F150 ecoboost drilled my intercooler

[Scott65]

I have not had tsbs done because the "fix" makes the intercooler LESS efficient.

You are very correct, that's exactly their purpose. Part of the problem is the over efficiency of the intercooler. It cools the charge air too much at times compared to ambient temperatures and humidity levels. And let's keep in mind, drilling a hole in an otherwise airtight charge air system isn't too good for efficiency either...
If the temperature of the air inside the ic is anywhere near dew point, it's not even close to harming any components. And I wouldn't think it's close to hurting efficiency either because it's already better off than a na engine anyway. It would stand to reason in my mind that it won't hurt it to bring it up a few degrees

I have performed the tsbs on many trucks, and I live in a hot and not particularly humid region most of the time. I have had zero issues arise from it and no reports of decreased drivability or fuel economy. But on the same token, I can't vouch for its effectiveness. In my area, it's only speculation that a truck may be misfiring due to this issue. The customer typically wants the tsb, and a tune up so they don't have it happen again.

 

[jejeosborne]

You are very correct, that's exactly their purpose. Part of the problem is the over efficiency of the intercooler. It cools the charge air too much at times compared to ambient temperatures and humidity levels. And let's keep in mind, drilling a hole in an otherwise airtight charge air system isn't too good for efficiency either...
If the temperature of the air inside the ic is anywhere near dew point, it's not even close to harming any components. And I wouldn't think it's close to hurting efficiency either because it's already better off than a na engine anyway. It would stand to reason in my mind that it won't hurt it to bring it up a few degrees

I have performed the tsbs on many trucks, and I live in a hot and not particularly humid region most of the time. I have had zero issues arise from it and no reports of decreased drivability or fuel economy. But on the same token, I can't vouch for its effectiveness. In my area, it's only speculation that a truck may be misfiring due to this issue. The customer typically wants the tsb, and a tune up so they don't have it happen again.

I would bet you a steak dinner that the tsb will affect HP output when working the engine like towing a trailer. Heat soaking an intercooler is what I want to avoid. Driving unloaded you wouldn't heat soak the cooler. Drilling a small hole for water to drip from will not noticeably affect intake air temperature. I am planning on installing a small valve with an orfice I can open on humid days I tow.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I tried to avoid getting the TSP, but with the first year EB, the plugs came gapped at .088" and i had enough misfires that I was clogging a cat. Sadly, when my dealer swapped out my cat, he also swapped out my perfectly wonderful intercooler, and flashed my ECU. I asked for my old intercooler back, they refused as at the time Ford wanted to look at stuff, and so I drilled a new hole….

 

[jejeosborne]

I tried to avoid getting the TSP, but with the first year EB, the plugs came gapped at .088" and i had enough misfires that I was clogging a cat. Sadly, when my dealer swapped out my cat, he also swapped out my perfectly wonderful intercooler, and flashed my ECU. I asked for my old intercooler back, they refused as at the time Ford wanted to look at stuff, and so I drilled a new hole….

I regapped my stock plugs myself. I believe there is now a different plug we are supposed to use and should probably research that. That sucks that they did all that without asking.

 

[Scott65]

The cat being replaced may have been because of a tsb also. There is one for that as well. Lots of problems stacking up for Ford on this one.

No doubt your right about the effects when towing. I'm sure ford is just trying to find some middle ground. It's also not good for the trucks that are getting the gulps of water. I don't own one of these to allow the time, nor do I have the resources like ford does for research. I can only assume and hope that they have determined that blocking part of the intercooler was the lesser of 2 evils.

The weep hole seems logical to me, but if I had one I would certainly have the valve. In west texas, way too many creepy crawlies and dust blowing around when the truck is parked, and mud puddles to idle through. As a shop, I could never get away with installing it on a customer's truck

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I regapped my stock plugs myself. I believe there is now a different plug we are supposed to use and should probably research that. That sucks that they did all that without asking.

Long time ago I popped in the new plugs gapped to .032.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

The cat being replaced may have been because of a tsb also. There is one for that as well. Lots of problems stacking up for Ford on this one.

No doubt your right about the effects when towing. I'm sure ford is just trying to find some middle ground. It's also not good for the trucks that are getting the gulps of water. I don't own one of these to allow the time, nor do I have the resources like ford does for research. I can only assume and hope that they have determined that blocking part of the intercooler was the lesser of 2 evils.

The weep hole seems logical to me, but if I had one I would certainly have the valve. In west texas, way too many creepy crawlies and dust blowing around when the truck is parked, and mud puddles to idle through. As a shop, I could never get away with installing it on a customer's truck

The cat getting replaced was due to misfires from high gap and moisture from the intercooler causing misfires. Ford changed the gap and then the plugs to sort it out. The hole in the intercooler sorts out the misfire and the hydrolock problem that blew engines while Ford's various covers and smaller intercooler did really fix anything.

The biggest problem with ecoboost engines now is oil dilution from excessive warm-up times (idling while cold to warm the engine up without using block heaters), and carbon buildup on the intake valves (a common problem to all direct injection engines with crankcase emissions systems dumping into the intake system).

 

[TheGoose]

I'm next. Mine shuddered badly on me several times recently.

 

[HHR]

I test drove a 2012 with 184k and noticed no shuddering. Didn't check to see if intercooler was drilled, but I doubt it, because it was only serviced by the dealer.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I test drove a 2012 with 184k and noticed no shuddering. Didn't check to see if intercooler was drilled, but I doubt it, because it was only serviced by the dealer.

19.6 mpg average is awesome. Mine is a 2012 with 60,000 miles and I'm at 18.3

Chris