Who wants to chat about 2025 Ford V6 3.5L "Ecoboost"?

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Who wants to chat about 2025 Ford V6 3.5L "Ecoboost" and even write about 2020 etc earlier/historic issues that have supposedly been remedied?

I don't know if the 2025 version is specifically different from 2024 or even 2023. I don't think so, but some of you are very knowledgeable!

On a really stupid level, I did even know until this week it's a twin turbo. Are these the same model turbos since day one with this engine?

How is the turbo plumbing holding up for example?

What vehicles do these engine work best in? Anyone do monstrous loads?

Kind of excited finally now that van is on order.
 
I don’t know anything about the 2025 version but I had them in my 2019 and 2021 Raptors and really loved the engine except for maybe the exhaust note. A coworker has a 2012 that’s been trouble free with close to 200k on it.

I changed the oil with Mobil 1 EP 5W30 at 5,000 miles on mine. I’d imagine it’s a great engine for a van. I only towed 6,000 lbs with mine but it didn’t phase it.
 
The reputation is that you want to keep the OCI short....but I literally know no one who owns a Ford-Lincoln (family, friends, neighbors, church peeps). Can you believe that?, lol!
 
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The reputation is that you want to keep the OCI short....but I literally know no one who owns a Ford-Lincoln (family, friends, neighbors, church peeps). Can you believe that?, lol!
It will be changed annually I bet.........depends. Probably depends on miles that you. 6 month changes mainly.

Oil Cap on 2024 in van on the lot said 5W-30!
 
I’m not sure what has been updated for 2025 but I have the transverse mounted first gen version in my 2018 Explorer and it has been running like a champ since new. It now has over 95k on it and it’s still good. I know it isn’t high mileage but I do 5k oci so I hope it lasts. I recently bought a 24 Navigator with the second gen version which is the Raptor variant. I love them so far. Just keep up with oil changes and you’ll be fine. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another.
 
I thought the 2.7 was twin turbo and the 3.5 was single?

I intentionally wanted the 2.7 due to the block construction and efficiency numbers. IMO the 2.7 is one of the best things about the truck. At 18k miles I stopped using the fomoco 5-30 and moved to either M1 or PP synthetic in 10-30 - and stayed that half-grade up. OCIs are either by the OLM or a little sooner. The engine is still whisper silent at warm idle, however mild startup chain rattle is creeping in at 75k.

Turbo lag on the 2.7 isnt bad, except as it lead-lags through gear shifts and torque management. I’m assuming it’s similar for the 3.5. I found that premium gas makes this much better, meaning it’s also used only premium since it’s 4th or 5th tank of gas. I’d consider that in your operating costs. I’ve got ideal commute conditions due to time of day and mostly laid-back driving, and get in the range of it’s rated mileage, I think mine shows 20.8 on the current average. Downsized to 18” wheels, oem tire size, no lift. I do have a camper shell which provided a small mpg increase at my 50 mph commute.

The f150 for me hits a sweet spot of capability with comfort/handling. I can sling the ford around where a Chevy lumbers a little. The ford rides a bit more stiff than a Chevy. Yet it’s quiet, smooth, and feels light on its feet. I do have a rear sway bar on its mildest setting, which was transformative, and adjustable rear shocks.

I drove a Ram 1500 recently - thinking one day I might like to try their 1500 diesel, but the ford seat cushion and light-footedness felt more natural for how and where I drive.

We towed a TT with our 2.7 and the vehicle and programming was spot-on. In some ways it runs better towing than empty. It has very well-sorted tow programming. The only downside is if you tend to drive without music or something in the audio, the turbo whine can be irritating - I never got used to it and would play music to cover it up. It wasn’t loud, just - dental drill crazy. I’d imagine the 3.5 is similar.
 
I missed what van you're taking delivery on. I'm assuming a Transit van? Passenger, cargo, cutaway? The 3.5L in van duty or cutaway duty may be setup differently than the F150. Short story, detuned for commercial life.
 
All 3.5 Ecos have always been twins. Even the GT. There are some turbo differences between Gen I & II engines, and differences between Gen II and Raptor/HO engines but nothing earth-shattering. My 19 F150 will hit 95k probably by the end of this year and it’s been flawless, even while running a ~500rwhp E30 tune from 5 Star in SC for roughly half its life.

Over its time with me, I’ve tried Ravenol DXG which was a complete letdown (out of grade by 6k), Amsoil SS (ran fine for 6k, in grade), and then at 54k IIRC I switched to HPL PCEO for 2 10k runs, then HPL No VII Euro 5w30 for a 16k run (UOA on the site), and I’m about 6500 miles into a SuperCar 0w30 run.

I know you’re going to use Amsoil, but I found the NVII Euro so solid I’d consider it a 15k no-brainer for anyone. At 14.4k I was at <2ppm Fe/1k & TBN was still nearly 7.8! Anything off the shelf I’d stick to 5k or less.

Nice van, methinks the Eco is gonna make you smile a lot!
 
I missed what van you're taking delivery on. I'm assuming a Transit van? Passenger, cargo, cutaway? The 3.5L in van duty or cutaway duty may be setup differently than the F150. Short story, detuned for commercial life.
I do think it is the lower output, (means lower boost, less hp) higher compression (just 0.5+, torque lower RPM) version - in a cargo van to be converted to camper van.
 
The 2nd Gen EcoBoost V6 (I know the 3.5 has the issue; unsure on the 2.7 and 3.0) has a problem with the cam phasers not working properly, which leads to timing chain not being properly tensioned (on startup primarily, but also after startup if it gets bad enough).

There was/is a Ford program to fix the problem at no cost to the owner, depending on year model.

My sister’s 2018 Expedition has it, and I urged her to go get it fixed, but she wouldn’t listen. Now, the rattle has gotten worse, continuing after startup and I can still hear it when it’s idling.

Hers might even need the chain and guides replaced in addition to the phasers.

There is an updated Ford PN for the new phasers. If you get this work done, be sure the dealer uses the new updated parts.

 
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The 2nd Gen EcoBoost V6 (I know the 3.5 has the issue; unsure on the 2.7 and 3.0) has a problem with the cam phasers not working properly, which leads to timing chain not being properly tensioned (on startup primarily, but also after startup if it gets bad enough).

There was/is a Ford program to fix the problem at no cost to the owner, depending on year model.

My sister’s 2018 Expedition has it, and I urged her to go get it fixed, but she wouldn’t listen. Now, the rattle has gotten worse, continuing after startup and I can still hear it when it’s idling.

Hers might even need the chain and guides replaced in addition to the phasers.

There is an updated Ford PN for the new phasers. If you get this work done, be sure the dealer uses the new updated parts.


Thanks but I think the cam phaser issues have been fixed by 2024/25 and the oil pump in the video doesn't fit the new 3.5 Ecoboost.
 
I had a 2015 but for 39K - engine was fine - just wanted to trade …
BiL also got a 2015 - still has it - no issues … 5k on M1 …
 
The latest Gen3 Ecoboost is pretty solid with the previous issues appearing to be mostly resolved. Updated cam phasers to eliminate start up rattle, redesigned exhaust manifolds to eliminate warpage and breaking exhaust studs, Dual injection instead of direct injecton only to eliminate carbon build up. The 3.5 also still has a gear driven oil pump while the 2.7 and 5.0 have moved to a wet belt driven oil pump, which may or may not be an issue on down the road. As was mentioned, the oil change interval needs to be kept short. This engine is very hard on oil.
 
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