Ecoboost engine question -- prevent carbon build up in the cylinder head?

[athertonbt]

The current iteration of the 2.0L has been around since the 2017 Escape, yeah?
Would like to see what the highest mileage version of this engine looks like 6 years down the road, but can't seem to find any solid info out there. With 6 years on the clock, there are definitely some out there with good wear and tear to analyze and break down I would think.

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[Skyline]

High mileage EB 2.0 will have carbon buildup on the valves, that impacts performance down the road. That's due to the PCV valve redirecting the crankcase vapors to the air intake. This video has a pretty good explanation of that:



Oil catch cans will delay this buildup, but do not eliminate it; none of the catch cans remove 100% of the crankcase vapors AFAIK....

 

[realshelby]

If crankcase vapors were the only thing that caused the intake build up....
You could ( illegally) just vent them to atmosphere.
And you could bet OEM's would be investing in a filter/distiller that eliminated the problem.

But the fact is that some of the build up does come from gasses coming into the intake port from the combustion chamber as the intake valve opens to begin the intake stroke. The intake valve begins opening before top dead center on the exhaust stroke and there is enough turbulence and pressure to push some exhaust gas past the opening intake. There are a lot of factors in play to complicate this.
Called Reversion. Look it up.
Can fuel additives help? There is a chance that a small amount could get into the intake port by reversion. I have NO idea if it helps.

 

[Barksdale123]

High mileage EB 2.0 will have carbon buildup on the valves, that impacts performance down the road. That's due to the PCV valve redirecting the crankcase vapors to the air intake. This video has a pretty good explanation of that:



Oil catch cans will delay this buildup, but do not eliminate it; none of the catch cans remove 100% of the crankcase vapors AFAIK....

The visdo seems comprehensive, But not what I wanted to here. My guess is a shop would charge $800-$900. the dealer about $ 1200.

 

[Bill Quattlebaum]

Does the fall under warranty?. Also, it sounds like head removal is not necessary, but only the valve cover.

Ford should have dealt with this before 2023! Just saying, it's not good to be hearing this about a new truck! Is it included in required maintenance?

 

[tom_tucker]

I've heard using the newest GF-6 rated motor oil is the best way to go on these GDI turbo engines. Change it on time and use high quality GF-6 rated oil to prevent carbon build up. Double check that for sure.

 

[FordDiehard]

I am not a technician, so please bear that in mind with my question. Does using Ethanol fuel vs Non-Ethanol fuel have any effect on carbon buildup with DFI? I have been using Non-Ethanol 89 octane gas in my 2117 Focus for the past several years. It costs roughly $.55 more per gallon where I live and averages 4 more MPG while providing a little more pep. I have been using that in My EcoBoost Mav since I took it home March 7th. There is another local distributor that also sells Non-Ethanol 93 octane fuel.

 

[LM42]

Buy certified clean fuel (known as "top-tier fuel). No, you do not ever need premium fuel, unless you really need the extra 5hp that it will give you for some weird reason. I've never had to blow out the carbon, add crap to the fuel, or any other additives. The 2.0 EcoBoost engine in my 2013 Fusion does not build up carbon like some other manufacturers inferior products. Don't listen to anyone telling you this misinformation, and just drive it.

This is bad information. I was with Ford/Lincoln from 2011 to 2019 and I can tell you with great confidence that we replaced a huge number of Eco boost cylinder heads and even engines due to excess carbon build up. And many at mileage that was shockingly low.

 

[LM42]

Ford should have dealt with this before 2023! Just saying, it's not good to be hearing this about a new truck! Is it included in required maintenance?

This isn't a "ford" problem. It is a direct injected engine problem. Ford is not even close to the only manufacturer that has this issue.

 

[Waterick]

...... Toyota is the only one who goes through the expense of having an injector spray the valves, plus the direct injector.

Not true. As already mentioned, Ford has been doing this for a while on the larger displacement engines (4 cylinder through V8's). Other manufacturers are also doing this among them Hyundai even on the Santa Cruise. This problem does not need to exist, Ford must believe it's not worth engineering for the rest of their line up with electrification so near.

 

[Waterick]

I am not a technician, so please bear that in mind with my question. Does using Ethanol fuel vs Non-Ethanol fuel have any effect on carbon buildup with DFI? I have been using Non-Ethanol 89 octane gas in my 2117 Focus for the past several years. It costs roughly $.55 more per gallon where I live and averages 4 more MPG while providing a little more pep. I have been using that in My EcoBoost Mav since I took it home March 7th. There is another local distributor that also sells Non-Ethanol 93 octane fuel.

I don't believe non-ethanol fuel would have any affect on GDI carbon build up. As long as the ethanol fuel is not old and separated, it's combustion properties are better than regular gasoline. Once again, any top tier fuel is the way to go.

 

[Bill Quattlebaum]

This isn't a "ford" problem. It is a direct injected engine problem. Ford is not even close to the only manufacturer that has this issue.

I never said it was just a Ford problem. It is a problem that has been going on for years. All manufacturers should have come up with a solution by now.

 

[Barksdale123]

Ford should have dealt with this before 2023! Just saying, it's not good to be hearing this about a new truck! Is it included in required maintenance?

Agree. One thing if they keep the truck for a day to take care of it under warranty. Another if they want real money for it. I remember reading in a Motor Trend or C&D that an Aston Martin DB 5 ( yes 007 mobile) needed to have the cylinder head "decoked" after about 10, 000 miles. Same issues as a 50 year old ENGLISH car. Yes unacceptable. (By the way I have owned several English cars) Lots a fun when they can be driven. Lucas electrical system for one.

 

[LM42]

I never said it was just a Ford problem. It is a problem that has been going on for years. All manufacturers should have come up with a solution by now.

You literally said Ford should have fixed this before 2023! I am telling you this isn't a "Ford" problem. There are ways to fix the issue, but the lack of that solution is not a one brand problem.

 

[Bill Quattlebaum]

You literally said Ford should have fixed this before 2023! I am telling you this isn't a "Ford" problem. There are ways to fix the issue, but the lack of that solution is not a one brand problem.

I agree that it isn't a one brand problem. I am concerned since none of the manufacturers have addressed the problem. Certainly, I am concerned since I ordered a Ford with the 2.0 engine. And I stand by my statement that Ford should have fixed the problem before now. Other companies should have fixed the problem, also.

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