By Markus Z. Watkins (Automotive Technician and The CarKeeper CEO)
My job offers me many opportunities to experience the good and bad of the vehicle world. I work mainly on low-to-mid range vehicles mostly, and occasionally high-end vehicles come through too.
Recently, I had the opportunity to replace (and review) a motor in a Ford Explorer with the EcoBoost 3.5L V6 engine in it. Why should you care? Well, if you own a newer Explorer or other Ford/Lincoln crossovers and SUVS, you most likely have this same motor in it. If you're ever wondering "is the EcoBoost 3.5L is a good engine" or not, I hope to answer that question for you in this post today.
There are various pros and cons to this motor which make it interesting to review, but to summarize it, I say it's a "toss-up".
A Little History....
The Ford 3.5L EcoBoost was born in the Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 in 2009. The first generation came in multiple variations, depending on the vehicle it was designed for. It was found in Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury trucks, sedans, and SUVs. Known as the "Cyclone", the 3.5L first generation maxed out at 380 hp (283 kW) at 5250 rpm and had a torque rating of 460 lb⋅ft (624 N⋅m) at 2750 rpm. The second generation hatched in 2015 and Ford converted entirely to it between 2015-2017. The new powerhouse was 4 lbs. lighter than it's parents, and boasted an array of upgrades. Performance maxed out at 660 hp (492 kW) at 6250 rpm, 550 lb⋅ft (746 N⋅m) at 5900 rpm in the speedy Ford GT. To note, these twin-turbo V6 motors run on high-pressure fuel pumps, timed by the cam. They also have internally driven water-pumps that we will address later in this post.
Are Ford 3.5L EcoBoost Engines Reliable?
In short, they are reliable. From my experiences with them, as long as sufficient oil levels are maintained, they will last a long time. However, they may have some issues, as they are a more complicated engine with more moving parts.
Some negative sides of this engine are the following:
Timing Chain wear is normal, but unpredictable. Some engines have it, some don't.
Cam Phaser issues. Ford camshafts are modulated by phasers and they maintain proper timing for peak performance. Ford has had issues with certain models in the past, and it's worthy of note in this post.
Water pump failures and leaks are expensive. The water pumps are internally driven and some models may need the entire engine removed to repair them.
Engine issues may arise due to their many sensors and oil use. These engines can be finicky when dealing with low oil, especially since they run two turbos. Oil level maintenance is a MUST.
Some other issues from the internet. Other sites list intercooler condensation buildup, general ignition issues, carbon buildup, and timing chain wear as main things to watch out for.
Some positive sides of this engine are the following:
They are strong, light motors. These engines have an incredible acceleration to them, and the turbos are just what the doctor ordered on a V6.
They have a reasonable life span. For being a boosted engine system, they seem to last a while, as long as they are taken care of.
They are fairly easy to diagnose and repair. They rely on basic systems and aren't hard to figure out. Any mechanic should be able to work on them easily.
They're proudly made in the United States of America! They give people like me a job working on engines and building them in the United States.
If I Own A Vehicle With One In It, What Can I Do To Keep It Running?
The NUMBER ONE thing you can do is make sure you keep our oil changed every 5,000 miles. Don't let them run low on oil, and consider using fuel injector cleaner fuel treatment every once in a while. They will serve you well and will run for a long time, if taken care of.
Should I Buy A Car With A Ford 3.5L EcoBoost In It?
In my opinion, the Ford 3.5L EcoBoost is one of the better performing V6's in the market. They have a decent track record of reliability. However, the ones that I have seen in my career as a mechanic, generally had some form of issue that was either related to burning oil and timing or coolant, which are strangely enough connected in this engine. The odds of getting a bad engine in this motor class is slightly higher, as they have more moving parts, sensors, and a turbo booster system.
In Conclusion...
I typically see one of these engines every week. They are more common and I hope this helps you come to a conclusion on what direction you will head in, if you are considering buying a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicle with a Ford 3.5L EcoBoost motor in it.
Have you read these posts from The Carkeeper?
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