F150 Ecoboost oil change interval

[Cujet]

Our company-car (er, truck) is a 2011 F150 Ecoboost Super Crew XLT. It's a very nice vehicle and generally runs exceptionally well and has 20K miles.

It's oil change interval is listed as 10,000 miles. The oil life monitor also accurately reflects a 10,000 mile OCI. I used Mobil 1 5w30 Extended performance oil. And at 9,700 miles on the oil, the truck was obviously running poorly. The engine was not as quiet, and idle was quite rough.

I also had an episode of 5 cylinder operation and a rapidly flashing check engine light. I'm not sure if it was oil related (pumped up valve lash adjuster) or injector related. As the problem corrected itself. But, after changing the oil, the truck ran perfectly, smoothly and I've experienced no additional issues.

While I did not perform a used oil analysis, I am convinced a 10K mile oil change interval is way too much for this engine. The oil was pitch black, smelled strongly burnt and was quite thin.

 

[tommygunn]

Or is it possible the truck has other issues causing severe oil degredation?

 

[UNC151]

It is a DI engine and (I thought) I read there could be a problem with fuel dilution in the oil even with "normal" OCIs? The other issue was build up in the exhaust ports behind the valves?

I would UOA at 5K and see where you stand. You can always extend past that, but at least you would know if there is fuel (or other contaminants) in the oil.

 

[JHZR2]

Thats some crazy stuff to happen because of a 10k OCI. I assume with a cel on you took it to the dealer to get scanned???

 

[L_Sludger]

I'm with the others, you would really benefit from a used oil analysis.

 

[dave1251]

This sounds like more than just extended the OCI too long.

 

[msmoke00]

On the F150 forum we are seeing more and more issues with fuel dilution in the Eco. Even with all highway miles and long trips the fuel is still being an issue. Most over there are starting to do 3k-5k mile OCI because the fuel is becoming such an issue on wear.
May not be related to the issue, could be coincidence with changing the oil, but even on a company truck I'd lobby for a shorter interval.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: dave1251
This sounds like more than just extended the OCI too long.


I have to sincerely doubt that the OCIs they prescribed on a work vehicle, running on synthetic, are going to be troublesome on a truck so new.

Id love to know what the codes pulled by the dealer were.

 

[volk06]

My ecoboost sees 5k oci on full synthetic. Probably overkill but it's cheap insurance to me.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: volk06
My ecoboost sees 5k oci on full synthetic. Probably overkill but it's cheap insurance to me.


Agreed, if I owned one it would not move 1" past 5K mi before it got a change...

 

[Cujet]

Interestingly, my 09 F150 with 5.4L V8 has a 7500 mile OCI and it's sump contains one more quart than the Ecoboost, it's not turbocharged or direct injected. Weird.

While I absolutely love the Ecoboost's power, I'm less enamored with it's driving qualities. For such a powerful engine, it certainly upshifts into a gear it can't pull quite regularly. Hills are quite annoying on the Ecoboost truck. Especially when compared to the less powerful 5.4L V8, which motors up long hills without issue.

I'm sure the current OCI is going to be revised to 5000 miles. In fact, I believe the oil life monitor is "user programmable".

the EB truck has not been to the dealer yet, as I just returned from a 4000 mile road trip with it. I am interested in finding out exactly what happened.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

It's a turbocharged, high revving car engine put in a pickup for fuel economy. I'm not surprised that it shifts up way too early.

 

[jb2trbof150]

I've also got an ecoboost, and strongly advise no more than 5000 mile OCI...my Blackstone report with 4600 miles on MC semisyn 5-30 came back as needing changed (2.0 TBN)...but the OLM showed about 50%.

 

[volk06]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
Interestingly, my 09 F150 with 5.4L V8 has a 7500 mile OCI and it's sump contains one more quart than the Ecoboost, it's not turbocharged or direct injected. Weird.

While I absolutely love the Ecoboost's power, I'm less enamored with it's driving qualities. For such a powerful engine, it certainly upshifts into a gear it can't pull quite regularly. Hills are quite annoying on the Ecoboost truck. Especially when compared to the less powerful 5.4L V8, which motors up long hills without issue.

I'm sure the current OCI is going to be revised to 5000 miles. In fact, I believe the oil life monitor is "user programmable".

the EB truck has not been to the dealer yet, as I just returned from a 4000 mile road trip with it. I am interested in finding out exactly what happened.


My ecoboost never shifts going up steep inclines where the 5.4l always shifts to 4th gear. The Eco just builds boost and goes. It all depends on the gearing in the rear end. Now upshifting way to early ill agree on that, 45mph in 6th gear... Just turn haul tow mode on to get rid of that. designed that way for mpg.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: jb2trbof150
I've also got an ecoboost, and strongly advise no more than 5000 mile OCI...my Blackstone report with 4600 miles on MC semisyn 5-30 came back as needing changed (2.0 TBN)...but the OLM showed about 50%.


A 2.0 TBN is hardly a reason to change the oil.

 

[Cujet]

Originally Posted By: volk06

My ecoboost never shifts going up steep inclines where the 5.4l always shifts to 4th gear. The Eco just builds boost and goes. It all depends on the gearing in the rear end. Now upshifting way to early ill agree on that, 45mph in 6th gear... Just turn haul tow mode on to get rid of that. designed that way for mpg.


This one has, I think, a 3.15 rear gear. It turns well less than 2000 RPM at any highway speed. What I noticed is that the truck will downshift up the long hills and hold 5th gear, no matter what. That's nice. But it seems to like being around 1600-1750RPM and that's not enough to pull the long, steep hills. More throttle results in it dropping 2 or 3 gears and it "takes off".

Tow/haul mode forces it into the very same gear it would have eventually picked up the hill (5th). In this case, it's no help at all. As it uses 5th gear for every long highway hill. Even on 6% + grades.

If the truck had a manual gear selection, it would have been perfect for the hills. But, there is no way to select 4th gear. It's 5th or 3rd gear. Or, if it had a 3.55 rear gear, it might have been much more pleasant.

In addition, since I drove skyline drive/blue ridge end to end, the truck was always a gear too high, even at slow speeds. I found it annoying. Even if it did return 20MPG on the BR parkway.

I may try Mobil 1 5W-40 Turbo Diesel Truck, as that oil has a very high TBN, and it works well on long drain intervals.

 

[MrCritical]

And may I suggest top tier fuels only.

 

[Norm Olt]

Anyone remember the early turbo-charged Saabs & Volvos?

My personal opinion is that the major manufacturers are not quite as concerned about what happens to their great new products after they go out of warranty as they are in selling a new vehicle to the customers who are going off a three-year lease...

Back to the subject: going to a 5K OCI on a $35,000+ (+++?) vehicle with a relatively new powertrain that exhibits the symptoms described in the OP would seem, at the very least, to be "advisable". Establishing a written history of visits to the dealership, codes read, etc. is also "advisable", IMHO.

Cheers!

 

[RickyC]

3.15 rear gears is your issue if your EB can't pull a hill. My Max Tow 3.73 Ecoboost will run 65mph, 70mph, whatever speed I want up any hill with the cruise control set and doesn't downshift. If I pull my open car trailer (5300lbs), with the cruise set at 70-72mph, it only downshifts to 5th gear on the steepest of hills. Sounds to me like you ordered the wrong setup for your driving style.

 

[BeerCan]

I too had no problems with the EB and hills on a recent trip, but I have 3.55 gears.

I do seem to have a problem with dilution, my last report was over 5% @ 5K miles. I just sent another sample in to be tested (5.3K miles). Based on the strong odor of gasoline I fully expect another poor showing on the dilution front. If it comes back over 5% I am going to try and get Ford to give me an official answer on it.