotta time at the dealer . I heard change that oil at 25% and the turbos will live longer
 
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Shane Skolil

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2016 F150 4x4. 6 inch lift with 33 inch tire since new. 36k miles now. I tow an 8k lb boat weekly. Hauls ass. Zero issues. Would buy another one. However, waiting on 2021 F150 Electric....
 

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SixD9R

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2016 3.5 EB here. 35k trouble free miles so far. I buy my trucks new and keep them for 10+ years so hopefully this one will last a good long time. In the Pennsylvania rust belt, bodies go before motors so it will also be interesting to see how the aluminum holds up. Truck is a commuter for work but I do work it pretty hard on the weekends. Towed about 7,000 lbs this past summer including up some good hills and had plenty of power.
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Direct injection, clean up injector cycle, two turbos , variable cam timing, small displacement ..... what can go wrong?
Talked to a Sherriff fleet guy one day he said they just order the normal 6 bangers after two early units spent a lotta time at the dealer . I heard change that oil at 25% and the turbos will live longer

Aside from the turbos you just described every modern engine.

I do change the oil at 5000 miles, which is around 50%. I would not run it all the way out to when the truck tells you to change it.
 

Looking Glass

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View attachment 838812 View attachment 838813 View attachment 838814 2016 3.5 EB here. 35k trouble free miles so far. I buy my trucks new and keep them for 10+ years so hopefully this one will last a good long time. In the Pennsylvania rust belt, bodies go before motors so it will also be interesting to see how the aluminum holds up. Truck is a commuter for work but I do work it pretty hard on the weekends. Towed about 7,000 lbs this past summer including up some good hills and had plenty of power.


Beautiful Country!! Miss the Trees and the Cool Temps. Looks like a wonderful get-away.:)
 

Meaney77

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Cam Phaser TSB. They have had a few updates. Supposedly the newest version actually remedies the cold soak bleed off.
Any idea what years that covers? My ‘12 with 135k is starting to make a little noise as well.
 

Taboma

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Not a single problem with my 12' 3.5 EB, or my current replacement 18' Raptor --- BUT, I'm going to take this as a sign from above to go ahead and buy that ESP from Flood Ford I've been procrastinating about. :D I had the ESP on my 12' and never used it, but for under $ 2K, I'll probably sleep better. :)

One thing I can say for certain, both my 12' F150 EB and this Raptor easily out-tow the 07' 6.2L Sierra Denali they replaced.
Although MPG for all three are pretty much the same, towing or not.
 

Runs2rch

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Any idea what years that covers? My ‘12 with 135k is starting to make a little noise as well.

This TSB was for the gen 2 3.5. So 17 and up. The gen 1's had some issues as well. Regular 5k max oil changes are supposed to help.
 

Meaney77

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This TSB was for the gen 2 3.5. So 17 and up. The gen 1's had some issues as well. Regular 5k max oil changes are supposed to help.
I read that as well as using the Motorcraft filter something about a pressure relief?
 

Runs2rch

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I read that as well as using the Motorcraft filter something about a pressure relief?

Motorcraft filter quality is great and yes bypass is the correct setting for the motor. Mainly Like LOF mentioned above, turbos are hard on oil. Keeping clean oil helps all components.
 

Chili Palmer

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On the Raptor forums everyone is bitching about their cam phasers failing and being at the dealership for a month plus and having to pull the cab off the chassis to get at them. But out here in the real world it seems that it’s more of a hit and miss thing. The longevity of this motor is what gives me apprehension. Will I get a quarter million miles out of it? Or will it barely make it to 100k? I’m sure these motors aren’t as cheap as a naturaly aspirated small block Chevy to replace.
 

Runs2rch

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On the Raptor forums everyone is bitching about their cam phasers failing and being at the dealership for a month plus and having to pull the cab off the chassis to get at them. But out here in the real world it seems that it’s more of a hit and miss thing. The longevity of this motor is what gives me apprehension. Will I get a quarter million miles out of it? Or will it barely make it to 100k? I’m sure these motors aren’t as cheap as a naturaly aspirated small block Chevy to replace.

The forums always make issues seem worse. Small number of people experiencing issues out of the number produced.

I agree though. We have a 17 6.2 1500 that in the future a complete long block shouldn't be stupid expensive.

The Raptor will have way better residual value and as Taboma said earlier an ESP can be bought for around 1200.
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Motorcraft filter quality is great and yes bypass is the correct setting for the motor. Mainly Like LOF mentioned above, turbos are hard on oil. Keeping clean oil helps all components.

Yea it was curious to me why total oil capacity on the 3.5 is only 6 quarts. The 5.0 is nearly 8. Would have been nice to have a little reserve oil.

I changed the oil at 800, 1500, 3000, and 5000 when I got the truck. I used Ford Semi Synthetic until 3000 miles.

I now do 5000 intervals with The Ford FL500s filter and Mobil 1 5W30 Extended Performance. It’s like $32 at WalMart, I have to buy and extra jug of oil every 4th oil change.

The truck gained 2 MPG around 15k miles, and it felt more crisp.

With 5k miles the oil % on the computer has been between 48% and 55%.

Thankfully all the late 18 3.5s and newer got cast aluminum oil pans as well. They were composite plastic before.. dumb.
 

Runs2rch

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Yea it was curious to me why total oil capacity on the 3.5 is only 6 quarts. The 5.0 is nearly 8. Would have been nice to have a little reserve oil.

I changed the oil at 800, 1500, 3000, and 5000 when I got the truck. I used Ford Semi Synthetic until 3000 miles.

I now do 5000 intervals with The Ford FL500s filter and Mobil 1 5W30 Extended Performance. It’s like $32 at WalMart, I have to buy and extra jug of oil every 4th oil change.

The truck gained 2 MPG around 15k miles, and it felt more crisp.

With 5k miles the oil % on the computer has been between 48% and 55%.

Thankfully all the late 18 3.5s and newer got cast aluminum oil pans as well. They were composite plastic before.. dumb.

Agree that oil capacity should be more. The 14 up 5.3/6.2 is 8 quarts.

I run the EP Mobil One as well.

Agree on that also. Some engineer figured 2.00 saved per pan Blah blah.

I'm thinking the 20 is at the end of the run and should have all the kinks worked out. Typical Ford gets it right and then they go in a new direction.
 

Outdrive1

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Had a 13. Lost the rear end around 20k miles. Lost the motor at 62k miles. Both covered by Ford. Kept it until last week. Lost 3 cooling fans over the past 6months. For some reason they kept burning out this last year. I had 165k on it when I finally traded it in. That being said, that truck had a hard life. I towed multiple times a week, sometimes in 120 degree heat. Lots of idle time keeping ac running too. I was almost never on time changing oil or caring for it. Most times I could give two shits about that truck. It was just a work truck and I pretty much planned on driving it until it died or didn’t make sense.

For me, I’ve had enough 3/4 ton vehicles. I don’t want the size or the ride of one. I also have a normal sized penis and don’t need a lifted 3/4ton truck to compensate. I’d rather have a half ton for what I do. I never had a problem towing anything I needed to tow.

All that being said, I bought a new one. With the ten speed. Max tow. Platinum. 3.5 eco boost. It also selects the driving mode. Normal, towing, eco, sport and it’s all wheel drive. It’s way more refined than my 13. Not even in the same ballpark honestly. Almost no turbo lag now. Way faster, better mileage, quieter, just all around better. I love the new one. I may even keep it clean this time and change the oil in it. Lol.

Time will tell if it’s more reliable.


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Waterjunky

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I’ve got the Raptor bug again, but don’t know about the reliability of the 3.5 EB engine. I’ve got almost 250,000 on my 2011 Duramax and it hasn’t skipped a beat. I keep up on maintenance and the only major repairs have been a water pump, the trans control module, and the motor mounts. The trans is still shifting fine and I’m still on the original rear brakes.

Can I get this kind of reliability out of a late model Raptor?

So let me get this straight...…. you come on to a well known Chevy forum and ask for advice on a Ford truck? :rolleyes::)

I am actually very impressed with the responses you got given the above mentioned biases around here.
 

StevieHops

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I have a 12’ with 128k miles. I have 33’s on it. Mpg in town is 14-15 hwy 19-20, towing 5000lbs gets 11-12 on the hwy. I was a 7.3 (3 different ones) guy before this and it out tows a stock 7.3 all day. My buddy is a service manager at ford and he said they are very reliable to about 200k miles if you keep up on the service. After that they tend to come in with various problems.
 

TPC

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That’s weird. Mine seems to have no turbo lag and have gone quite a bit bigger on tires.
As far as reliability, I have the Ford extended warranty. I will sell mine before the warranty runs out. NO WAY do I want it without overage. I’m not concerned at all about reliability as it has been solid other than the exhaust manifold/turbo issue that Ford covered, but I don’t want to be on the hook for costs out of pocket if that little engine does ever grenade.
Yeah, we got that super long Ford Warranty. If I recall it was either 102K or 120K miles I forget. It's a great thing to have.
Ours was a conflict between downshifting and turbo boost control. Simply put it couldn't make up it's mind which to do, what to do and when to do it - is the way the Service manager explained it to me. A few others in the Ford truck forums had the same issue.

I imagine Ford eventually figured it out. Don't hear about it anymore.
We Liked everything else except a few rattles we couldn't find.
 

pronstar

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There is a video on YouTube where they go into a ford service center and ask all the mechanics what motor would they have in there 150 and all but 1 said the 5.0




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Bpracing1127

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That video is bullshit! You know how I know. Almost all of them said they want the power to be able to tow and. Well guess the ecoboost walks on a 5.0 in towing!!! So again propaganda video. Don’t believe everything on the internet.
Yea I have towed with both
 

pronstar

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That video is bullshit! You know how I know. Almost all of them said they want the power to be able to tow and. Well guess the ecoboost walks on a 5.0 in towing!!! So again propaganda video. Don’t believe everything on the internet.
Yea I have towed with both

I have no doubt the 3.5 smokes the 5.0 in any performance category.

I’d still rather have the 5.0 [emoji106]


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