The Ford EcoBoost 2.0 4-cylinder engine was first introduced back in 2010. This direction injection gas engine offers between 200hp – 252hp and 221lb-ft – 270lb-ft of torque. This engine can be found in many Ford, Lincoln, Volvo, and Land Rover models. This engine remained relatively unchanged until 2015 when Ford reworked it substantially.
This redesign was done in order for the engine to offer more power, but without sacrificing efficiency. Reliability-wise, the 2.0 EcoBoost seems to be a fairly reliable engine as there aren’t many common problems to speak of. Sure, there will always be countless issues that happen due to a lack of maintenance, but if you do everything you have to, this engine will last.
As far as common Ford 2.0 EcoBoost problems are concerned, they include problems with a cracked exhaust manifold, the turbo control solenoid, the low-pressure fuel pump, and issues with carbon build-up. No engine can last forever, and the 2.0 EcoBoost is no different which means that you will have to replace various components at some point.
All in all, the EcoBoost engine range by Ford has proven to be more efficient, yet equally powerful as some of their earlier larger engines. Sure, it may not be as exciting as a 6-cylinder, or especially a V8, but most people are going to be more than satisfied with the 2.0L.
1. Ford 2.0 EcoBoost – Cracked exhaust manifold
Both the first and the second generation of the 2.0 EcoBoost engine use an integrated exhaust manifold design made out of steel and placed directly onto the cylinder head. This design comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks, but now we are only going to focus on the drawbacks.
When this engine is under increased stress, such as while towing and hauling, excessive temperatures can contract and expand the exhaust manifold and thus cause it to crack. These cracks are nothing more than hairline cracks but can increase in size and number the longer this issue goes unnoticed. As such, be sure to inspect your exhaust manifold whenever your service the car as this can blow the turbocharged completely.
2. Ford 2.0 EcoBoost – Turbo solenoid issue
The turbocharged solenoid valve, also known as the boost valve, is tasked with controlling the amount of boost the engine is getting. It is a small electrical unit that controls the wastegates via the car’s ECU. Therefore, this small module acts as somewhat of a brain for the turbocharger as it decides how much and how often the turbo will spool itself.
When this valve fails, the turbocharger is going to produce either too much or too little boost and thus affect your driving experience significantly. The good news is that a replacement part does not cost all that much money, but the bad news is that this small module is located within the turbocharger which is buried deep into the engine bay.
3. Ford 2.0 EcoBoost – Low-pressure fuel pump issues
The Ford 2.0 EcoBoost engine essentially uses two fuel pumps, a low-pressure fuel pump, and a high-pressure fuel pump. Because this is a direct injection engine, the high-pressure fuel pump pumps fuel onto the injectors at nearly 30,000psi of pressure. This means that the high-pressure pump needs a lower pressure pump that is going to pump fuel from the tank to the high-pressure pump.
However, the 2.0 EcoBoost has a small fuel filter located just in front of the low-pressure fuel pump which means that it can clog itself and cause the pump to work too much. This will inevitably lead the low-pressure fuel pump to an imminent failure and therefore will have to be replaced along with the clogged fuel filter.
4. Ford 2.0 EcoBoost – Carbon build-up
Direct injection engines almost always suffer from carbon build-ups and the 2.0 EcoBoost is no different. Non-direct injection engines deliver the fuel via the intake manifold at extremely high pressures which means that the valves stay clean at all times. Direct injection engines inevitably cause carbon deposits to build up on the valves and cause restricted airflow to the engine.
This is a slow process which means that these deposits are not going to build up overnight. However, when they do, be sure to clean the valves as soon as possible as this can strain your engine can cause lots of issues down the line. The best method to do this is to use the so-called Walnut blasting which is likely going to cost you a few hundred dollars.
FAQ Section
The Ford 2.0 EcoBoost is going to run just fine with regular gas, but your power output will not be at 100%. As such, you can use regular fuel, but using premium fuel is always the better choice. Premium fuel is going to increase your overall fuel efficiency, lower your emissions, and give you additional power at all times.
Premium fuel is chemically superior in many ways which means that there are countless benefits to using premium fuel in all cars and engines, not just those who specifically “need” premium fuel.
How long can the 2.0 Ford EcoBoost engine last?
The Ford 2.0 EcoBoost engine should easily be able to last at least 150k miles if you take proper care of it. There are some instances where owners complained about the engine failing a lot sooner than that, but that does not seem to be a widespread issue.
If you take proper care of the engine and change your oils and filters whenever needed, and you also clean your engine from any carbon deposits, you should be trouble-free. After 150k miles, you are likely going to encounter more serious issues which will require costly replacement parts, but even then, the engine will be able to last.
Does the Ford 2.0 EcoBoost require synthetic oil?
Yes, the 2.0 EcoBoost engine found in many Ford models these days relies on synthetic oil. However, you should always go through your owner’s manual just to be 100% sure. Synthetic oil is stable in viscosity and protects the engine against wear really well.
It also improves combustion oxidation and keeps the temperatures stable which is really important if you often haul or tow with your 2.0 EcoBoost engine.
