Ford 2.7 Ecoboost Problems
The most common problems and how to spot & avoid them
2018 Ford F-150 2.7L EcoBoost by Kevauto - CC-BY-SA-4.0
Most people associate turbos with supercars or muscle cars, but they’re starting to appear in commuter sedans and pickup trucks. Still, manufacturers are more frequently using turbochargers to pack some serious punch into small engines, increasing power while keeping fuel efficiency high.
One of the manufacturers who’ve bought into the turbocharger craze is Ford by cramming a turbo into everything from a small three-cylinder to the fire-breathing, race-bred V-6 found in the Ford GT supercar.
Central to their lineup is the 2.7L Ford EcoBoost V6 engine found on many of their most popular vehicles, like the F-150 and Ford Edge.
While the 2.7 EcoBoost is as reliable as comparable, non-turbo-charged engines (more on this later), there are some problems to look out for if you own or plan to own a car or truck with the 2.7 EcoBoost.
We’ll cover the most common problems with the Ford 2.7 EcoBoost engine and how to diagnose them.
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Popular Vehicles with 2.7 Ford EcoBoost engines
2.7L EcoBoost engines are available on the following vehicle models:
- Ford F-150
- Ford Bronco
- Ford Edge Sport
- Ford Edge ST
- Ford Fusion Sport
- Lincoln MKX
- Lincoln Continental
- Lincoln Nautilus
The Most Common Problem With 2.7 Ecoboosts: Valve Guide Defects (2016-2017 Models)
2.7 EcoBoost engines built from April 2016 to January 2017 have a significant defect with the cylinder head valve guides. This defect allows oil to leak into the combustion chamber and burn off.
This issue causes oil consumption to go up, burning through a quart every 3000 miles, which is way above average for a newer engine and should be a cause for alarm for anyone experiencing this level of oil consumption.
How To Spot A Valve Guide Defect
This one’s easy - look for blue smoke coming out of the exhaust. This is the best indication that you’ve got a valve guide defect. If you feel the vehicle idling roughly, this may also be a warning that your valve guides are worn.
Cost to Fix: Free
Since this issue was common for early-model EcoBoost engines, Ford released a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to remedy the problem and get owners back on the road.
Take your car into a Ford dealership, ask them to check for TSBs, and they’ll fix it free of charge. You can read the TSB here.
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Another Common Problem: Oil Pan Leaks (2015-2017 Models)
Some 2015-2017 Ford F-150 2.7 EcoBoost engines have an issue where the oil pan does not properly seal with the engine, resulting in an oil leak.
The oil pan is made of plastic, the block is made of aluminum, and a seal is applied from the factory between these two different mediums to ensure no leakage. Since these are two different mediums and one is very soft (plastic), proper sealing between the two pieces depends entirely on the sealant and not on a mechanical connection. If the adhesive fails, the oil will immediately begin to leak.
For 2.7 EcoBoosts made in 2018 or later, this issue was remedied with a different oil pan design - this problem is only present on EcoBoost engines made from 2015-2017.
How To Spot An Oil Leak
This one’s also easy to spot - look for dark spots on the driveway. The most common symptom of this is finding oil on the ground underneath the vehicle or the vehicle’s chassis.
Even if you don’t see oil leaking from the vehicle, you may still have a leak. Many owners never know oil is leaking because vehicles have underbody shields that catch the leaking oil before it hits the ground. The most reliable way to spot a leak is to take the car in for service or an oil change.
Cost to Fix: Free
Ford also issued a Technical Service Bulletin for this issue, and you can find it here.
Another Common Problem: Carbon Buildup (2015-2017 models)
Carbon build is typical in direct injection (DI) engines, but in the case of the 2.7 EcoBoost engine, it may lead to several drivability issues.
Every engine goes through some level of oil blow-by, which passes through the intake tract and sticks to the intake valves and ports. The oil deposits are washed away by spraying fuel into the intake ports via the port injection. Because DI engines spray directly into the cylinder, fuel isn’t necessary to clean the intake valves and ports.
As a result, the cylinders of the 2.7 EcoBoost may experience inconsistent air delivery due to restricted airflow. Ford addressed this issue with the second generation 2.7 EcoBoost by utilizing port injection.
How to Spot Carbon Buildup
Excessive carbon buildup on the 2.7 EcoBoost may result in the following symptoms:
- Engine misfires
- Hesitation/stuttering
- Rough idling
- Loss of power
Inconsistent airflow into the cylinders may result in engine misfires and is usually the first symptom you’ll see. You may also notice frequent stuttering or hesitation during acceleration. Moreover, carbon buildup may lead to power loss, especially in high mileage.
Cost to Fix: $400-$600
Walnut blasting is a common and effective method of cleaning intake valves and ports and will most likely cost $400-$600.
Other Common Problems: Spark Plug and Ignition Coil Issues
Although this engine received some reports of spark plug and ignition coil issues, we hesitate to call these issues widespread – but it’s certainly worth looking into if you’re buying a used vehicle with a 2.7 EcoBoost engine.
Spark plugs in any engine may experience wear and tear over time. They might become fouled or damaged, leading to poor engine performance. If you notice symptoms like rough idling, reduced fuel efficiency, difficulty starting the car, or engine misfires, these might indicate an issue with the spark plugs or ignition coils.
Ford recommends replacing the spark plugs on the 2.7L EcoBoost engine approximately every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on your driving conditions and the type of spark plugs installed.
Ignition coils can also fail over time, often due to heat and vibration or due to voltage overload if the spark plugs aren’t working properly. Symptoms of a failing ignition coil can be similar to those of failing spark plugs.
As such, it’s essential to maintain these components properly to avoid potential issues.
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How Can You Avoid These Issues?
The good news is that you can avoid these Ford 2.7 EcoBoost problems with a little bit of homework and due diligence. The oil leak is a perfect example of something that may not be seen or noticed by someone purchasing a vehicle with this engine unless the under-vehicle shield is removed and inspected - not something usually done during a test drive.
The best way to avoid having major issues with a used vehicle that has this engine is to get it checked out by a certified local mechanic before purchasing. Look in your area for mechanics that offer pre-purchase auto inspection services.
Another way to check out potential issues is to give Ford customer service a call or visit a dealership and provide the VIN to see if the TSBs have been addressed on the vehicle you’re interested in purchasing. If those problems have already been fixed, it’ll be one less thing for you to worry about.
Are Ford EcoBoost Engines Reliable?
Overall, the Ford 2.7 EcoBoost engine is remarkably reliable, and most owners don’t report any issues during the lifetime of ownership.
However, a rash of the problems listed above (and subsequent factory recalls) for the earliest engine models gave the EcoBoost a reputation for unreliability despite being more reliable than most comparable engines currently on the market.
When comparing the 2.7 EcoBoost engine to other, similar engines, like Chevrolet’s turbo-boosted 2.7L engine, the Ford comes ahead in terms of reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I tell if my 2.7 EcoBoost engine has a valve guide defect?
A: The primary symptom of a valve guide defect is blue smoke from the exhaust. You may also notice rough idling and increased oil consumption, with the engine burning a quart of oil every 3,000 miles.
Q: What should I do if I suspect an oil pan leak in my 2015-2017 Ford with the 2.7 EcoBoost engine?
A: Look for dark spots or oil stains on your driveway or garage floor; this is a clear sign of an oil leak. Even if you don’t see any oil on the ground, there may still be a leak, as underbody shields can catch the oil before it drips onto the surface. The best way to confirm a leak is to take your vehicle in for service or an oil change and have a technician inspect it. If there’s a leak, check with your local Ford dealer to see if there is a TSB that covers the repair.
Q: What is the recommended service interval for spark plugs in the 2.7 EcoBoost engine?
A: Ford recommends replacing the spark plugs in the 2.7 EcoBoost engine every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on your specific driving conditions and the type of spark plugs installed. This maintenance schedule can help prevent potential issues related to worn or damaged spark plugs.
Q: Is the Ford 2.7 EcoBoost engine reliable overall?
A: Yes, the Ford 2.7 EcoBoost engine is generally considered reliable, with most owners reporting no significant issues throughout their ownership experience. While early engine models (2015-2017) had some problems that led to recalls and TSBs, Ford has since addressed these issues.
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