Hard working 3.5EB 2017 f150

[Joeymt3]

Hey guys, I'm new here and I don't have much knowledge in this oil stuff but I do my own automotive maintenance and repairs and thought I might could benefit from looking deeper into the subject of lubrication. Might even be able to share some helpful information along the way.

I drive about 50k a year and haul/tow 100% of the time. I did my first OA and thought I'd share it in the next post.

Vehicle info:
2017 f150 4x4 super crew
It's been tuned since 3000 miles
35" tires since 800 miles
Currently 105k miles

This engine has been very reliable with the exception of VCT solenoid failure which led to a cam phaser failure. I did the pair myself and since it happened just below 100,000 miles I went ahead and replaced all the timing components. This is my third EB f150. They've been great!

 

[Joeymt3]

Here it is

 

[dogememe]

You might want to redact your address and personal info

 

[Joeymt3]

The engine was super clean at 90k plus miles. Usually the lower timing cover would have baked oil.

 

[Joeymt3]

The timing chain compared to the new chains had no measurable difference in length. The chain tensioner was only out about one click.

Anyway, this truck has pulled an enclosed trailer for two years for work duties and other players toys and work toys. I'll probably buy another if ford fixes the failing phaser issue. My wife's triton ‘05 model has original phasers! I think it is mostly due to the 22 PSI or pressure of this engine. At 75 miles an hour pulling a trailer on the interstate that's all the oil pressure it has. It only jumps up when the load value is high enough. There are people working on a different strategy for the variable displacement oil pump. I hope it comes soon.

 

[Joeymt3]

Originally Posted by dogememe
You might want to redact your address and personal info


Thanks for the thought but I didn't feel like going through the trouble of it.

 

[Joeymt3]

Looks like a bunch of super smart guys on here and I'm sure there's a lot I could learn. Hopefully I can give some useful information like what I found inside the engine.

The cam lobes and timing chain guide had no wear that I could feel with my finger nail even though the discoloration shows up in the pictures. I felt like that was pretty good for the mileage. A little bit of history, I do my oil changes between five and 7000 miles. I'll shoot for 5000 miles but sometimes I'm far from home so it gets done a little bit later. I switched to 40 weight when the warranty ran out and most of the time I have used Castrol. I'm thinking about doing two or three cycles with mobile 0W 40 and see if I notice any difference.

I've had a 170° thermostat for a very long time and I just went up to 180° thermostat. I noticed my fuel dilution was a little bit high so I'm going to try to reduce idle time by not using the remote start to warm it up in the morning and plus the 10° warmer thermostat. Hopefully my next report will show less fuel and higher viscosity.

 

[JC1]

Nice truck and great pics of it in action. Is that your Garage? Very nice setup. Keep on doing what you are doing.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted by JC1
Nice truck and great pics of it in action. Is that your Garage? Very nice setup. Keep on doing what you are doing.


Absolutely! I love that lift!

 

[Joeymt3]

Thanks for the comments guys. I do have one question though, are there any negative or positive affects to running a 180° thermostat? I don't have a way currently to monitor oil temperature but cylinder head temperature stays around 190° unless I'm towing then it will range from 200 to 230

Before any modifications, the truck stayed around 208 at the lowest and could easily hit 230 pulling a grade with no load. I was very disappointed in the trucks ability to haul and tow without getting too hot. The stock thermostat is a 195 but it has a very wide range and does not open completely until 217°. Combine that with active grill shutters and the truck would get to 240° easy only pulling a six or 7000 pound load. And this truck is the max tow model. I deleted the grill shutters and changes the thermostat and the temperature is much more manageable. After a slight accident with front end damage I did upgrade the radiator and intercooler which pretty much made it impossible to overheat in the southern temperatures.

I'm just curious if I am hurting the oil by not letting it get 212° every time it is driven. It does get that hot when towing but not for daily driving. And I will say the 170° thermostat was probably too cool but the 180 seems better. I've been considering looking for a 195 like stock but they narrow range instead of wide range.

 

[Joeymt3]

The lift is surprisingly affordable. I picked it up new in Atlanta from Greg Smith equipment for $1495. I've had it since 2013 with zero issues. It's definitely not one of the nice commercial grade models that cost more than twice as much but it's good for a home gamer like myself.

 

[JC1]

I think you are ok with the choice of 180 deg thermostat. Do you have an upgraded transmission cooler installed? I'm sure all that towing makes things hotter in no time.

 

[Joeymt3]

Originally Posted by JC1
I think you are ok with the choice of 180 deg thermostat. Do you have an upgraded transmission cooler installed? I'm sure all that towing makes things hotter in no time.


The OEM trans cooler seems to do great after the grill shutters were removed. It stays around 170 and 200 when towing. My previous 2014 f150 would have trans temps get as high as 240! This one may have hit 210 before.....maybe. Every 30k miles I drain 9 qts of trans fluid and refill. Hopefully it lives a long life. At 60k I did the t-case and rear diff.

 

[Joeymt3]

I used to have a f250 but they cost too much to operate. A Max Tow 150 seems to do great after mods like the above mentioned cooling, air bags and 10 ply tires. If the job requires much more towing or if the toys grow in number I'll have to change to a 3/4 ton.....probably that 7.3 gasser from ford.

 

[PimTac]

What's the deal with the manganese levels? Sometimes we see a couple ppm on a report but 77ppm stands out.

 

[Joeymt3]

Originally Posted by PimTac
What's the deal with the manganese levels? Sometimes we see a couple ppm on a report but 77ppm stands out.


I wouldn't have a clue. Is it from the oil? Engine? No additives used. Maybe a mistake? That's my first report so I'll do another. I drove 7k in the past three weeks and just did an oil change today. Only about 500 miles towing in that 7k.

I screwed up on the oil sample though, I got a call when draining and forgot to take the sample "mid drain". I took the sample from the filter. I'm sure it will screw up some things but I'll go ahead and send it in Monday anyway because I want to see the fuel dilution which shouldn't be skewed.

 

[Joeymt3]

FYI, I'm using "OBD fusion" app on an old iPhone for gauges. There's about 900 PIDs available to view. With just a swipe I can view multiple pages. I have 7 pages set up currently. It was $10 I think for the app?

 

[Job]

Thermostats only open and stay open, don't add to the cooling. Factory temp is best. Everything is calibrated to that. Short trips with lower temp thermostats is bad. Maybe ford makes a higher flow or heavy duty thermo but since you already did the radiator upgrade IMO go back to OE temp. The flow is the same at the higher temps.

 

[super20dan]

if you ask me you are asking too much from that truck/engine combo pulling that kind of load.

 

[R1jake]

I wonder if that obd fusion app would support anything on my 94 E150? I'd love to be able to see my tranny temp but would say being obd1 probably wouldn't be able to view much.