seschenburg

2012 XLT with 3.5l Ecoboost

I ordered new turbos and they came in without the lug to fasten the turbo to the engine. I don't mean the bolt, I mean the actual part of the turbo that the bolt would go through to attach the bottom/side of the turbo to the engine bracket on the block. They included a document saying that Ford no longer recommends using that fastening point and to remove the bracket from the engine. They don't point to a Ford reference to confirm this.

Knowing the history of the breaking exhaust manifold bolts I'm wanting more confirmation about this before installing them. I've found no Ford documents related to this, but I only have Google and not a trusty Ford mechanic to look it up in the Ford tech system.

Without that lower bracket the only thing holding the turbos in place is the three bolts into the exhaust manifold. With the engine doing its vibration thing and the downpipe hooked into the frame hangers, I would imagine this putting the turbos into the pivot position creating extra stress on the exhaust manifold and the turbo itself.

Has anyone seen a Ford document about this related to the 2012 model?

EDIT: Also, which way does the metal gasket for the oil line go? Ridge toward the turbo, or ridge toward the oil line?

TIA

Pigcrew

Hey buddy,
I'm not a Ford mechanic but I do have access to pretty legit publications. I just looked in the program that I'm using and nowhere it says that the bracket should be removed/discarded therefore If you can, I would swap over the brackets from your old turbos to the new ones.
For the gasket, since it's 2 flat surfaces, the orientation of the gasket doesn't matter however there's a small and big hole you have to match so be mindful of that.

Cheers

seschenburg

Thank you.

Unfortunately the lug is part of the turbo itself, so it's not something I can move over. The new turbos do not have that lug as part of their casting.

I found this on FordParts.com

https://parts.ford.com/shop/SearchDi...=-1&searchType
=partnumber&ymm_id=__

Turbocharger Assembly Part #: 6K682
Turbocharger
Usages: RH, Service Turbos No Longer Require Support Brackets, 01/03/2011 - 01/02/2012, F150/Mark LT, 3.5L V6 Gas DOHC TIVCT;RH, Service Turbos No Longer...

It says the same for the LH side.

I'm not sure what the difference would be between a "Service Turbo" and Other. I did find a site listing Technical Service Bulletins, but none mentioned this issue.

djfllmn

iTrader: (1)

service turbo means one bought/installed after the truck was assembled

seschenburg

That would apply here, I suppose. Weird that Ford doesn't include a link to something official right there with the part listing.

Thanks again.

TDB302

I read a statement from BorgWarner saying a mid-2013 version to the OE turbochargers eliminated the mounting lug from the turbine housing. As a result, the turbine housing support bracket should be removed from the engine. If this service turbo has the turbine housing mounting lug, the lug will no longer be used. It is not recommended to leave the turbine housing support bracket in place with a lug turbine housing without securely fastened it with the original Hardware, at this can result in wear and noise.
Could a unsupported turbo have an effect on the exhaust bolt breaking issue on a 2012?