Keeping the 3.5HO Last

[Jason Snokhous]

Coming from V8 trucks only I ordered a 19 Raptor and took delivery in August. I’ve got 2400 miles on mine so far.

After seeing what Ford did with the second gen 3.5 I finally got on board with the V6. Seems like they addressed the issues the first gen has. Now I’m looking on the posts on forum, YouTube and reading articles on the EcoBoost and I’m drawing some new conclusions based on opinions and experiences from mechanics and owner reports.

It seems that this new engine can be reliable but needs to be meticulously maintained. Mainly keeping quality clean oil in it. I’m running a name brand full synthetic (don’t even want to mention the brand at this point as I’m not trying to make this a brand debate) that costs almost the same as the Motorcraft blend oil.

My take on oil changes is do it every 3000 miles, regardless of the brand you choose. Reason being it seems like these complex engines (thinking timing chain) must have clean oil at all times to stay in spec and not wear excessively. This is my plan. Loving the truck and really hoping I don’t have some of the cam phaser and chain issues some have reported.

Anyone out there with the 2nd gen have some miles on yours? If so what has your experience been with it and what oil maintenance schedule are you on?

Please don’t turn this into an oil brand debate. Any reputable full synthetic (the Raptor supplement DOES call for full synthetic) should be fine if changed in correct intervals.

 

[smgilles]

Coming from V8 trucks only I ordered a 19 Raptor and took delivery in August. I’ve got 2400 miles on mine so far.

After seeing what Ford did with the second gen 3.5 I finally got on board with the V6. Seems like they addressed the issues the first gen has. Now I’m looking on the posts on forum, YouTube and reading articles on the EcoBoost and I’m drawing some new conclusions based on opinions and experiences from mechanics and owner reports.

It seems that this new engine can be reliable but needs to be meticulously maintained. Mainly keeping quality clean oil in it. I’m running a name brand full synthetic (don’t even want to mention the brand at this point as I’m not trying to make this a brand debate) that costs almost the same as the Motorcraft blend oil.

My take on oil changes is do it every 3000 miles, regardless of the brand you choose. Reason being it seems like these complex engines (thinking timing chain) must have clean oil at all times to stay in spec and not wear excessively. This is my plan. Loving the truck and really hoping I don’t have some of the cam phaser and chain issues some have reported.

Anyone out there with the 2nd gen have some miles on yours? If so what has your experience been with it and what oil maintenance schedule are you on?

Please don’t turn this into an oil brand debate. Any reputable full synthetic (the Raptor supplement DOES call for full synthetic) should be fine if changed in correct intervals.

I have a 2017 with 50,000 miles. I find the V6 3.5 HO to be durable enough and the overall truck quality to be average after coming from a Tacoma I drove for 18 years and only required normal maintenance.

Issues with the Raptor:
1. Bad hesitation with heavy acceleration - fixed with sp-542 plugs. Livernois tune helped too.
2. Replaced transmission at 10,000 miles due to cracked housing. The "hard" shifting between 3-4-5 still drives me nuts despite attempts at multiple dealer fixes, but better than the 1st transmission.
3. Leaky plastic oil pan - fixed with recall
4. IWE's x 2 - now carry a spare check valve at all times in glove box
5. At the dealer right now for some intermittent clunk on deceleration that I assume is IWE related again.

6. I have run full synthetic 5w-30 since day one - change every 5000 miles. It uses 1 qt of oil between every oil change.
7. I like it enough to buy again with next remodel, because I can off-road, haul my stuff, tow within reason, and pass/accelerate with ease. It's also stupid comfortable - like a reasonably quick floating coach.

 

[rtmozingo]

There's been no proof of oil change frequency having anything to do with causing cam phaser problems. I've seen more trucks with phaser failures with frequent oil changes, under 20k miles than I've seen the other way around. I run 10k between changes. At 30k on the clock (most people see phasers by then) and have no signs of it developing.

Oil brand may be a factor. It seems that those using Motorcraft (which I use, blend or full doesn't matter) develop the issue much less than those using other brands.

 

[Jason Snokhous]

It’s unfortunate to hear about excessive issues on these trucks after paying what we paid. I don’t see how failures can be common on the top selling vehicle in the US with the flagship motor in them. Trying not to worry about it. Just going to keep clean oil in it, run premium fuel and see what happens.

If I end up experiencing major engine problems it’s back to naturally aspirated V8s for me. I traded in my 2016 F-150 lariat FX4 5.0 for the raptor. It was a great truck.

 

[rtmozingo]

They aren't common tho. At over 72,000 Gen 2 Raptors on the road today, if 1% have problems that's 720 people - more than I've seen report issues at this point, and I'm a member of all the major G2 forums.

It appears common because the few afflicted make a lot of noise about it. Not to say it isn't an issue and those with the issue shouldn't be upset, but failures happen. Just how it is.

An additional anecdote - there are at least 5 Gen 2s here at work. None of us have had problems.

 

[OriginalToken]

1. Bad hesitation with heavy acceleration - fixed with sp-542 plugs. Livernois tune helped too.

I went to the SP-542 and did not notice a big difference. I think it might have been a little better, but I am not 100% sure I was not talking myself into it being better. Right now I am back to the OEM plugs, but will try the 542’s in the future again.

On the other hand, I have never thought the hesitation was all that bad. Obviously from a dead stop, idle, and floor it, and there is an appreciable lag for spool up. But in Sport mode or Baja, from anything short of a dead stop, it is pretty nice.

2. Replaced transmission at 10,000 miles due to cracked housing. The "hard" shifting between 3-4-5 still drives me nuts despite attempts at multiple dealer fixes, but better than the 1st transmission.

My shifts were hard, 4-5 was very hard, sometimes startlingly so, as well as accelerating downshifts. But then I had Ford reprogram the transmission, and the shifts have been outstanding since then.

6. I have run full synthetic 5w-30 since day one - change every 5000 miles. It uses 1 qt of oil between every oil change.

I try to do my oil changes about every 3000 miles, and I also use synthetic. I realize I am way overkilling the change interval, but it is my money and effort, and I choose to do so. I have been averaging about 22000 miles a year on my 2018, that means I am doing about 4 more oil changes a year than I would be if I was doing the changes at 7000 miles, it is costing me an extra $120 a year in oil and filters. Basically the cost of a McDonalds medium fries per week. Healthier for me to change the oil.

The oil usage per change seems to be very dependent on how much time I spend in the turbos. If I drive it with a light throttle it seems to use almost no oil. If I am on the loud pedal hard it seems to sue about half a quart in 3000 miles.

7. I like it enough to buy again with next remodel, because I can off-road, haul my stuff, tow within reason, and pass/accelerate with ease. It's also stupid comfortable - like a reasonably quick floating coach.

Yep, I would buy it again today. My wife drives a 2018 Lincoln, and it is extremely comfortable over the road, but the Raptor is our favorite travel vehicle. That “reasonably quick floating couch” is a line I am going to steal, it is indeed. I use the truck every other weekend or so off-road. I don’t really tow anything large for long distances, maybe the occasional car trailer or something like that.

But for everything I use it for it is hard to imagine anything doing it all better. Sure, do one thing better, no doubt, but all of it? Hard to imagine in a single vehicle without spending custom or one-off money.

T!

 

[goblues38]

My take on oil changes is do it every 3000 miles, regardless of the brand you choose. .

It is not 1985 anymore. Unlearn what you have learned.

Modern oils in modern engines are designed and very capable of going beyond the 10k change interval suggested.

Follow the guidelines in the manual. And dont worry about it.

I have experience with 5 3.5 EB motors over 300,*** miles on them. all of them get changed @ 20% life left so 7,500-10,000 oil changes with full synthetic and no issues.

In the end. It is your money. Waste it as you wish. 3k changes is just pissing away money for no reason.

 

[SRPRACING]

I have a 2011 f150 ecoboost with 149,000 miles with no problems at all. Did oil change every 5000 switching between motorcraft full and blend. Always with a motorcraft filter. For the past 40,000 on it I’ve been using pennzoil platinum full synthetic and seems to run better tho that’s totally a placebo effect.

My 2017 Raptor has 65,000 miles on it and I’ve actually only used Pennzoil platinum with motorcraft filter. No problems at all. Only have done plugs 3 times. Tho I do change every 3000-4000 miles as these engines do tend to have quite a bit of fuel dilution.


There’s a member on the f150 ecoboost forum who just hit 395,000 on their 2011 ecoboost. Pretty astonishing as they built these to last. No catch can, no tune, completely stock. Just as anything in life, as long as you take care of it, it will take care of you.

 

[Brian 6.2L]

35,000 on my 18', rotate tires and change oil every 5,000 miles at the dealership. they are very competitively priced and it creates a paper trail for any issues. did replace the cam phaser at 30,000.
miss the sound of my 13' 6.2 but this engine out performers in every way, including gas mileage.
love it.

 

[Badgertits]

35,000 on my 18', rotate tires and change oil every 5,000 miles at the dealership. they are very competitively priced and it creates a paper trail for any issues. did replace the cam phaser at 30,000.
miss the sound of my 13' 6.2 but this engine out performers in every way, including gas mileage.
love it.

When was you '18 built?