Ford eco boost

grsthegreat · Dec 13, 2024

I just had the local Ford Dealership mobile mechanic service on my 2020 f150. 2 men with tricked out service truck. Rotated tires, checked and topped out all fluids, tested battery and electrical system, oil change with fluids and synthetic oil, check brakes, check differential and transfer case fluids. decarbonized engine using 2 step method….. that took the longest time, and boy did it stink. One guy than drove truck to clear from chemical cleaning, than they replaced plugs. All without having to sit in waiting room. Also, i could watch the service being performed.

Very impressed. And they showed up when they said they would. That was a big surprise.

Next year im probably going to service tranny and transfer case plus differentials, but the mechanic informed me i might wait another year as the milage didnt really warrant it yet. Being proactive as i am….i my do it anyways.

deserteagle71 · Dec 13, 2024

grsthegreat said:
I just had the local Ford Dealership mobile mechanic service on my 2020 f150. 2 men with tricked out service truck. Rotated tires, checked and topped out all fluids, tested battery and electrical system, oil change with fluids and synthetic oil, check brakes, check differential and transfer case fluids. decarbonized engine using 2 step method….. that took the longest time, and boy did it stink. One guy than drove truck to clear from chemical cleaning, than they replaced plugs. All without having to sit in waiting room. Also, i could watch the service being performed.

Very impressed. And they showed up when they said they would. That was a big surprise.

Next year im probably going to service tranny and transfer case plus differentials, but the mechanic informed me i might wait another year as the milage didnt really warrant it yet. Being proactive as i am….i my do it anyways.

So...tell us more. Which engine powers your F150? How many miles on it? Also...what is "decarbonizing" the engine??? I've been an F150 owner for nearly 9 years now; I follow the F150 forums and yet I've never heard of this procedure.

grsthegreat · Dec 14, 2024

Its a 2020 3.5l 2nd generation. Apparently these have twin injectors, a high and a low pressure. That, and twin turbos. The injectors can get carbon buildup and this causes plug misfiring. They recommend the carbon removal prior to new plugs. The book says 90-100,000 miles. But my truck sees heavier use, as i have alot of dirt road use and also service generators on cell towers. That, and i bought it used so not sure how it was used. I did the service early to be proactive.

My 2017 tundra 5.7l is going to heed the same thing done in about 10,000 miles.

TCowner · Dec 14, 2024

May we ask what was the cost for the decarbonization service?

YLee Kioti · Dec 14, 2024

Direct Fuel Injection engines will suffer greatly because of design. It is to meet EPA crap.
Normal FI engines get the intake valve washed by the AF mixture.
DI never gets exposed to this.
This also means shorter oil drain intervals due to the recycled blow-by.
Those with dual injection systems, well marketing over whelms the buyer when making a decision and the salesman will not inform you of the down side of a DI engine.
And it will only get worse.
The 2027 EPS specs for diesels is well cough cough ah never mind....
you can see it here.

grsthegreat · Dec 14, 2024

I forgot what the cost breakdown was per item done, it was something like $150. The plugs are something like $18 each. But it only needs to be done every 60,000 mi along with plugs. Thats many years of driving. Honestly, i enjoy the performance of this engine over the one it replaced so much, i can care less what is needed to keep er going.

Heck, i still remember my 1975 f350 that ate plugs every year… along with distributer, points, condenser issues. Never mind stalling when driving thru deep puddles of water.

deezler · Dec 16, 2024

The point of the dual fuel injectors (port and direct) on the 2nd gen EcoBoost design is to specifically avoid carbon build up on the intake valves (the port fuel injection washes them with gas). Each cylinder explodes gasoline at >1500° 50+ times per second, so there really shouldn't be any carbon accumulating anywhere in-cylinder. I don't plan on ever doing a chemical snake-oil "decarbonization" on mine unless I get a specific symptom that can't be cured otherwise..... But I would post that story on f150ecoboost.net forum and see what the brain trust thinks.

grsthegreat · Dec 16, 2024

deezler said:
The point of the dual fuel injectors (port and direct) on the 2nd gen EcoBoost design is to specifically avoid carbon build up on the intake valves (the port fuel injection washes them with gas). Each cylinder explodes gasoline at >1500° 50+ times per second, so there really shouldn't be any carbon accumulating anywhere in-cylinder. I don't plan on ever doing a chemical snake-oil "decarbonization" on mine unless I get a specific symptom that can't be cured otherwise..... But I would post that story on f150ecoboost.net forum and see what the brain trust thinks.

I had my doubts about it at first, but went on other forums before I authorized the work. The consensus seamed to be it was required. Most people said they did it themselves instead of the dealer. Actual work was pretty straight forward, but took about a half hour. Me, i need this truck for work and the entire service is a write off, so i went ahead and did the work. Ive always been a proactive guy, thats why the truck i replaced with this one had over 360,000 miles on it, and was still running when i sold it.

Even the dealer said the plugs and decarbon could have waited until 90,000 miles on the truck, but i bought this used and now have 55,000 on it. I do alot of rough off road driving for work, and just want it done early and during my off season. I have no idea of how the previous owner used the rig. Overall the entire service cost less than i make in one day servicing generators.

Heres one article i read where they tore into the engine