F-150 EcoBoost Engine Losing Power
Problem related to moisture entering CAC; service bulletins and new parts issued
By Bruce W. Smith
Ford’s F-150 EcoBoost turned a lot of head’s when it was introduced because it performed so well. That’s lead to it being one of Ford’s best selling models.
But there are a few engine issues.
It’s been a well-documented problem that a number of Ford’s EcoBoost 3.5L V-6 in the F-150 have experienced loss of power during humid or wet conditions while under boost. This can be a real concern while towing.
In some cases the engine’s power control module (PCM) aledgedly puts the engine into “limp-home” mode.
That’s resulted in several lawsuits being filed on behalf of disgruntled F-150 EcoBoost owners in the U.S. and Canada. It’s also resulted in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) doing a fact-finding investigation.
The issue seems to stem from the Charge Air Cooler (CAC) and software in the PCM related to monitoring moisture in the intake system.
Ford has issued several Technical Service Bulletins (TSBS) related to the EcoBoost moisture issue. The latest fix from Ford is TSB 13-8-1, which adds a special deflector to the CAC and reprogramming of the PCM.
If the NHTSA finds there is a real problem with the power-loss issue, it could affect some 400,000 F-150s with the EcoBoost 3.5L. Watch for recalls.
