Is the Ecoboost that Bad?
The Ecoboost first went into production in 2009 and became available in vehicles from 2010. Turbocharged engines with direct injection are now extremely common, however Ford paved the way with the Ecoboost. While Ford were proclaimed as pioneers of the time, with the introduction of a powerful yet efficient engine, the ecoboost seems to have a muddied reputation.
Table of Contents
- What does Ecoboost Mean?
- Which Vehicles feature the Ecoboost Engine?
- Ecoboost Problems
- Has Ford fixed these Issues?
- Conclusion
What does Ecoboost Mean?
Ecoboost can be broken down into two parts, eco and boost, which both represent the purpose of this engine. Eco is part of Ford’s effort to reduce carbon emmissions and fuel used while boost represents the added performance from the turbocharger and twin-independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT).
It is a gasoline turbocharged direct injection (GTDI) engine. Making use of high pressure direct injection, meaning fuel is shot straight into the combustion cylinder, means that the engine has better control over how much fuel is used and leads to a more efficient fuel economy.
With the addition of a turbocharger and variable camshaft timing, the Ecoboost is able to provide good mileage while still delivering on power. This optimisation of the engine means that the 1.0 litre version could actually outperform a 1.6 litre engine.
By doing away with the intake manifold Ford have managed to downsize the engine, making it smaller than a piece of A4 paper. Overall, according to Ford, the engine is 20% more fuel efficient and has 15% less greenhouse gas emissions.
Which Vehicles feature the Ecoboost Engine?
Pretty much any vehicle in the last 10 years from Ford is likely to feature an Ecoboost engine.
The 1.0L Ecoboost can commonly be found in Ford Focus (2012-), Fiesta (2013-) and Transit (2014-), while the 1.5L can be found in the Ford Focus (2018-) and Fiesta (2018-2023).
See the full list of applications>
Ecoboost Problems
While the Ecoboost may be considered a breakthrough in technology, it wasn’t without its faults. Like any adavancements it came with some teething issues and some problems which still exist today.
Head Gasket Failure and Overheating
One issue that was reported in the early 1.0 Ecoboost engines was the head gasket cracking. This can be attributed to the engine becoming too hot too quickly. Additionally, the engine had a tendency to leak coolant. This has been linked to head gasket failure, however some drivers report a high use of coolant without any apparent leaks.
Another cause for coolant leaks was the original coolant pipe which was made from nylon and had a tendency to fail at high temperatures. This has since been rectified.
Additionally, due to the small size of the engine, it has an easier time to just generally overheat. These issues can lead to the head gasket cracking and certain drivers have been victim to engine fires.
Oil Leaks, Wet Belts and Failing Turbochargers
Most people should be aware of wet belts by now and the disadvantages they bring to any engine they are featured in. Unfortunately, Ford implemented a wet timing belt into the Ecoboost and, just like the Ecoblue, it brings the same issues of premature failure and blocked oil sumps. Read more about wet belts here>
Due to the belt running submerged in oil it is susceptible to premature wear. When this happens bits of belt material break off into the oil and ultimately end up in the oil sump, where it blocks oil delivery to the vital components.
Additionally, the gaskets and oil seals in the Ecoboost are prone to failure, leading to the engine leaking oil.
Overall, a lack of oil means a lack of lubrication and pretty much every part in the engine needs to be lubricated. The prevalent turbocharger is no exception. With these engines having a tendency to leak or restrict oil it is not uncommon for the turbocharger to fail as a result of this.
Carbon Buildup
While the addition of fuel injectors means higher fuel efficiency it does bring one downside. Previously, engines would first deposit fuel into the intake manifold where it mixes with air and then gets pulled into the combustion cylinder. During this process the fuel mixture washes the intake valves.
By taking this away and having direct injection straight into the cylinder, the Ecoboost skips this process. As a result the fumes which pass over the valves leave an oily residue which overtime hardens into tough carbon deposits. This restricts airflow and can disrupt the timing of the valves opening and closing.
Has Ford fixed these Issues?
Ford US issued a recall in December 2023 for certain models related to the wet belt.
Ford claim to have released a revised version of the engine which promises to fix the issues related to coolant leakage, by making changes to the cylinder head, hoses and seals. Any new Ford models, from 2019 onwards, are stated to have this updated version of the Ecoboost engine.
This still features a wet belt, however Ford have changed the replacement interval to an earlier one. Overall, issues with the wet belt will still persist.
Conclusion
I have come across a fair share of people in forums who state that they have no issues with this engine, and that it gets blown out of proportion. However, with that in mind it is still hard to ignore the major problems that drivers have faced as a result of the Ecoboost.
At the end of the day, regardless of the engine, regular maintenance and servicing will help it go a long way. To anyone who owns, or is looking to own, a Ford vehicle fitted with the Ecoboost engine – keep an eye on the oil pressure, coolant levels and ensure the wet belt is replaced well before the Ford recommended interval.
