Dmace said:
Oil cooled turbos burn up the engine oil much faster than normal, the Ecoboost uses water cooling, that "water" is your engine coolant. Typical engine coolant runs at about 180-210 degrees, now that coolant is running through two turbos that will heat up to over 1200 degrees under even moderate use (over 1700 in severe use). What do you think that will do to your coolant?
Turbo charged vehicles "typically" require premium fuel, the Ecoboost doesn't but that means it's MUCH more sucseptable to knock if you get some bad fuel. Turbo charged vehicles also run higher compression ratios which can lead to premature head gasket failure, push that engine too hard and you could be out a major repair. Yes it can happen to any engine but its MUCH more common in turbo engines.
The Ecoboost uses direct injection which uses VERY expensive injectors that do not have the reliability of port injectors as they are directly in the combustion chamber instead of the intake manifold. I just bought a car with a direct injected engine so I'm not against it but would prefer not to have it.
Turbo charged vehicles are MUCH more complicated under the hood due to all the extra hardware, many online are complaining about the lack of space for normal maintenance and repairs in the Ecoboost. There's already a kit to relocate the oil filter to make it easier.
Point being, a turbo charged vehicle will require more careful maintenance and more expensive repairs vs a normally aspirated engine. For a slight power increase and neglible fuel savings, the Ecoboost just isn't worth the risk or premium...
First off they are not oil cooled turbos so I am not sure why you mention that. The coolant as well as all the fluids have the same maintenance schedule as the 5.0. The bearing the coolant is protecting is about the size of a pinky finger. In fact the EB holds less coolant than the 5.0. So I think the turbo does nothing to the coolant The 5.0 holds 1.7 more quarts of oil too.
Again I don't know why you mentioned premium fuel because the EB doesn't require that and I haven't tried bad fuel yet to check for problems. I am sure the knock sensors would identify knock and suppress timing like any other engine.
10:1 compression is far from high, in fact the 5.0 motor has higher compression of 10.5:1 and the similar engine in the mustang has an 11:1 ratio. The EB motor was designed to be pushed so I don't get that either. It is not designed to be babied.
Now for direct injection. Yes parts would cost more to replace but it is still a premium desired trait. All engines should be direct injection because they produce more power and better fuel economy. Come on we are out of the 80's.
As far as the oil filter relocate kit. They are available for all engines. The Ford has an air dam under the truck is why they want to relocate it. "MUCH more complicated hardware" is plastic tubing, two turbos, and an extra heat exchanger but the footprint of the motor is smaller.
To say the EB requires "more careful maintenance" is still foggy to me because manual shows the same scheduled maintenance durations.
The EB has 2 less pistons, connecting rods, crank journals, spark plugs and wires, and 8 fewer valves to fail.
I wouldn't consider the power difference as or the 10%+ savings at the pump "slight".
I know you have flamed the EB in the past but I have to know........Have you ever driven one? It is about as much fun as can be had in a stock truck. I recommend you dress up incognito one day and drive one if you haven't. I won't tell anyone.
Jeff
