Short trips with EB 2.0...

[Skyline]

My driving habits haven't changed, mostly do short trips, roughly 4k miles per year, where the engine does not reach operating temperature most of the times. This is especially prevalent in the winter time. The EB 2.0 DFI system does build up fuel in the engine oil in this case, that can show up as increased oil level. To remediate the excessive fuel buildup in engine oil is to drive longer trip at higher speed; alternatively, just change the oil more frequently, like every six month or so, instead of once a year.

Is the EB 2.0 fuel buildup in engine oil is a real issue with 98% of the mileage short trips, or am I making a "mountain from a molehill"?
TIA...

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[dalola]

No one can really speak to your situation....Have you done an oil analysis at different mileage intervals? That's really the best way to determine your maintenance schedule.

But in general, short trips are never ideal for any petro engine, and will require a modified maintenance schedule to ensure long term performance.

 

[Skyline]

For a naturally aspirating internal combustion engine, short trips are not an issue. At least it had not been for my my previous Ford F150 V6. The Maverick's first oil change was around 1K miles and about to change it again after six month, with little over 1K miles. Between oil changes the engine oil level didn't change much, if any, or at least, it is not that noticeable.

I have not done oil analysis, nor do I plan to do one for number of reasons. My mechanic does the oil change and it's a pain to get a sample, send it out and wait for the reply. I'll just keep an eye on the oil level.

With DFI engine, fuel does get in the oil anyway, regardless of the trip distance. the difference is the amount of fuel getting into the oil. The PCV system does return some of this fuel to the engine, including motor oil; the latter one can foul-up the intake valves on the long run. That's just the nature of the "EBeast"...

 

[Krischievous]

Interesting, I never knew this. I average about 4k a year on a good year and never took into account what this might mean for the car I'm driving. Ill need to consider this in the future. Thanks

 

[dalola]

Interesting, I never knew this. I average about 4k a year on a good year and never took into account what this might mean for the car I'm driving. Ill need to consider this in the future. Thanks

Annual mileage exclusively is not the best way to evaluate your maintenance schedule. Maybe you take forty 100 mile trips each year. Or maybe it's one thousand 4 mile trips. Big difference from a maintenance perspective.

Again, if you are unsure when you should be changing your oil, and you're interested in maximum efficiency, an analysis is the way to go. Otherwise, more often is better.

 

[colinl]

As long as the truck hits 4 bars on the temp readout several times a week it's probably fine. If your trips are so short that isn't happening at least every few days, definitely remote start the truck and let it idle for 10 min, or sit in it if you prefer.

You definitely want to use fuel stabilizer if you're not getting through a tankful at least within 3-4 weeks, at any point during the year.

BTW FordPass is programmed to hit 0% oil life in 12 months, even if the mileage is nowhere near 10k. It's 12 months or 10k miles to 0%. My wife's Bronco just ticked over 5,000 miles and we've had it since April '22, and we did 1200 miles on a single trip in May '22 before I got my Maverick. It's probably going to be an annual ritual for the dealership to see it in April.

 

[Skyline]

Thanks @colinl ....

The truck's temperature does hit four bars, max temperature that I've seen, more than once a week. In some cases barely, but it does reach that. Any chance I get the truck does make it to the highway, by which time it already warmed up. I am just concerned about the fuel build up in the oil...

I haven't kept a track of the time, but the fill-ups are around three weeks time frame, varies depending on number of things. Fuel freshness is not an issue in my view.

Yeah, the oil life is around 50% after six month, since the last oil change. There will be an oil change on next week or so. Maybe I should get it analyzed just to see how much fuel builds up in the oil in six month or so. and take it from there...

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