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The original Ford EcoBoost used to have the traditional 1.6L engine back in the day. However, one of the reasons that Ford decided to introduce the 1.5L engines was partly due to Chinese taxes. Chinese vehicle taxes were extremely high on the 1.6L engines, but this dropped significantly with the introduction of the 1.5L EcoBoost. We deem it important to look at the Ford 1.5 EcoBoost Engine Problems.
While the 1.5L EcoBoost engine is prominent in many different Ford models, it is not without fault. One of the biggest issues seems to be the cooling system. A pending lawsuit against Ford is also currently being dealt with due to the cooling system issues surrounding the 4-cylinder inline engines. And it is something to keep an eye on.
In general, the 1.5L EcoBoost engine seems to be reliable for the most part. However, you should know and learn about the Ford 1.5 EcoBoost engine problems if you plan to buy any of these vehicles. We will dive into some of the most common issues you can find. We will also look at some of the solutions that people have come up with.
Ford EcoBoost 1.5L Engine Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Made In | Craiova, Romania |
| Operational Years | 2014 onwards |
| Block Composition | Premium Aluminum |
| Head Composition | Premium Aluminum |
| Fuel Preference | Petrol |
| Injection System | Precision Direct Fuel Injection |
| Engine Design | Straight-Line |
| Total Cylinders | Four |
| Valves/Cylinder | Quadruple |
| Camshaft | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Bore Dimension | Approximately 79.0 mm |
| Stroke Dimension | Roughly 76.4 mm |
| Total Volume | About 1498 cc |
| Engine Nature | Quad-Cycle, Boosted with Turbo |
| Compression Metrics | 10.0:1 (Optimized) |
| Power Range | 148-181 horsepower (equivalent to 110-135 kW at 6,000 RPM) |
| Torque | Up to 177 lb-ft or 240 Nm (Ranging between 1,500-4,500 RPM) |
| Ignition Sequence | 1-3-4-2 |
| Recommended Oil | SAE 5W-20 Grade |
| Oil Volume | Around 4.1 liters |
| Oil Replacement Cycle | Typically every 9,000 miles or annually |
| Notable Utilization | Found in models like Ford Focus, Ford C-Max, Ford Fusion/Mondeo, and Ford Escape/Kuga |
Notable Features and Advantages:
- Efficiency: The EcoBoost 1.5 boasts Ford’s latest advancements in fuel-saving technology, ensuring a balanced performance with efficient fuel consumption.
- Turbocharged Power: Despite its modest size, the turbocharger gives the engine a significant power boost, making it suitable for a range of Ford vehicles.
- Compact Design: Its compact design ensures it fits perfectly in a variety of Ford models without compromising performance.
- Eco-Friendly: Adhering to modern environmental standards, the EcoBoost 1.5 offers reduced emissions compared to older models.
Ford 1.5 EcoBoost Engine Problems
With Ford being a staple brand when it comes to family vehicles and tends to offer great functionality, the brand is not without fault. Ford is trusted by many people around the world and their vehicles are on the cheaper side compared to some of the bigger manufacturers. However, here are some common issues with their most reliable engine:
1. Cooling System Issues
Problem: One of the most prominent issues is the cooling system issues exhibited by the Ford brand. While it is hard to find all the information since this is still a pending lawsuit, there are a few tidbits that you could keep an eye on. The biggest issue comes from the design of the block and the head, which can force coolant to leak.
Once the coolant leaks into the combustion chamber, your vehicle might be low on coolant. Being low on coolant means the car can typically misfire and lead to corrosion. If you don’t deal with the issue, it could also lead to a catastrophic failure of the engine. You should also know that according to Ford, the issue is blown out of proportion on the internet.
Solution: After doing research and asking some mechanics, you need to understand that there is no quick fix for the problem. Many Ford owners who return their vehicles might end up with a brand new engine. The biggest issue is that overheating could cause additional damage to your vehicle and lead to other issues.
2. Clogged Injectors
Problem: Direct injection engines have been dealing with this issue for many years. One of the issues when it comes to the Ford 1.5L EcoBoost is the issue surrounding the fuel pumps and the injectors. Since this is a volatile part, there are a few ways it can fail, but the most common seems to be that they will clog the engine.
Fortunately, this is not one of the common issues with these engines and it is most common when looking at older models. We have found that clogged fuel injectors seem to be most common in vehicles that have more than 70,000-miles on the clock. With clogged injectors, you can run into a variety of engine issues.
Solution: There are a couple of ways you can go about fixing this problem, with new fuel injectors probably the most common solution. However, this can be expensive and cost you north of $100. Fortunately, you can also remove the injectors for cleaning. Fixing and replacing the seals will be another quick fix you can likely do at home.
3. Carbon Build-Up Problems
Problem: The difference between some of the older vehicles and modern vehicles stem back from the injectors. Some of the older vehicles used to have a port injection, which kind of resolved the issue on its own. Nowadays, we rely more on direct injection, which provides more performance. It also adds efficiency benefits to the vehicle.
One of the issues is that all vehicles provide some form of oil blow-by. When released, the oil makes its way to the intake ports and it might stick or clog the valves. Unlike traditional port injection, the vehicle does not have any fuel sprays that will wipe away the oil buildup and this could cause some issues in modern vehicles.
Solution: While it causes some drivability and performance issues, the problem does not have any significant impact on the reliability of your car. The issues are most common when you reach the 80,000-mile range and this is also when you should consider regularly cleaning these intake valves to prevent any significant problems.
4. Spark Plugs & Ignition Coil Issues
Problem: While spark plugs and ignition coils are part of traditional maintenance for many vehicles, it is also something you need to keep an eye on. Modern turbo engines put more emphasis on these issues, and they could be exacerbated. However, premature failures rarely happen when it comes to these issues.
While the issue is part of standard maintenance, it might be more common with your EcoBoost 1.5. Some of the symptoms will include misfires, shuttering, and poor overall performance of the vehicle. This is most common when the coils and plugs deteriorate to such a level that they do not create any significant spark anymore.
Solution: Since this is not an extreme issue, it is fairly simple to replace the spark plugs and ignition coils on your vehicle. You will pay around $30 for 4 spark plugs and ignition coils are slightly more expensive at closer to $200. If you take your vehicle for a service, this should be included in the service plan, but it is also something you can fix at home.
5. Failing Turbo
Problem: Since the smaller engine with reduced carbon emissions has been introduced, a emphasis has been placed on the turbo, and it is responsible for plenty of the performance. Linking to the first issue, you will have coolant leaking into the turbo, and this could cause issues when you need performance.
While the issue is not catastrophic, and the EcoBoost 1.5L engine has an impressive turbo, it is something that could cause some significant issues in the longer run. The issue is not any standard problem, with a lack of maintenance, you might see an exacerbation of the problem, and it might come to the forefront on you Ford.
Solution: Replacing the turbo is something you will need a mechanic to help you with. However, you can avoid the issue by doing regular maintenance on the vehicle. As a rule of thumb, you should notice any performance issues, and when you do, you should focus on finding a solution. Something that seems small, could lead to massive problems later.
6. Engine Fires
Problem: We might be slightly overreacting to this issue, but the 2017 Ford EcoBoost has had a couple of instances where the engine would catch on fire. Before you head to the dealership and trade your Ford for something else, you need to understand that this only happens when being negligent of the other issues.
As a warning, you should always take care of your vehicle, but when you notice smoke or a fire starting within the engine bay, you should get out of your car as quickly as possible. The engine fore could rapidly spread and engulf your vehicle, making it dangerous to put it out.
Solution: You should not be looking for a solution for this issue. If you continue to do regular maintenance on your vehicle, you should not have this issue arise. By following the service plan and reacting to things like the check engine light, you could spot potential smaller issues before your car catches on fire.
FAQ
How Long Will A 1.5 EcoBoost Engine Last?
Determining how long a 1.5 EcoBoost engine will last is not as straightforward as it seems. Many different variables could affect how long the power unit will last. Some websites would suggest that between 80,000 and 100,000-miles is the lifespan. However, regular maintenance and fixing components that are damaged or broken could significantly increase the lifespan of any engine.
How Much HP Can A Stock EcoBoost Engine Handle?
Those with ambitions of building up the vehicle and adding more power to it might be interested in knowing the upper limit capacity for these engines is. While the 1.5L EcoBoost traditionally produces about 181 HP, it can handle up to 400 HP. It means that you have plenty of freedom to build up the engine if needed.
Is The Ford EcoBoost A Reliable Engine?
With the 1.6L and the 1.5L turbo engines being slightly different, we need to look at them separately. The 1.6L engine is more prone to having significant engine issues like the leaking coolant. With the introduction of the 1.5L engine, they have tried to mitigate some of these issues and reduce the rate of failures. We would recommend the engine for reliability.