F150 Engine Preference

[TractorGuy]

Just came across this YouTube video and thought it was worth sharing.

I will summarize the video content and results. They were questioning dealer techs and service writers on which engine they would choose for a 2017 F150 so it's a bit out of date info. The poll ended up with 8 people choosing the 5.0 and 2 choosing the 3.5 eco boost.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I did not watch the video, but a buddy of mine is a Ford diesel mechanic at Beriel Ford in zelienople PA. My seven-year-old father was buying a 2019 f150, and was stuck between the 5.0 L and the 3.5 L EcoBoost. I called my buddy Glenn and ask him what I should buy. He said that the 5.0 liter V8 was redesigned and brought with it some problems that had not existed in the earlier models. at the same time the 3.5 L ecoboost engine was redesigned and fixed some problems that were out there in the earlier models. So based on his input as a full-time Ford dealership mechanic, we ordered a 2019 Ford F-150 King Ranch with the 3.5 L v6. I pray that we did well. My father's last Ford was a 1999 Ford F-350 with a 7.3 L f350.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I have the first year (2011) of the 3.5L job ticket 2 (meaning I got the first round of production updates in the first year of production)

2012 got rid of two annoying problems with the 3.5L The too weak of a timing chain and the external air compressor mounted behind the left front headlight used for boost for the master cylinder that internally rusts and dies and costs $600 and that Ford is quietly offering a free extended warranty on until 150,000 miles.

I also taught the internet to drill a 1/16" weep hole at the bottom of the intercooler (something Ford cannot do because of emissions) and not install all the BS shields to keep the engine from ingesting a slug of water, hydro-locking and throwing a rod out of the block.

The original 3.5 gasket at the fuel pump can fail, and like a bunch of diesels, dump fuel straight into the crack case until it grenades.

All of the direct injection engines suffer problems with carbon building up on the backside of the intake valves and this is a PETA problem because if a top end engine cleaner is sent through the engines, enough to clean that carbon, it'll overheat the turbo seals and eff the turbos up. My solution was to put on a giant catch can and dump all of the recycling emission garbage into that catch can. Works great until winter when the catch can freezes and it is hard to drain out.

The cams and fasers can screw up to the point where I, as a mechanic will send it over to Ford to do.

The injectors are retarded tough to replace and you may not know if they aren't seated right until you fire the engine back up. So this too is a "Good-luck, Buddy" job at the ford shop unless you've got nothing to do and all day to do it.

The redesigned engine fixed the all-too-narrow injector install problem. It fixed the fuel pump gasket problem. And it fixed the valve carbon problem by adding an injector in the intake plenum to allow fuel to wash the carbon off of the intake valves.

Other than that, these are good engines.

FWIW, Ford typically recycles 70% of their existing parts content from design change to design change.

 

[timswi]

I'm not a Ford guy but...My nephew has had a 3.5 for about four years, trouble free and and he loves it...My Father-in-law has a 2.7, around 2 years old..Trouble free as well.

 

[deserteagle71]

I am on a couple F150 forums because I have a 2016 with the 3.5 Ecoboost engine. General consensus on the forums is that of the current engines the 5.0 V-8 is the one to avoid because, as stated above, the redesign is problematic. Lots of the V-8 engines being recalled for excessive oil consumption. Both the 2.7 and the 3.5 Ecoboosts are very reliable now. Consensus is that if you tow, get the 3.5. If not, the 2.7 is the engine to go with. Great mileage, great power and great reliability.

My 2016 has been completely reliable - never been in the shop for anything. Change the oil and rotate the tires is all I've had to do in 41,000 miles.

 

[goeduck]

That video has been around for a while, it is based on 2017 F150s. Curious what might be said in 2020.

 

[jgedmond]

I opted for the 3.5L when I bought new in 2019. My max tow is about 7000 lbs. and it handles that like there is nothing behind it. When not towing the pickup and performance is just awesome for a truck. For that I sacrificed a little bit of mileage compared to the 2.7L. I only have 12k miles, so no comments on durability, but no problems so far.

One dealer that I visited was really pushing the 2.7L. I think that they have trouble selling those to the typical Texas truck buyer and so they tend to build inventory and have to move it. If the 2.7L will work for your needs, then you can probably get a great deal especially at year- or month-end.

 

[goeduck]

Curious now that the 3.0 diesel in the F150 is offered what to expect.

 

[Tomtint]

Somewhere else here there is one of these threads. But to rehash, I have a 18 2.7 and a 19 3.5, both 4x4 x cabs, the 2.7 is a STX and the 3.5 is a XLT sport. ..both motors are surprisingly strong. The 2.7 we have is just a run around truck, the 1 long trip I took it on was 400 ish miles and all highway ..it got north of 20 mpg driving 75 ish. ...plenty of power and never felt sluggish. My 3.5 is real nice towing rig given how small and light it is. I have had 8k or so behind it and it handles it with ease. I think it really depends on what kind of driving you will be doing..Towing regularly..maybe the 3.5..towing occasionally and not super heavy..the 2.7 is plenty.. I have also heard some discouraging things about the V8..I think I would avoid them until they iron out the issues.

 

[dodge man]

If I were buying, no doubt I'd pick the 3.5 turbo or the 2.7 turbo as my second choice. If buying used, I would make sure any 5.0 I was looking at was 2017 or older. The redesign they did in 2018 appears to be a step backwards with some oil consumption being the biggest issue.

My personal truck is a 2017 5.0.