Buy another PB or get EB (cooling system question)

[Nighsight]

So, Ford is buying back my 21 Powerboost. I like the truck but am not impressed with the cooling systems ability to remove heat from the engine and transmission. A bit ago I was driving through the mountains (under 1000ft) and had the engine and trans heat up. I stayed out of boost and used tow/haul mode to increase the RPM to try and get the engine temp down. Temps maxed out around 230 for both. The trans started to have harsh downshifts, but no warnings or indication of an official overheat condition.

I keep my trucks for a long time so durability and ability to use the truck as a truck is paramount. The Powerboost has additional equipment tied into the cooling system. I'm trying to find out if the standard 3.5 Ecoboost cooling system is more efficient at regulating and removing heat. I know there are mods (which appear to be easier to facilitate on the Ecoboost) to increase the cooling efficiency of the system, but I would like to keep the truck as stock (cooling system) as possible until the warranty has expired.

Can anyone shed any insight into my cooling system efficiency question? Thanks for any feedback.

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[gb7FRz26]

Just to get this out of the way - how much were you towing when you got up to 230?

 

[Nighsight]

Just to get this out of the way - how much were you towing when you got up to 230?

We weren't towing anything. It was me, my 8 year old and some camping gear. We were going up through the hills to the campground. Ambient temperature was around 65°.

 

[BUDXR7]

So, Ford is buying back my 21 Powerboost. I like the truck but am not impressed with the cooling systems ability to remove heat from the engine and transmission. A bit ago I was driving through the mountains (under 1000ft) and had the engine and trans heat up. I stayed out of boost and used tow/haul mode to increase the RPM to try and get the engine temp down. Temps maxed out around 230 for both. The trans started to have harsh downshifts, but no warnings or indication of an official overheat condition.

I keep my trucks for a long time so durability and ability to use the truck as a truck is paramount. The Powerboost has additional equipment tied into the cooling system. I'm trying to find out if the standard 3.5 Ecoboost cooling system is more efficient at regulating and removing heat. I know there are mods (which appear to be easier to facilitate on the Ecoboost) to increase the cooling efficiency of the system, but I would like to keep the truck as stock (cooling system) as possible until the warranty has expired.

Can anyone shed any insight into my cooling system efficiency question? Thanks for any feedback.

They’re buying back a 2-3 yr old truck? What have you gone thru to get to this point? Is this federal lemon law? Something along the lines of if they have it for more than 30 days on repair?

 

[SALEEN961]

Cylinder head temps and transmission fluid temps that occasionally reach 230°F are not abnormal, but coolant temps that hit 230°F would be concerning.

From the factory, the cooling fans on my 2021 3.5EB were only commanded to 100% when the transmission fluid temp reached 240°F or the engine coolant temp reached 226°F. It's also worth mentioning that the cylinder head temperature is often 20-40°F higher than the coolant temperature under heavy loads. These engines and transmissions are designed to run very hot, and modifying your truck is the only way to change that.

 

[amschind]

1) there is something wrong with THAT SPECIFIC TRUCK. The PB exhaust heat exchanger being stuck open is a likely but uncertain candidate.
2) The PB has more total cooling and braking than any other F150.
3) Nobody has a '21 radiator yet. It is more iffy that it may not come to the PB, but they could very easily design one that would fit into PB and EB models.

I share your concerns about cooling, but your truck overheated in mild conditions with minimal load. I'm still actively working on the best way to remove the exhaust heat exchanger, and I think that I'm close. If I get that working, I will share it, as the total cost for parts looks like $130 with tax and shipping.

 

[Nighsight]

They’re buying back a 2-3 yr old truck? What have you gone thru to get to this point? Is this federal lemon law? Something along the lines of if they have it for more than 30 days on repair?

More than 70 days in the shop with an unresolved coolant loss issue and lack of OTA updates after many attempts to fix. Mixed in there is a bunch of time to fix the axle.

 

[BUDXR7]

More than 70 days in the shop with an unresolved coolant loss issue and lack of OTA updates after many attempts to fix. Mixed in there is a bunch of time to fix the axle.

I’m sorry this has been your experience. As much as I like my truck, I think I’d be so pissed off id probably take the money else where. Maybe you feel as though they’re finally doing right by you. If you’re ok with Ford, why not go with a 5.0?

 

[doolin64]

I’m sorry this has been your experience. As much as I like my truck, I think I’d be so pissed off id probably take the money else where. Maybe you feel as though they’re finally doing right by you. If you’re ok with Ford, why not go with a 5.0?

I agree. I love my Powerboost, that I'd go for another in a heart beat. But the 5.0 I had in my 2015 was fantastic. I just should have ordered it with 3.73 gears. 3.21's was too low and any time I towed the truck had a burning smell. I always used tow mode and was only towing quads.
Never had an issue other than smell.

 

[BUDXR7]

I agree. I love my Powerboost, that I'd go for another in a heart beat. But the 5.0 I had in my 2015 was fantastic. I just should have ordered it with 3.73 gears. 3.21's was too low and any time I towed the truck had a burning smell. I always used tow mode and was only towing quads.
Never had an issue other than smell.

Well, to be fair, my response would be completely emotional and not grounded in any kind of logic. The reality is he got a lemon powerboost and the law is doing as intended. Logically, if he bought the powerboost for a reason, and that reason still exists, he should buy another. If he drove it for 2-3yrs and realized he didn’t need the powerboost, he can now go which ever way he wants now. I personally would not want to give up my pro power 7.2kw.

 

[HammaMan]

I'm still actively working on the best way to remove the exhaust heat exchanger, and I think that I'm close. If I get that working, I will share it, as the total cost for parts looks like $130 with tax and shipping.

 

[Snakebitten]

Those temps without towing are unusual indeed. Especially if you aren't in extreme ambients. (100F+ at high altitude)

But towing with a 3.5 Ecoboost (or Powerboost) up mountain grades has been documented since 2011. (Gen1, Gen2, Gen3)
Momentary coolant temps in the 230's is far from uncommon. Even higher, if the speeds are sufficient and the grade is long enough and the load is there. Ford doesn't even intervene for reduced engine output in the 230's.

But not towing? That's a problem.

 

[amschind]

I think I'm going to do the simple one-hose bypass. I've put a lot of thought into this, and that has the fewest variables that can strand me in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Chili]

Well, starting with 24 the PB is basically no cost option over the 3.5. Personally, I like the non powerboost more and if you really want to keep it a long time, it should have fewer issues just due to the nature of fewer parts.

There have been no widespread 3.5, 2.7 or 5.0 issues this gen. Previous gen had a fair share of 3.5 and 5.0 issues.

 

[WalterMitty]

So, Ford is buying back my 21 Powerboost. I like the truck but am not impressed with the cooling systems ability to remove heat from the engine and transmission. A bit ago I was driving through the mountains (under 1000ft) and had the engine and trans heat up. I stayed out of boost and used tow/haul mode to increase the RPM to try and get the engine temp down. Temps maxed out around 230 for both. The trans started to have harsh downshifts, but no warnings or indication of an official overheat condition.

I keep my trucks for a long time so durability and ability to use the truck as a truck is paramount. The Powerboost has additional equipment tied into the cooling system. I'm trying to find out if the standard 3.5 Ecoboost cooling system is more efficient at regulating and removing heat. I know there are mods (which appear to be easier to facilitate on the Ecoboost) to increase the cooling efficiency of the system, but I would like to keep the truck as stock (cooling system) as possible until the warranty has expired.

Can anyone shed any insight into my cooling system efficiency question? Thanks for any feedback.

Wouldn't increasing RPMs, increase engine Temp? Seems like doing that would be like throwing gas on a fire versus water.

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