Hi Guys,
I was playing around with the Flex Ecoboost a little yesterday after I installed a UPR catch can because I ran into an O2 sensor code. Pulled off all of the cosmetic black hose end covers and put clamps on every joint thinking vacuum leak. Crossing my fingers that fixed it. I don't think the upstream O2 sensors are exactly cheap. Regardless, I was doing research and came across the forum. Seems like this is the place to be for anything Ecoboost related, and I'm quite impressed with the knowledge shared so far. Don't worry about answering my technical issue here, I'll start a thread if I can't find the answer in a search, just wanted to introduce myself.
My name is Rob and I live in San Diego, California. My Flex is a 2011 Limited Ecoboost that has 130k on the clock. It needs/needed some TLC and the motor has some significant blowby/consumption, but it runs quite strong for so many miles on the clock. Previous owner did dealer-installed turbo replacement about 1k miles before I bought it (123k). Still trying to figure out exactly what I'm dealing with here (whether it's been modded before, mechanical issues, etc.), but I'm picking up quite a bit of info off the web.
So far I've done a UPR catch can plug-n-play kit (more on that later), re-did the struts/shocks with OEM stuff and slapped on BFG G-Force Sport Comp 2's (blew one of the old tires running over a garden shear of all things on a freeway entrance, tires were over 5 years old and bald anyway), and did an OEM alignment. Thing scoots pretty good and handles better than I expected for such a big car. Up to 2 years ago I was driving an old Saturn coupe with some suspension/chassis mods, and the Flex holds up pretty well chassis-wise and the big (for me) 255 rubber helps a lot. There are a lot of windy hilly country roads I drive regularly and so decent handling is a must for me, even if I have to drive a boat of an SUV/Wagon. I had a fusion V6 for a while and the Flex is actually a better handler in spite of all the extra weight, and the driveability with all that low-end torque is immensely better.
Future mods planned are going to be basic stuff, but I've found once you get the bug you tend to keep going, so who knows. Thinking about 3-bar MAP and tune, HD brake upgrade from the Interceptor Utility/Explorer Sport/13+ Ecoboost Flex/SHO. Looking forward to sharing on the forum.
Welcome aboard, Rob, glad to have you and your Flex here! Do you know the maintenance history on your Flex? Might benefit from a new PCV valve and/or valve cover. Keep an eye on that intercooler.
Welcome aboard the E.B.P.F Rob and due post some pics of your Flex and using a top tier full synthetic oil is crucial to help with blow by and check your CAC with an oil dip stick and would also try to rule out the oil separator from being full and thanks for joining. Z
Quote from: SHOdded on November 06, 2016, 02:14:18 PM
Welcome aboard, Rob, glad to have you and your Flex here! Do you know the maintenance history on your Flex? Might benefit from a new PCV valve and/or valve cover. Keep an eye on that intercooler.
Thanks. Maintenance history was on par with fleet as far as I can tell from the documentation. The PO is a real estate agent, thus the high miles, and the turbos were changed under extended warranty through Ford, so it was dealer maintained right up until I bought it. The caveat to that is he probably did the 10k mile oil change interval. The records on that aren't in the paperwork. Brakes were brand new too which is why I'm delaying the upgrade.
I did put a new PCV valve on there after the catch can went in. It still dumps quite a bit of oil into the can. I drained it after a few weeks of normal driving and I'd say there were 6-8 ounces of oil in there, which is right up there with the worst I've ever seen on an engine that doesn't have a rod knock nor visible smoke out the tail pipe. Haven't done a compression check, but it has good power, so I'm still leaning towards something wrong with the PCV system.
Quote from: ZSHO on November 06, 2016, 02:28:43 PM
Welcome aboard the E.B.P.F Rob and due post some pics of your Flex and using a top tier full synthetic oil is crucial to help with blow by and check your CAC with an oil dip stick and would also try to rule out the oil separator from being full and thanks for joining. Z
Thank you. Running Mobil 1 0w30 synthetic in there now, but I'm going to switch to 5w30 high mileage something or other synthetic next hopefully to cut down on the oil use. I did see the factory "oil separator" on the valve cover where the PCV mounts into, but I couldn't find a replacement part for it anywhere, including on the dealer website. Is it serviceable? I'll take it off and clean it if it is.
So you're also saying that my intercooler (CAC - Charge Air Cooler I'm assuming) might be full of oil? I guess I better check that soon then so I don't hydrolock the engine. Also assuming that's what you mean?
Don't know if this will work, look on fordparts.com by VIN to doublecheck
Separator Assy - Oil
AA5Z-6A785-F
Production Date:12/2009-Base Number:6A785Callout Name: 6A785
(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/fYcAAOSwHoFXr-eW/s-l1600.jpg)
Quote from: RandR10 on November 06, 2016, 04:43:17 PM
Quote from: ZSHO on November 06, 2016, 02:28:43 PM
Welcome aboard the E.B.P.F Rob and due post some pics of your Flex and using a top tier full synthetic oil is crucial to help with blow by and check your CAC with an oil dip stick and would also try to rule out the oil separator from being full and thanks for joining. Z
Thank you. Running Mobil 1 0w30 synthetic in there now, but I'm going to switch to 5w30 high mileage something or other synthetic next hopefully to cut down on the oil use. I did see the factory "oil separator" on the valve cover where the PCV mounts into, but I couldn't find a replacement part for it anywhere, including on the dealer website. Is it serviceable? I'll take it off and clean it if it is.
So you're also saying that my intercooler (CAC - Charge Air Cooler I'm assuming) might be full of oil? I guess I better check that soon then so I don't hydrolock the engine. Also assuming that's what you mean?
Correct and Here is a 'How to"dedicated on the CAC(intercooler)..you will need to jack up the drivers side and then remove your TB hose in order to check your CAC with your oil dip stick,mine had 1/2 an inch of oil inside. Z http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,3056.0.html (http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,3056.0.html)
Quote from: SHOdded on November 06, 2016, 05:38:00 PM
Don't know if this will work, look on fordparts.com by VIN to doublecheck
Separator Assy - Oil
AA5Z-6A785-F
Production Date:12/2009-Base Number:6A785Callout Name: 6A785
Oh, you are the man SHOdded. Thank you so much. I really did search quite a bit for that part and couldn't find it anywhere. Searching the Ford parts site under "crankcase ventilation" turned up nothing when I tried it that way again. Must be a super uncommon part because my local dealer won't even let me order it online. I had to put in a quote request with them to get back to me on. Probably be picking up some time this week. Hopefully that solves my problem when it goes on.
QuoteHere is a How to dedicated on the CAC(intercooler). Z http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,3056.0.html (http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,3056.0.html)
Nice. I have an air powered brake bleeder deal I got from HF I can use for that. You guys rock. Ask and ye shall receive around here.
I frequently find the fordpartsgiant.com website useful due to their layout, when fordparts.com or various online dealer sites fail to turn up anything.
Update: I just installed the new oil separator. The old one did seem to have been a little gummed up on the return valve. Having put a new PCV valve on there 2 weeks ago, I drained the catch can today and I only had about 3 ounces in there, so it's an improvement. We'll see how much makes it past now with the new separator on there.
Quick results :thumb:
Yeah, I went back and read my posts in this thread, and I misspoke in one of them. The 6 ounces was from the day I changed the PCV, and the time between catch can install and PCV install was about 2 weeks as well. Since then, only 3 ounces, so improvement there. I'm fully expecting more improvement with the new separator, because as I said, the drain valve had some sludge in it. Going to start a new thread on some other issues. Thanks again guys.