Ecoboost glitch

[delcecchi]

For those with Ecoboost Ford pickups...

I was talking to a buddy this morning. He bought a f150 with ecoboost a few months ago and encountered a small glitch. So far it has only happened to him once. One bank of the engine shut down. Lasted a short time.

What happens is that when driving at steady speed on the highway in high humidity( it was raining in his case) for a long period of time water can accumulate in the intercooler and then when you step on it a little it blows into the motor and causes enough misfire to make the computer shut down one bank for a while.

It is supposed to throw a code but the code gets cleared when you shut the motor off.

There are a couple of TSB's on it now, but when he talked to the service manager when it happened, the guy didn't know anything about it. Anyway Ford is still working on a good fix.

Thought you might want to know, one way to prevent is to punch it once in a while.....

[JOHNBIGDOG]

First off the Power train Control Module will not clear the code when you shut the motor down. It will save it in memory as a pending code. The dealership can see this and any codes. You are right, For knows about the issue and has a TSB out for it. (Technical Service Bulletin) Depending what codes are present one will replace the CAC (charge air cooler) with an updated part, add a deflector plate (what the plates purpose is I dunno) and reprogram the PCM. Also may or may not have to replace one of the cats. Give me a few minutes and Ill get the exact TSB for you.

[landscaper]

I havent had any problems with mind. I will have to keep an look out for it.

The only problem (not really a problem) is i forgot to rotate the tires at 3-4000 miles or whenever i did the first oil change and just had them rotated at 8-9000 miles. I noticed on the front tires that the grooves/sips are all slightly peeled up( so higher having a pitch on them sloping back towards the rear of the truck)

IS that because i didnt rotate the tires at 4000 and they had 8000-9000 on them?? OR is it a balance/out of alignment problem?

thanks guys

[JOHNBIGDOG]

FORD:

2011-2012 F-150

This article supersedes TSB 12-6-4 to remove the

the production fix date, update the Title, Issue

Statement, Part List and Service Procedure.

ISSUE

Some 2011-2012 F-150 vehicles equipped with a

3.5L gasoline turbocharged direct injection (GTDI)

EcoBoost engine may exhibit an intermittent engine

surge during moderate to light loads at cruise,

stumble and/or misfire on hard acceleration after an

extended drive at highway speeds during high

humid or damp conditions. This could result in a

steady or flashing malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)

with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) primarily for

misfire P0300, P0304, P0305, P0306. DTCs P0430 Figure 1 - Article 12-10-19

and/or P0299 may also be present.

a. Yes - Proceed to Step 5.

ACTION

b. No - Proceed to Step 3.

Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the

condition. 3. Install a new CAC, new air deflector plate, and

original shield using new retaining pushpins. SERVICE PROCEDURE

Refer to WSM, Section 303-12. (Figure 1B)

Insure all hard fault powertrain DTCs are addressed Proceed to Step 4.

prior to performing the calibration update.

4. Reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration

1. Check for DTC P0430. Is DTC P0430 present? using IDS release 79.02A or higher. This new

calibration is not included in the 2012.5 DVD.

a. Yes - Replace the left bank catalytic Calibration files may also be obtained at

converter assembly. Refer to Workshop www.motorcraft.com.

Manual (WSM), Section 309-00. Proceed to

Step 2. 5. Install a new CAC and the original air deflector

plate and shield using new retaining pushpins.

b. No - Proceed to Step 2. Refer WSM, Section 303-12.

2. Is the Charge Air Cooler (CAC) equipped with

an air deflector plate? (Figure 1A)

[delcecchi]

Thanks, I will pass it on. Did somehow what you posted get scrambled? Some of the steps seem out of order.

[Scott K]

Thanks, I will pass it on. Did somehow what you posted get scrambled? Some of the steps seem out of order.

Here is the exact wording, if you click on it, it opens larger, and clearer.

[delcecchi]

Thanks, that is much clearer. I was having a hard time following the steps before.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

I am sorry.

For me to use the Ford HSOforum I HAVE to use Internet Explorer, and I am running on a Mac here at home. So things don't work all the best. I couldn't figure out a good way to display it correctly.

I will work on this... and thank you for posting it correctly for me.

[delcecchi]

Internet explorer on a Mac? You did great to do what you did. I didn't even know that was possible.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

I have my hard drive split using boot camp. I was running full windows vista, but they don't quite play nicely. I am more use to/familar the Mac side.

[RonD45]

Hi JOHNBIGDOG, I'm the guy with the Ecoboost problem. You seem to be knowledgeable about the CAC condensate problem. Is there a difference between a Fault Code and a "pending code"? I have read on various forums that the fault code clears itself and can't be read. Do I have to ask my service manager to read both fault codes and pending codes?

I have a code reader and it shows no fault codes. I definitely had a problem. I accelerated and the engine lost power. I let up on the gas and the whole vehicle shook rather violently. The shaking cleared up cleared up after about 20 to 30 seconds and power returned and it ran fine after that. I didn't notice a steady or flashing MIL, but it was 'white knuckle' time when it occurred in heavy traffic in the rain. Maybe if I had stayed in the gas it would have given me a MIL.

I was a little disappointed that the service manager didn't know about the problem, although the accessory salesman did know about it and has a customer who is also experiencing the problem.

I understand the latest 2013's have a different CAC that also has some wiring and a discharge tube to get rid of the condensate. Do you know if this CAC can be retrofit to my 2012. Will there be a future tsb for the latest 2013 design?

[JOHNBIGDOG]

I work at a Ford dealer on the Iron Range. I am still A young buck though.

So DTCs (fault codes) are set in a different ways. Say, The first time something happens and the pcm (power-train control module)catches it, it sets a "pending" DTC (Diagnostic trouble code), this is a concern, but not so much to set a MIL (Malfunction indicator lamp) yet. Now depending on the programing, the second time (or maybe third or so on) the same "something" happens, in a set amount of time, the MIL will illuminate telling the diagnostician that there is a fault. Now if it is a hard (continuous) or seriously damaging fault it may set a Mil immediately. this really depends on how the PCM is programed. fault codes don't clear themselves usually....

This being said most of the time those fancy code readers can only read the codes that have tripped the MIL. (fault codes) But there may be additional DTCs that are still pending. Now having the Ford scan tool I can see those pending DTCs, as for the the aftermarket, I dunno. I also can get On demand codes, as I can tell the vehicle to preform an On demand Self test, at my command with the Factory scan tool. Your dealer should be able to check and see if there is any pending, hard, or on demand faults. It wouldn't hurt to check.

Your Experienced symptom is enough for me to believe you experienced this problem, I think these updated parts will help solve any further issues. Along with the PCM update.

On a second note, I could bash on service writers all day. So, yeah, tell the writers as much as possible and if in doubt ask to talk to the technician directly.

If you could, post your V.I.N. (all 15 numerics) this will help me see if this TSB for sure apply to your truck. If your truck is out of warranty you can still have these parts installed on you truck, but you will have to pay for the parts and labor.

So that was long winded, I hope it is understandable to you. I am a terrible explainer....

[RonD45]

I really appreciate your reply. I have a better appreciation of the codes. I'm not sure I even set a pending code as I got out of the gas so quick when it happened. Wish I could check for pending codes. I will see if I can read them.

I read that the new CAC is in short supply. I think I will wait until next spring to have the tsb applied. I don't expect a problem with the dry winter air.

Again a big THANK YOU for the reply.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

Well if your in warranty now, get it taken care of before its no longer $Free.99.

On a side note I am waiting for a truck to come back that I will be performing this tsb to. I'll try to take some pictures of the difference if I remember.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Quote:

On a second note, I could bash on service writers all day. So, yeah, tell the writers as much as possible and if in doubt ask to talk to the technician directly.

On a side note, if you want to really know what is going on with your vehicle talk to the tech. If you want to know what it will cost to fix it talk to the service writer

[RonD45]

I would appreciate some pictures of the new CAC. Also any other differences between the original and new CAC. Also could you check a new build 2013 and compare it to a the replacement CAC. Some said there are further changes. That is why I am thinking of wait, to see if there is a further tsb that brings it up to the latest 2013 version. I think my truck was built sometime between May 7 and May 12. There was a sticker on the front door or A pillar, but it disappeared after I had the oil changed!? That sticker had a 05 12 number on it, not sure if that is May 12, 2012 or May of 2012. My window sticker has the following number CE071 N RB 2X 220 0033269 05 07 12 . I think this indicates the build order was issued was May 12, 2012. The truck was purchased about August 7, 2012 so it should be under warranty for a while yet, right? the VIN is 1FTFX1ET7CFB95160.

I would like to add a backup camera. Do you have an recommendations? It is a XLT without navigation, so I would need the display in the mirror.

[delcecchi]

FF had a wireless back up camera in the ad this week.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

Your truck was built may 14, 2012. Your warranty start date was august 6, 2012, as long as your within your mileage you should have some warranty left. I would rather get it fixed before something more happens, but it is your truck.

On your back up camera.... the trucks are wired diferently, the fatory stuffs is a no go. You will have to get some sort of aftermarket stuffs.

[Whoaru99]

I would appreciate some pictures of the new CAC. Also any other differences between the original and new CAC. Also could you check a new build 2013 and compare it to a the replacement CAC. Some said there are further changes. That is why I am thinking of wait, to see if there is a further tsb that brings it up to the latest 2013 version. I think my truck was built sometime between May 7 and May 12. There was a sticker on the front door or A pillar, but it disappeared after I had the oil changed!? That sticker had a 05 12 number on it, not sure if that is May 12, 2012 or May of 2012. My window sticker has the following number CE071 N RB 2X 220 0033269 05 07 12 . I think this indicates the build order was issued was May 12, 2012. The truck was purchased about August 7, 2012 so it should be under warranty for a while yet, right? the VIN is 1FTFX1ET7CFB95160.

I would like to add a backup camera. Do you have an recommendations? It is a XLT without navigation, so I would need the display in the mirror.

My advice is take what you can get now because my experience working for an OEM is they generally don't release short term fixes with a plan in the works for something better to the field, like a complete rework to the current production level. Sure, sometimes that happens, but I wouldn't bank on it.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

So we had one come in today for a new CAC. I did not see one difference between the new and old CAC. I dunno....

[delcecchi]

My advice is take what you can get now because my experience working for an OEM is they generally don't release short term fixes with a plan in the works for something better to the field, like a complete rework to the current production level. Sure, sometimes that happens, but I wouldn't bank on it.

My cynicism says they will release the cheapest fix that they think may fix the problem. Eventually they will release a fix that does fix the problem, although in this case it might take a while since it is connected to emissions so I think it has to go through some sort of certification, doesn't it?

[RonD45]

The latest word on the forums, is that the extra plumbing on the 2013 is the BOV (blow off valve). The BOV used to be at the output of the turbo's, but it is now after the CAC. If the BOV was at the bottom of the CAC it would blow any collected moisture out, but it is half way up the CAC so it really doesn't have that effect. Maybe moving the BOV was a cost reduction, as it means they only need 1 BOV instead of 2. No one is reporting problems with the new CAC, but it is fall/winter and the weather has changed so problems are less likely. Have to wait until next spring to know for sure if they have a good fix.

[Whoaru99]

My cynicism says they will release the cheapest fix that they think may fix the problem. Eventually they will release a fix that does fix the problem, although in this case it might take a while since it is connected to emissions so I think it has to go through some sort of certification, doesn't it?

There's no cynical about it. That's virtually certain to be the way it works. Why would they do anything else...spend $20 if $10 gets it done? Not happening. On the quantity of vehicles at that level of OEM, even pennies matter big.

There won't be a second fix unless the first fix doesn't fix it.

About emissiones...I don't know. About testing, yeah, that can take a while depending on the nature of the changes and how much risk they're willing to take regarding the effectiveness of the fix.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

So I replaced my first C.A.C. per this tsb. Again I did not see any difference in the C.A.C.s. What i did notice is that a 1/2(?) cup of water came out and there was ice build up in the bottom of the C.A.C. FYI water in a cylinder or ice cant do it any good.

that is ice in the bottom of the C.A.C.

this is the deflector they talk about.

[RonD45]

Did this truck have the P0300 and P030x codes set in the computer? Any clue how or why the new CAC would prevent this?