Mud got past air filter. How badly did I screw up

[freewayman]

Vehicle: 23 F150 tremor 3.5 ecoboost

Got stuck in a mud bog the other week, and didn't think it got my intake because when I popped the hood the air box inlet didn't look muddy at all. However, this week when I went to go change out the air filter, I saw all this mud had gotten past the filter (pics at bottom).

I've driven 1000+ miles since the incident and have not noticed anything different with how the engine runs. No noticeable power or MPG loss, and no codes/CEL. One thing I have noticed is this capacitor like noise when starting (cold or hot), and it cranks slightly rougher.

Tomorrow I'm going to take it to the shop to have them clean out the intake duct, clean the MAP sensor, inspect the turbos compressor wheels, and do a compression test. Yesterday I already changed the oil before I realized what happened just because it was time to change it

However I'm sitting here sick and worried that I did permanent wear and tear and my motor will die soon. I am not in a good spot financially right now and won't be for a while and cannot survive without this truck. I'd appreciate if anyone could chime in regarding how badly I screwed up here.

Note: not sure how much it matters but I'm pretty sure it's bentonite clay mud

 

[fantastic]

Send off a UOA & see what it shows. Yeah, clean up everything that you can.

 

[freewayman]

Send off a UOA & see what it shows. Yeah, clean up everything that you can.

Given that it's fresh oil in there right now would the UOA underestimate silica?

 

[AZjeff]

You don't show what your vehicles are but muddy water and turbos probably aren't a great mix. At least it didn't hydrolock. After you get it sorted out might want to stay out of the mud bogs until you can afford to break it.

 

[freewayman]

You don't show what your vehicles are but muddy water and turbos probably aren't a great mix. At least it didn't hydrolock. After you get it sorted out might want to stay out of the mud bogs until you can afford to break it.

It's a 23 f150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost

 

[fantastic]

Given that it's fresh oil in there right now would the UOA underestimate silica?

Yeah, probably right. Clean it all up & then sample after at least 1k-4k?

 

[freewayman]

Yeah, probably right. Clean it all up & then sample after at least 1k-4k?

I think that's the plan. I screwed up real badly here either way. I'm astonished it still runs like a champ somehow. Hopefully the UOA would be able to detect bentonite clay which I think is what the material is, not sure if it's made of silica

 

[Jetronic]

Hopefully it didn't go further than the lowest part of the tubing, maybe the chargecooler. I'd be checking near the throttle valve, and clean everything out.

 

[PontiacHO]

If there’s any warranty left don’t have a Ford dealer clean it out… You will have voided any remaining warranty.

 

[jhellwig]

The damage is done. No sense worrying about it. I'd check the diffs for water more than anything.

If you cant afford the stupid tax don't do stupid things.

 

[freewayman]

The damage is done. No sense worrying about it. I'd check the diffs for water more than anything.

If you cant afford the stupid tax don't do stupid things.

I already got all the fluids replaced for both front and rear diffs, transfer case, tranny fluid. The tech who did it said the fluids looked like they were in amazing condition and to keep on driving how I was driving it for what it's worth.

Also I am the only one to blame and you are absolutely right. Was being dumb when I shouldn't have been. Not trying to look for sympathy just explaining why I'm so worried.

 

[jhellwig]

I already got all the fluids replaced for both front and rear diffs, transfer case, tranny fluid. The tech who did it said the fluids looked like they were in amazing condition and to keep on driving how I was driving it for what it's worth.

Also I am the only one to blame and you are absolutely right. Was being dumb when I shouldn't have been. Not trying to look for sympathy just explaining why I'm so worried.

I wasn't trying to rub it in or anything. I have paid lots of stupid tax. Just gotta remember that when you are low on funds.

 

[Exhaustgases]

Perfect for a good ring break in. Some have used Bon Ami in the past to do so. This treatment was free.

 

[freewayman]

Perfect for a good ring break in. Some have used Bon Ami in the past to do so. This treatment was free.

 

[Exhaustgases]

And for sure what side is the picture showing? The engine side? It looks more like that is the intake side and the filter is upside down?
Since it looks dry and stuck well I doubt much entered the engine, need to know what side the pic is showing though.
If that is the engine side I can not see how that would enter it, if the filter is sealed to the case?
Not making sense to me.

 

[freewayman]

And for sure what side is the picture showing? The engine side? It looks more like that is the intake side and the filter is upside down?
Since it looks dry and stuck well I doubt much entered the engine, need to know what side the pic is showing though.
If that is the engine side I can not see how that would enter it, if the filter is sealed to the case?

It's the engine side. That's how the air box is on the F150s. The filter is sealed. My guess is that somehow the mud got through because it was wet and the bentonite clay is very fine. It's dry because it's been a week and so it's had a lot of time to dry but it definitely was mud.

 

[Dinoburner]

To the OP do you still have the oil filter. If so have it opened and media checked. Hopefully the bottom end is OK.

 

[freewayman]

To the OP do you still have the oil filter. If so have it opened and media checked. Hopefully the bottom end is OK.

I don't have it unfortunately anymore

I'm very worried too. I'm not sure how I could even check. Compression test but that will only give me peace of mind for the cylinder walls. Will have to wait til I can do an UOA.

For what it's worth, Ive sent it full throttle dozens of times since the mud event (passing on these Wyoming highways) and its never let me down.

 

[chrismo]

While it can’t be good for the engine half the rangers in the mine site I work at look like this and they don’t seem to mind. Seems more common with aftermarket air filters. If it has a MAF sensor check it’s not covered in mud as I’ve seen it before causing a CEL.

I’d remove the intake and clean out, change the air filter and if you’re worried change the oil but other than that I wouldn’t pay it much mind.

 

[freewayman]

While it can’t be good for the engine half the rangers in the mine site I work at look like this and they don’t seem to mind. Seems more common with aftermarket air filters. If it has a MAF sensor check it’s not covered in mud as I’ve seen it before causing a CEL.

I’d remove the intake and clean out, change the air filter and if you’re worried change the oil but other than that I wouldn’t pay it much mind.

I work at a coal mine too but it seems like those trucks don't last very long to me

It's got a MAP sensor and it's a bit covered but no CEL. Already changed the air filter and oil changed yesterday before I even realized. If this was any truck I'd be more worried but I really do love this one and wanna keep it for a long time. More so worried what's gonna happen at 200k, 300k etc.