2022 EcoBoost Oil Analysis Shows >5% Fuel Dilution!

[pa-outdoorsman]

While yours is "double" the accepted amount, you brought to light, in my Hybrid I fall into this category.

Many (almost all) short trips.
While the engine sometimes gets to full temperature, it does not sit there very long. I may be susceptible to gas dilution as well.

But the hybrid's gas engine is not direct injection, is it? The issue is probably much less significant in non-GDI engines.

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[pa-outdoorsman]

Fuel dilution is a product of never getting the oil up to operating temperature. Really high fuel dilution is a product of a cold start, short idle period and then an oil change. I have 4 DI Ford engines that regularly get up to temperature and oil changes are performed after cool down not after cold start. Never had the slightest fuel dilution.

Interesting. I did "warm the engine up" for 5 minutes prior to doing the last change. Are you saying, next time just change the oil "cold" and compare the test results?

 

[dags1207]

Oh man. I'm so glad I bought a hybrid!!

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

Took it out of my mouth hahaha

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Thank you for sharing your results with us!

 

[GPSMan]

Fuel dilution is a product of never getting the oil up to operating temperature. Really high fuel dilution is a product of a cold start, short idle period and then an oil change. I have 4 DI Ford engines that regularly get up to temperature and oil changes are performed after cool down not after cold start. Never had the slightest fuel dilution.

This is horrible if "minutes since last start" or "since long trip" will have drastic, even measurable effects on the oil sample. I would think NOT.

Oil dilution with gas should be gradual over a long period of time. But will one "long hot trip" evaporate it all off?

Hmmm.......

 

[todd92]

Oil dilution is not 'gradual over a long period of time'. Where did you get that from?

 

[LSchicago]

This is common with direct injected engines.

 

[LSchicago]

While yours is "double" the accepted amount, you brought to light, in my Hybrid I fall into this category.

Many (almost all) short trips.
While the engine sometimes gets to full temperature, it does not sit there very long. I may be susceptible to gas dilution as well.

Not as bad because hybrids are not direct injected.

 

[NoVaJimmy]

Doubtful. In fact, I would be surprised if many Mavericks didn't return a similar result if tested. As the report says, high fuel dilution is common in direct injected engines.

I don't drive a ton. Making many short trips, where the engine doesn't get super hot, could contribute to this as less fuel may be burned off as it circulates through the engine.

I highly doubt there is any real problem with the issue, or short-term danger to its operation, which is perfect. My concern in testing/monitoring is more about long-term reliability of the engine, and I would think doing what I can to reduce fuel dilution will be beneficial for the long run.

I posted mine of about 3%. It's a real and verifiable issue on these depending on driving habits, climate, fuel used and so on and so on. As mentioned I now have well over 300k miles on Ecoboost 2.0 motors between three Fords to include the current Maverick and these things NEED fresh oil for many owners. The factory recommended intervals are a joke if you want your Ecoboost to last.

 

[MiMav]

All in report looks good EXCEPT the analysis shows a fuel dilution of greater than 5%, and SEVERELY low viscosity.

Thanks for the info. Did the dip stick show an increase in level?

 

[fossil]

I posted mine of about 3%. It's a real and verifiable issue on these depending on driving habits, climate, fuel used and so on and so on. As mentioned I now have well over 300k miles on Ecoboost 2.0 motors between three Fords to include the current Maverick and these things NEED fresh oil for many owners. The factory recommended intervals are a joke if you want your Ecoboost to last.

what kind of failures did you experience on you 3 EBs?

 

[Jeff D.]

If this dilution problem is truly inherent in the engine design, and idling, outside temps, trip distance, etc. all have a large impact on the oil change interval, I'd think Ford could program the oil change indicator to better predict when a change is really needed.

What good is the indicator if it's wrong? I would think all the data is readily availabel to the vehicles computers. I also would think it shouldn't take a super computer to figure it out more accurately.

I'm no fan of changing oil out that's still good or giving the Jiffy Lube monkeys more chances to strip the threads off my drain plug, but running an engine with oil that smells like gas can't be good either.

 

[Skyline]

Moral of the story, run top quality motor oil and change every 3500 miles MAX. Unless of course one plans on getting rid of the truck before the drivetrain warranty expires, then who cares, except maybe the next guy but that's part of the crap shoot buying used. Good luck. Enjoy your truck.

, agreed, except why wait for the drivetrain, get rid of it next spring... semi-kidding...

People, including the dealer, questioned why my Maqverick had the first oil change around 950 miles back in May. I had my reasons... Since then, the truck has about 1,700 miles and will change the oil next week. Does it really need it? No, but willing to bet, that oil has lot of fuel in it. That's due to the average 2 - 4 miles round trips, with minimum of one and at times more than one stops. Most of the times the engine isn't fully warmed up. As quick as the EB 2.0 warms up, especially in the summer, it'll have hard time to do the same in the winter during these short trips.

Reduced viscosity really comes in play when the engine is started cold. If the fuel in the engine oil removes the lubricating film, then it's metal vs. metal until the oil pressure builds up and gets between them. I really don't like that, hence the reason for changing the oil. Even if I may sell it in the spring...

 

[VicRattlehead]

A catch can probably wouldn’t hurt.

 

[pa-outdoorsman]

Thanks for the info. Did the dip stick show an increase in level?

I gotta be honest, I didn't even check the level prior to draining. However, I would not have noticed anyhow unless it had been WAY over full.

Now that I have these test results, I'll check the dipstick tomorrow and then monitor that as the baseline between now and my next change to see if there is any noticeable increase in fluid level.

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