2023 EB w Direct Injection, Intake Valves - warranty coverage?

[CajunMick]

It’s no secret the 2023 EB engines will see messy intake valves once mileage put on them. Then depending on how engine maintained, comes a time the valves will need cleaning, probably blasted with walnut shells.

And it’s no secret the new 2025+ EB engine are now fitted with intake manifold injectors with intent to “wash” the intake valves, prevent junk buildups.

Hence here’s my question - if the “power train” warranted for 100k miles for 2023 models, does it mean that if the engine intake valves requires inspection, and cleaning, does the warranty cover inspection and subsequent blasting/cleaning of the valves? Or we owners are out of luck?

Anyone experienced, how dealers handle situation like this?

Sponsored

 

[RR - All the way]

I do not know but if I were to hazard a guess, it would be a big NO on it being covered under warranty. How would ford determine how bad the symptoms had to be to warrant inspection and cleaning?? Again, just surmising but I think most pre-2025 EB's will not require cleaning before 100K miles....... Dang, no wonder black walnuts are so hard to crack.

 

[Brian_J]

the ecoboost powertrain warranty is only for 60,000 miles. i thought the hybrid already had port injection. with that, i dont recall seeing anyone getting their valves cleaned yet.

 

[Darnon]

Valve cleaning would be a maintenance item.

 

[CajunMick]

Valve cleaning would be a maintenance item.

Not one as easy like changing oil n filter.

Seen anther post where an owner removed intake, blasted his valves with walnut and blaster tools. Obviously his shop equipped to do his own maintenance chores. I have decent ”shop” with can do capability. But age creep not kind to me. I keep entertaining ideal need to trade up to not face thus valves issues.

 

[Tiger Dude]

Great big NO on warranty coverage. Wait until it's actually a problem before worrying about it.

 

[Chops]

I don’t think Ford even performs this service - let alone do it for free.

An independent shop will do it for $300-$600? The benefit might be slightly better mpg with cleaned ports? Might be worth it if you’re high mileage & plan to keep your truck a long time…

Many (most?) vehicles on the road today are direct injection only.,,

 

[notfast]

if the “power train” warranted for 100k miles for 2023 models, does it mean that if the engine intake valves requires inspection, and cleaning, does the warranty cover inspection and subsequent blasting/cleaning of the valves? Or we owners are out of luck?

As mentioned, the powertrain warranty is 60k.

I'm not a warranty claim expert, but based on my experience working at a shop, I'd suspect that inspection and cleaning of the intake valves is going to be considered a maintenance item. And thus not covered under warranty because it's not caused by a manufacturing defect but rather it's a known characteristic of a direct injection only engine.

 

[HeyBales]

There have been posters with their Ford dealership work orders showing suggested maintenance of valve cleaning.
If the shop is new enough to have the tool - they are going to suggest it early.
IIRC from the posters - their mileage wasn't even that high yet to warrant it - replies were to get picture from their inspection showing it was bad enough.

 

[Chops]

I think Ford’s “valve cleaning service” is running some CRC Valve cleaner or Motorcraft equivalent through your throttle body. $15 spray can & $175 labor?

Doing the intake spray cleaning yourself is less expensive for sure. I noticed performance benefits on my non-turbo vehicle with direct injection only.

If you’re are going to use the intake cleaner on a turbo engine - key is to do it early (5000mi?) and keep it up (5000mi). Otherwise you risk carbon buildup bits/chunks being sucked into your turbo causing damage.

Also, I think the throttle body on our Mavericks may be hard to access - so I would pay Ford to do it…

I can’t imagine Ford charging less than $1000 to do a walnut shell blast on a partially disassembled EB…

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

I would imagine that the only hope to get valve cleaning covered under the 5year/60K miles is if you throw an error code, traceable to the carbon build-up. Since yours is a 2023, you're 3/5 of the way out of warranty. Where are you at, mileage-wise?

HRG

 

[HeyBales]

I think Ford’s “valve cleaning service” is running some CRC Valve cleaner or Motorcraft equivalent through your throttle body. $15 spray can & $175 labor?

Doing the intake spray cleaning yourself is less expensive for sure. I noticed performance benefits on my non-turbo vehicle with direct injection only.

If your are going to use the intake cleaner on a turbo engine - key is to do it early (5000mi?) and keep it up (5000mi). Otherwise you risk carbon buildup bits/chunks being sucked into your turbo causing damage.

Also, I think the throttle body on our Mavericks may be hard to access - so I would pay Ford to do it…

I can’t imagine Ford charging less than $1000 to do a walnut shell blast on a partially disassembled EB…

It was up around that cost - and it said walnut shell blasting.
Haven't seen it posted in awhile.

But indeed, seen many "the works" posts with the obvious fuel additive solution way overpriced also, and very early.
But then again, do need to start that early to prevent a problem, since that's not going to remove a buildup problem.
Or as it's always replied back - just use top tier fuel.

Not sure I noticed your throttle body work mentioned - that would make sense for labor then - feeding a can in hopefully over a while - probably getting rid of the error codes afterwards because it was open air system.

 

[MaverickDragon]

the ecoboost powertrain warranty is only for 60,000 miles. i thought the hybrid already had port injection. with that, i dont recall seeing anyone getting their valves cleaned yet.

You are correct.
The Mav Hybrid uses port injection rather than direct injection, so the fuel/air mixture automatically provides a solvent to help keep the intake valves clean.

The EcoBoost has both direct and port injection for 25, previously DI only which didn't have the intake valve cleaning bonus. The dual injection system has the best of both.

Interesting that the AI robots are completely out to lunch if you ask them about the Maverick's injection system. They confuse the EB and hybrids and provide completely different answers on a single reply.
Stupid robots...

 

[CajunMick]

I would imagine that the only hope to get valve cleaning covered under the 5year/60K miles is if you throw an error code, traceable to the carbon build-up. Since yours is a 2023, you're 3/5 of the way out of warranty. Where are you at, mileage-wise?

HRG

8,6xx now. 3 yrs vehicle warranty up in October. Retired, hardly drive anywhere. Mostly local trips, < 6 miles. Longest trip so far Houston to Pensacola, and return.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

8,6xx now. 3 yrs vehicle warranty up in October. Retired, hardly drive anywhere. Mostly local trips, < 6 miles. Longest trip so far Houston to Pensacola, and return.

You need to up your game. My 2024, bought in Sept '24, just hit 34K. I'm retired too, but I'm out seeing the sights,,,,,,

HRG

Sponsored