What are the common problems with the 2.7 Ecoboost F150?

In this blog post, we will answer the question: “What are the common problems with the 2.7 Ecoboost F150?” We will also discuss a few tips to maintain the 2.7 Ecoboost F150. At the end of this post, you will get to know all about the 2.7 Ecoboost F150 engine and its common issues.

What are the common problems with the 2.7 Ecoboost F150?

The common problems with the 2.7 Ecoboost F150 are.

• Check engine lights

• Coolant leaks

• Smokey cold startups

• PCM calibrating issues

• ECT sensor malfunctions

• Carbon buildup on intake valves

• Defective cylinder heads and gaskets

• Leaking oil pans

• Spark plugs and ignition coils

• Excessive consumption of oil

Check engine lights

• The check engine lights are one of the most common problems with the 2.7 Ecoboost F150. In many cases, the check engine light goes off without any particular reason, especially with the F150 models. 

• This has been a common malfunction or a false alarm in most situations. The check engine light illuminates even if there are no issues with the engine.

Coolant leaks

• Coolant leaks have also been another common issue with the 2.7 Ecoboost. There have been many instances of traces of coolant under the car. This has been a defect for the coolant to leak into the cylinders.

Smokey cold startups

• The 2.7 Ecoboost is also known for smokey cold startups. Many people have reported blue or white smoke from the exhaust pipes. This occurs while starting the 2.7 Ecoboost. 

• Ford has stated that it is a common issue if the engine has been inactive for a long time or exposed to cold temperatures.

PCM calibrating issues

• The powertrain control module in the 2.7 Ecoboost has experienced various problems over time. These were common calibrating issues that caused the indicator lamp to malfunction. It would also trigger the trouble code to appear on the screen.  

ECT sensor malfunctions

• ECT sensor malfunctions were nothing new to the 2.7 Ecoboost. This has been another common issue that takes place from time to time. The engine coolant temperature sensor must to inspected and changed frequently to avoid malfunctions.

Carbon buildup on intake valves

• Carbon buildup is probably the most common problem with the 2.7 Ecoboost engine. This is found on the F150 and the direct injection engines. However, it has been more frequent in models before 2018. The intake valves of the cylinder head are known to have carbon build-up.

• This has been one of the biggest issues with the 2.7 Ecoboost. Ford was unable to provide any service when it comes to cleaning the carbon buildup without voiding the warranty.  

• Including plug-and-play catch, cans are one of the best recommendations for cleaning the carbon buildup. This will not require any drilling and there is no need to tamper with the warranty.

Defective cylinder heads and gaskets

• A damaged cylinder head will also cause damage to the head gaskets. While this is common in the 2.7 Ecoboost F150, the issue has been resolved after 2019. This issue has been more prominent in models that were manufactured from 2016 to 2017.

Leaking oil pans

• Leaking oil pans were also common in the 2.7 Ecoboost. This issue has been present in most of the initial 2.7 Ecoboost models and certain F150 vehicles that were manufactured from 2015 to 2017.  

• Witnessing an oil leak from the engine oil pan RTV seal was reported by many people.  The oil pans need to be replaced often in the 2.7 Ecoboost and it turned out to be a costly affair.  

• Another main reason for these oil pan leaks is because the oil pan is made of plastic. Hence, it can expand due to heat and it can cause several issues.

• Ford had ensured to replace oil pans under their warranty. Replacing an oil pan on your own can cost up to $500.

Spark plugs and ignition coils

• Spark plugs and ignition coils were not prominent but they were also known to be one of the common problems initially. Some of the issues led to misfires, rough idling, stuttering, power loss, etc.

• Both spark plugs and ignition coils have similar symptoms when they begin to fail. The major issue was replacing all six spark plugs at the same time to fix the issue. The same applies to the 2.7L V6 ignition coils.

• In most cases, it was difficult to identify if the spark plug or the ignition was at fault. One of the easiest ways is to check the 2.7 Ecoboost fault codes to see if the cylinders are misfiring.

Excessive consumption of oil

• The 2.7 Ecoboost first generation was said to consume excessive oil and this was caused by cylinder head valve guides. The defect in the valve guides allows oil to lead into the combustion chamber.

• The result is 1 quart of oil for every 3000 miles. It is usually above the normal consumption and was one of the common issues with the 2.7 Ecoboost.

Tips to maintain the 2.7 Ecoboost F150

Just like most engines, the 2.7 Ecoboost F150 has common problems. Maintaining the 2.7 Ecoboost engine from time to time will surely help you prevent such common issues from taking place. Here are a few tips to maintain the 2.7 Ecoboost F150.

Change the oil and air filter

• The most important part is to change the oil and the air filter frequently. It is essential to change the oil every 10,000 miles. The cabin air filter is prone to dust and particles, hence it is required to change the air filter along with the oil.

Replace the engine air filter

• Replacing the engine air filter is equally important and this must be done every 20,000 miles. The engine air filter keeps all the unwanted particles from getting into the engine.

Change the transmission fluid and filter

• Just like the engine oil and the air filter, the transmission fluid and transmission filter are equally important. 

• The transmission fluid helps the transmission to function smoothly and the transmission filter collects contaminants in the lubricating fluids. It prevents dirt and debris from entering. It is essential to change the transmission fluid and filter at the same time.

Replace the spark plugs

• The spark plugs need to be replaced every 40,000 miles to ensure that the engine functions without any issues. Spark plugs can also get worn out soon and igniting the combustible mixture might be hard.

Change the fuel filter

• The fuel filter is one of the most critical parts of the engine and it has to be replaced from time to time. The 2.7 Ecoboost fuel filter must be replaced every 40,000 miles to keep the engine in good condition.

Replace the drive belt and timing belt

• The timing belt is another crucial part of the engine to ensure that the movement of the camshaft is synchronized. This timing belt must be replaced every 10,000 miles even if it is still functioning properly.

• The drive belt is used to drive multiple peripheral devices and it requires proper maintenance. The drive belt and timing belt might not have issues at the beginning, but they must be replaced when required.

The 2.7 Ecoboost has several issues like most other engines. These are common issues that are bound to occur. However, by following a few tips and maintaining your engine, the chances of these problems happening are rather less. The 2.7 Ecoboost is one of the best engines that has been in the market for years together.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have answered the question: “What are the common problems with the 2.7 Ecoboost F150?” We have also discussed a few tips to maintain the 2.7 Ecoboost F150. Leave us a comment below and let us know if there are any other common problems with the 2.7 Ecoboost F150.  

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