p38fln

So I had a random thought today - how do the vacuum assist brakes and vacuum controlled waste-gates work on the turbocharged ecoboost? So we found the brake booster and traced the vacuum lines from it to figure out where they go.

The engine isn't boosted under light loads - a scan tool shows regular engine vacuum when slowing down or cruising empty. Under light loads, the vacuum comes from the intake, just after the throttle plate.

When it's boosted, a one way valve in the vacuum line going to the brake booster shuts, and the vacuum source is shifted to the air intake just after the air cleaner - where there's going to be plenty of vacuum when the turbos are sucking air through.

So, now I understand a little better why Ford doesn't want aftermarket intakes stuck on these things - screw it up and you could disable the brake assist

Papi4baby

Not really.

You think this is the first car with a factory turbo setup?

There are plenty of vehicles out there with turbos and they employ a very similar setups.

Ford for the most part does not care what you do to the vehicle, the moment you modified it, it is off their hands. They just dont want the 18 to 30 year olds that break something (due to them pushing the vehicle) and think Ford has to fix it for them.

p38fln

Its more of a "pay attention" post than a "omg don't mod the engine" post.

As long as you're using aftermarket parts intended for the 3.5 I don't see how you'd lose brakes - but we are all pickup truck owners And I've seen some pretty crazy stuff under the hood of some pickups.

Besides, I'm going to bet you that most people with an ecoboost (like me) have never had a turbo-gas engine before. I've driven turbo-diesels, but never a turbo-gas - and it was just really interesting to me how the brakes work on it.

amascio

I traded an '08 Mazdaspeed 3 in on our ecoboost Platinum. Despite the many "zoom zoom BOOM" posts on the numerous message boards I never had a problem, mainly because my car had zero mods done to it. Actually, all it ever got was oil and filter changes and tire rotations. I did a brake flush and transaxle oil change but those don't really count as mods.

Just run quality oil and gas in your EB, use only Ford or Motorcraft branded parts and you should be OK.

My .02 cents worth, which when added to $75 will get you a cup of coffee on rodeo drive.
Cheers!

Aboostedf150

Don't the Eco boosted trucks use a vacuum pump because the motors do not make enough vacuum to work the brake booster,it's located behind the drivers head light? And on 13 up its a cam driven vacuum pump...so I think your info is a little incorrect ? Unless the booster uses both engine and the pump and you just missed one of them...and the check valve works the same on all power brakes..turbo or NA powered..

packplantpath

Yes. This.

vozaday

Correct.

Plus you have probably one of the most overall modded trucks.

03king

I'm pretty sure in 14 they switched from the pump behind the headlight to a cam shaft driven one.

vozaday

13 like aboosted said.