Ford 3.5 Econoboost

[MossflowerWoods]

I have a 2011 Ford Flex Crossover with the EcoBoost V6. I have well over 33,000 miles on it and it has averaged 19mpg in mixed city, rural back road, hwy driving. I picked it up July 5th 2011 with 100 miles on the odometer.

I've only towed once so far, a flatbed with 50 square bales, in the snow. and it puled at least as easy as my 2wd F-150 with 5.4 Triton.

I also have 3 speeding tickets in the first 8 months of driving it.

I bought the 100,000 mile warranty & prepaid scheduled maintenance, all at 0% with nothing down.

I LOVE that vehicle.
David

 

[Soundguy]

the turbo coking stuff got me to thinking.

I know the turbo inmy old 84 pontiac had a coked bearing problem one time..

now that makes me wonder.. what did ford ( navistar? ) put on them 7.3's vs the 6.0 turbo's

are they oil only or water. also.. anyone using an intercooler?

 

[swines]

....also.. anyone using an intercooler?

The EcoBoost has an air-to-air intercooler. The opening for the intercooler is below the front bumper.

 

[Highbeam]

now that makes me wonder.. what did ford ( navistar? ) put on them 7.3's vs the 6.0 turbo's

are they oil only or water. also.. anyone using an intercooler?

Both 7.3 and 6.0 are oil cooled. The 6.0 uses a goofy Variable vane turbo that does get gooped up.

 

[Robert F.]

A turbo would not scare me. All diesels are turbo. Now a turbo from the 80s, yes, but today, no.

What has made your GM such a high cost to maintain and run truck?

Chris

Chris, maybe I expect too much. Have not had any problems with the drive train, you'd never know it has 135,000 miles, runs no different that it did when I bought it. I don't consider maintenance items as problems. For a while, I had what seemed like endless "check engine" issues. Dealer finally took care of it but many trips there and lost time. It is somewhat like someone here said, power window motor, fan clutch, air conditioner clutch, ignition switch....... Not big huge things, just annoying. Some of it may be due to not being repaired as it should have. Front wheel bearing, use to be twenty bucks and a little labor took care of front wheel bearings. Not any more. Within two years, I had to have the left front replaced twice and the right front once. I take excellent care of my vehicles but I don't really know about the previous owner. Maybe if I buy new instead of used?

 

[Soundguy]

i heard about them VV turbo's.. interesting things I guess.. untill one has a problem..

 

[WilliamBos]

The ABS speed sensor is in the unit bearing, hence the higher price. Stay away from aftermarket ones, GM ones do last longer.

I bought my current truck from a GM dealer, optimum used with full warranty. Next one will be the same, or new, depends whats out there.

Will not buy private or off Joe Schmoe car lots.

Chris, maybe I expect too much. Have not had any problems with the drive train, you'd never know it has 135,000 miles, runs no different that it did when I bought it. I don't consider maintenance items as problems. For a while, I had what seemed like endless "check engine" issues. Dealer finally took care of it but many trips there and lost time. It is somewhat like someone here said, power window motor, fan clutch, air conditioner clutch, ignition switch....... Not big huge things, just annoying. Some of it may be due to not being repaired as it should have. Front wheel bearing, use to be twenty bucks and a little labor took care of front wheel bearings. Not any more. Within two years, I had to have the left front replaced twice and the right front once. I take excellent care of my vehicles but I don't really know about the previous owner. Maybe if I buy new instead of used?

 

[frischtr]

Duramax has had a VGT since '04 with the LLY, Cummins since '07.5 with the 6.7. Ford has had a VGT or a variation of it since the 6.0 in '03... Not a new technology at this point. The key to keeping the VGT from getting clogged with soot is to step on the loud pedal every so often and quit driving like a grandma.

 

[WilliamBos]

Duramax has had a VGT since '04 with the LLY, Cummins since '07.5 with the 6.7. Ford has had a VGT or a variation of it since the 6.0 in '03... Not a new technology at this point. The key to keeping the VGT from getting clogged with soot is to step on the loud pedal every so often and quit driving like a grandma.

Let them cool down properly, use a good quality oil, and DO NOT extend the drain intervals.

 

[frischtr]

Let them cool down properly, use a good quality oil, and DO NOT extend the drain intervals.

That is true for any oil cooled turbo, I was specifically speaking to keeping the vanes in a VGT functioning fluidly.