Ford Ecoboost Engine Failure (TWICE)

Ford Ecoboost Engine Failure (TWICE)

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heebeegeetee

28,591 posts

247 months

Tuesday 30th October 2018
quotequote all
Car-Matt said:
6 year old car overheats that's been repaired outside of the Ford dealer network and Ford don't want to know shocker..........

In other news the sky is blue and water is wet
That is BS. A 6 year old car should have years of life in it, shouldn't overheat, shouldn't need coolant hoses and shouldn't be doing pistons and turbos. It's a run of the mill car that shouldn't need locking in to the main stealers and shouldn't need specialist care or attention. If it does need any of this then I think it's not fit for purpose and the manufacturer should take the responsibility for it's piss poor performance.


janesmith1950 said:
Modern cars shouldn't need weekly fluid checks. They should have systems in place to warn when there is a problem.

This is not the 1980s.
I agree.


Car-Matt

1,923 posts

137 months

Tuesday 30th October 2018
quotequote all
heebeegeetee said:
Car-Matt said:
6 year old car overheats that's been repaired outside of the Ford dealer network and Ford don't want to know shocker..........

In other news the sky is blue and water is wet
That is BS. A 6 year old car should have years of life in it, shouldn't overheat, shouldn't need coolant hoses and shouldn't be doing pistons and turbos. It's a run of the mill car that shouldn't need locking in to the main stealers and shouldn't need specialist care or attention. If it does need any of this then I think it's not fit for purpose and the manufacturer should take the responsibility for it's piss poor performance.
I was merely pointing out that its been repaired once in a situation where it could have overheated outside of the Ford Dealer Network, why then if it overheats subsequently is it their problem, how do they know its been repaired to standard and inspected/re-commissioned correctly in the first place?
Do you run a business?



gweaver

906 posts

157 months

Tuesday 30th October 2018
quotequote all
That's a valid view, but given the nature of these failures, I think the fault lies with Ford, and the cylinder head would have been scrap after overheating (since they don't seem to survive coolant loss).

A more robust engine could well have been up and running again with a new hose and the coolant replaced and bled properly. That's not a complicated job, and one that I'd expect any competent mechanic to be able to carry out. It's the failure of a defective component combined with the fragility of the head when that failure occurs that is the issue here. Neither of those is the fault of the repairing garage.

Had the failure occured later, Ford might well have approved the repair (given the recent softening of their position).
In the circumstances I'd be having strong words with Ford and threatening to get in touch with WatchDog (who were ready to run the story on these engines). I'm sure the Facebook group will give other advice.

heebeegeetee

28,591 posts

247 months

Wednesday 31st October 2018
quotequote all
Car-Matt said:
I was merely pointing out that its been repaired once in a situation where it could have overheated outside of the Ford Dealer Network, why then if it overheats subsequently is it their problem, how do they know its been repaired to standard and inspected/re-commissioned correctly in the first place?
Do you run a business?
Yes, I run a small garage business, and I agree with everything gweaver says. The car shouldn't have overheated, coolant hoses should not be an issue (we very rarely replace coolant hoses nowadays, the world has moved on and they are not the fragile things they might have been in the 50s and 60s) and prior to).

The manufacturers know that they can not bind or lock people into the dealership system, so they must make cars to suit.

And a word about dealerships - we specialise in a certain make of car, and have a relationship with the local main dealer for parts supply. The parts guys have been excellent in their dealings with me and I'm very grateful, I'm also grateful for the dealerships allowing businesses like mine access to their parts supply IT network, which greatly simplifies the whole process.

However, the feedback we get from our customers about the main dealerships is simply as bad as it could be. They are shameless, they literally have no shame. They will rob you blind. They will take your money irrespective of having done the work, and they are then extremely adept at making sure you will not gain access to anyone who can take responsibility. They specialise in ducking and diving. The feedback we have had ranges from Brussels, and France, and up to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, and it's all the same. They are dreadful.

So be careful of what you wish for. You do NOT want to be locked into these guys.

(And who knows, after Brexit will the manufacturers have to abide by block exemption? That was an EU thing wasn't it?)

Car-Matt

1,923 posts

137 months

Wednesday 31st October 2018
quotequote all
heebeegeetee said:
Car-Matt said:
I was merely pointing out that its been repaired once in a situation where it could have overheated outside of the Ford Dealer Network, why then if it overheats subsequently is it their problem, how do they know its been repaired to standard and inspected/re-commissioned correctly in the first place?
Do you run a business?
Yes, I run a small garage business, and I agree with everything gweaver says. The car shouldn't have overheated, coolant hoses should not be an issue (we very rarely replace coolant hoses nowadays, the world has moved on and they are not the fragile things they might have been in the 50s and 60s) and prior to).

The manufacturers know that they can not bind or lock people into the dealership system, so they must make cars to suit.

And a word about dealerships - we specialise in a certain make of car, and have a relationship with the local main dealer for parts supply. The parts guys have been excellent in their dealings with me and I'm very grateful, I'm also grateful for the dealerships allowing businesses like mine access to their parts supply IT network, which greatly simplifies the whole process.

However, the feedback we get from our customers about the main dealerships is simply as bad as it could be. They are shameless, they literally have no shame. They will rob you blind. They will take your money irrespective of having done the work, and they are then extremely adept at making sure you will not gain access to anyone who can take responsibility. They specialise in ducking and diving. The feedback we have had ranges from Brussels, and France, and up to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, and it's all the same. They are dreadful.

So be careful of what you wish for. You do NOT want to be locked into these guys.

(And who knows, after Brexit will the manufacturers have to abide by block exemption? That was an EU thing wasn't it?)
I don't disagree with anything you've said, i have merely pointed out that their reply and the (probable) reason/justification for it are blindingly obvious and predictable.

Brez18

1 posts

56 months

Monday 8th July 2019
quotequote all
Ecoboost victim said:
It is dangerous because there is very commonly no warning at all for what happens. It is most commonly a leak or low coolant that causes the engine failure,, which the engine is not designed to detect because of a design oversight to omit a low coolant level sensor. Sometimes a warning appears on the dash but less than 1min before the engine failes and all power is lost. This normally happens at 70mph on the motor way.

The 1.6 Ecoboost has just been recalled to fit a low level sensor amongst other things. The 1.0 litre should have the same recall.
Car has just gone to Ford on the back of an AA truck. Drove 1 mile and temp gauge went from halfway to full and I turned round to take the car home, then the red light came on with no audible warning (so not entirely sure how long it had been on as it sits just behind where the rev counter needle is) left car on my drive and now wont start. Coolant was at zero when I checked and it was full only a few days ago..... Got the Ford Fiesta Ecoboost 62 plate. AA man couldnt even get the cap of the coolant tank when he arrived and basically said the engine had had it frown Hoping Ford will fix this at no cost. Only had the car 5 months. You seem to know quite a bit about this - any advice?

Sa Calobra

37,000 posts

210 months

Tuesday 9th July 2019
quotequote all
You turned round to take the car home?

Why didn't you pull over and stop?


Firthyboii

2 posts

49 months

Wednesday 19th February 2020
quotequote all
drdino said:
Source?

Also, how does the coolant get into the fuel supply? Do you mean the combustion chamber? Something is lost in translation me thinks...
How do you know when the fuel system is compromised.. how do you know when your engine is gonna fail?

Firthyboii

2 posts

49 months

Wednesday 19th February 2020
quotequote all
My 1L red edition 65 plate suddenly stopped revving the other day and im finding im topping my coolant up way too often? Could anyone indicate any issue here? I turned it off and filled the coolant up, and turned it back on 10 mins later and it was back to normal.. but it was bogglin and not revvin past 1.5k and sounded like it was gonna cut out for a second before i turned it off. I take good care of it! But it does get driven hard. Any ideas

Zad

12,695 posts

235 months

Wednesday 19th February 2020
quotequote all
Head gasket failure?
Any 'mayonnaise' in the oil? Dirty / clean sparkplugs? Any sign the coolant system may be over-pressuring?

J4CKO

41,279 posts

199 months

Wednesday 8th June 2022
quotequote all
Just resurrecting this.

Was wondering if the 1 litre Ecoboost is still failing in numbers, maybe as this thread hasnt had an update in three years or so, maybe not but doesnt mean it isnt happening.

Anyone had any issues or aware of any ?


stevemcs

8,592 posts

92 months

Wednesday 8th June 2022
quotequote all
I think the next weak point is the engine failing due to the cambelt breaking up, they need to be serviced regularly with the correct oil, the cambelt is due every 10 years but i'd be looking at 8 years - budget £1000 to do that. The belt blocks the oil pickup pipe. The same thing is happening on the 1.0 and 1.2 PSA engines, they seem to fail sooner.

eldar

21,614 posts

195 months

Wednesday 8th June 2022
quotequote all
stevemcs said:
I think the next weak point is the engine failing due to the cambelt breaking up, they need to be serviced regularly with the correct oil, the cambelt is due every 10 years but i'd be looking at 8 years - budget £1000 to do that. The belt blocks the oil pickup pipe. The same thing is happening on the 1.0 and 1.2 PSA engines, they seem to fail sooner.
A grand just to keep the engine running at eight years?

MarkwG

4,810 posts

188 months

Wednesday 8th June 2022
quotequote all
eldar said:
stevemcs said:
I think the next weak point is the engine failing due to the cambelt breaking up, they need to be serviced regularly with the correct oil, the cambelt is due every 10 years but i'd be looking at 8 years - budget £1000 to do that. The belt blocks the oil pickup pipe. The same thing is happening on the 1.0 and 1.2 PSA engines, they seem to fail sooner.
A grand just to keep the engine running at eight years?
Originally the belt was predicted to last the life of the engine: that was based on correct oil servicing. Naturally, many cars fall outside of the dealer network, & don't get serviced as rigorously, so the belt life was reduced to 10 years/100k miles. It's a wet belt, & the crank pulley needs tightening to 600nm, which needs a torque multiplier to achieve; many garages don't carry that tool, as it's expensive. It's also an engine out job, so the labour plus the tool all adds up. However, there are other cars that would need two, perhaps three belts in the same time frame, simpler dry belts, but still between £300 - £500 parts & labour. It depends how & when you want to spend the money, really.

eldar

21,614 posts

195 months

Wednesday 8th June 2022
quotequote all
MarkwG said:
eldar said:
stevemcs said:
I think the next weak point is the engine failing due to the cambelt breaking up, they need to be serviced regularly with the correct oil, the cambelt is due every 10 years but i'd be looking at 8 years - budget £1000 to do that. The belt blocks the oil pickup pipe. The same thing is happening on the 1.0 and 1.2 PSA engines, they seem to fail sooner.
A grand just to keep the engine running at eight years?
Originally the belt was predicted to last the life of the engine: that was based on correct oil servicing. Naturally, many cars fall outside of the dealer network, & don't get serviced as rigorously, so the belt life was reduced to 10 years/100k miles. It's a wet belt, & the crank pulley needs tightening to 600nm, which needs a torque multiplier to achieve; many garages don't carry that tool, as it's expensive. It's also an engine out job, so the labour plus the tool all adds up. However, there are other cars that would need two, perhaps three belts in the same time frame, simpler dry belts, but still between £300 - £500 parts & labour. It depends how & when you want to spend the money, really.
Routine servicing avoids the need for replacement?

I have a Skoda Citigo. The book and dealer says the cam belf be needs to be replaced every 8 years.

The identical engine in the rest of Europe, Inc VW and Seat, does not require a change at all.

Are the Brits particularly bad at maintenance or just mugs?

MarkwG

4,810 posts

188 months

Wednesday 8th June 2022
quotequote all
eldar said:
MarkwG said:
eldar said:
stevemcs said:
I think the next weak point is the engine failing due to the cambelt breaking up, they need to be serviced regularly with the correct oil, the cambelt is due every 10 years but i'd be looking at 8 years - budget £1000 to do that. The belt blocks the oil pickup pipe. The same thing is happening on the 1.0 and 1.2 PSA engines, they seem to fail sooner.
A grand just to keep the engine running at eight years?
Originally the belt was predicted to last the life of the engine: that was based on correct oil servicing. Naturally, many cars fall outside of the dealer network, & don't get serviced as rigorously, so the belt life was reduced to 10 years/100k miles. It's a wet belt, & the crank pulley needs tightening to 600nm, which needs a torque multiplier to achieve; many garages don't carry that tool, as it's expensive. It's also an engine out job, so the labour plus the tool all adds up. However, there are other cars that would need two, perhaps three belts in the same time frame, simpler dry belts, but still between £300 - £500 parts & labour. It depends how & when you want to spend the money, really.
Routine servicing avoids the need for replacement?

I have a Skoda Citigo. The book and dealer says the cam belf be needs to be replaced every 8 years.

The identical engine in the rest of Europe, Inc VW and Seat, does not require a change at all.

Are the Brits particularly bad at maintenance or just mugs?
I can't speak for how the rest of the country behaves, or why Skoda advise different regimes in different territories. Perhaps the British motoring environment is seen as more demanding, or the customers are seen as more litigious, who knows. If a manufacturer advises a servicing regime, it seems sensible to stick to it, if the consequences of not following it outweigh the benefits of ignoring it.

MC Bodge

21,551 posts

174 months

Wednesday 8th June 2022
quotequote all
eldar said:
Routine servicing avoids the need for replacement?

I have a Skoda Citigo. The book and dealer says the cam belf be needs to be replaced every 8 years.

The identical engine in the rest of Europe, Inc VW and Seat, does not require a change at all.

Are the Brits particularly bad at maintenance or just mugs?
Presumably the UK legal system.

stevemcs

8,592 posts

92 months

Wednesday 8th June 2022
quotequote all
Luckily we do have a torque wrench that does 600nm, but as pointed out even if it’s £1000 that’s no different to a vw Diesel engine that needs the belt and pump changing every 4-5 years.

J4CKO

41,279 posts

199 months

Monday 13th June 2022
quotequote all
stevemcs said:
I think the next weak point is the engine failing due to the cambelt breaking up, they need to be serviced regularly with the correct oil, the cambelt is due every 10 years but i'd be looking at 8 years - budget £1000 to do that. The belt blocks the oil pickup pipe. The same thing is happening on the 1.0 and 1.2 PSA engines, they seem to fail sooner.
My sister in law has a B Max and had this problem, they cleaned the pickup and did and oil change, fine now.


Warren Obhead

36 posts

20 months

Friday 9th September 2022
quotequote all
I have no experience with these engines, but my brother works in a rebuild shop.

Ecoboost engines are in regularly. From fords and mazdas. They make up a surprisingly large percentage of their work.

ste engine quality.