I don't know what you mean by rehearsed. I was trying to figure out why I was getting high fuel dilution in my engine oil.

I was researching catch cans, and all the talk of oil being sucked in through PCV valve, etc. I wanted to pull the hoses off and check for myself to see if there was an issue. As soon as I loosened the hose clamp it was apparent there was some oil residue. I didn't know how bad it would be so I started recording on my Android to document it.

Yes there is oil being drawn into the intercooler on my 2018 3.5 EcoBoost. Whether its an issue or not I still am not sure.

It does look worse than it is, as it was less than a tablespoon amount, in the pail below, but it is there.

I have not added the catch can, because I don't really want to modify my truck, it is completely stock. I don't trust the check valves in freezing weather, & don't want to do additional harm to my engine due to an aftermarket add on.

I think there is some valid pro's for the catch cans but I don't think I need one.

 

The oil looked like it just came out of a bottle!

 

This was shortly after my first oil change, which I completed at 2400 miles. The oil was darker colored in the collection pail, and on the paper towel.
Truck would have had less than 3500 miles on it at this time.

it wasn't jet black, but orangey brown colored. Probably more the lighting from the trouble light, and just a very fine stream. The truck was hot, right after pulling in garage, after a drive. This is the lower hose, that pulls vacuum from the drivers side valve cover. The top hose is from passenger side turbo, & clean, & dry.

it was a minimal amount of oil. Have you ever looked in yours. I am sure you will find the same thing.

I was also getting almost 8.5 % fuel dilution in the oil on my first oil change!

 

Thanks cdlamb - I have not checked mine as you have. But I was not totally convinced by the original response I received previously. So you confirmed that there is some amount of oil getting through from the PCV system. Any oil in the intake is a bad thing especially under boost applications. In my experience with boosted supercharged applications the oil separators are needed to help keep those intercoolers clean and prevent dilution. If your worried about a check valve in the systems your looking at, you may want to check into JLT Performance. I've used their product in several applications including my Harley and they just work, no moving parts, no check valves.

 

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As your truck is still under warranty, why not take it to your dealer & have them look @ / explain what's going on ???
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Does this seem to be an issue on just the 3.5 ecos? My 2.7 eco has 56k miles on it, and during the last oil change I checked the intercooler and found it was dry and clean. I've also never had any driveability problems.

 

This is an issue on HIS truck, not 3.5 ecos.

 

I have taken my oil analysis results in, & they are not willing to do anything about it unless it starts to affect driveability.

I had it in for the seatbelt duct tape fix, & asked them about it, even asked if they could reflash the computer to make sure it is updated, & they wont even hook it on to a diagnostics machine. They wont even log my concerns on the invoice.

I am just changing the oil at a 3000 mile interval Pennzoil Platinum synthetic 5W-30 is what I have switched to on most recent oil change.


They wont do anything unless it throws a check engine light. I feel that it runs rough when it is cold, & has a bit of a rough idle, & am expecting that it will eventually throw some kind of cold once we get into some colder weather, but maybe not. I don't own any diagnostic equipment, & I would like to check fuel trim levels.

They don't seem to think it is an issue.
I have 3 dealers in my area, I have talked to the original salesman, & their shop foreman, sending them each oil analysis report. I have reached out to Ford Corporate office to find if this is a normal amount of fuel dilution, & they wont give me a straight answer. I have even posted results on Twiiter to Ford, & they just reply, that I have to work with my dealer. I tell them I have been talking to my dealer, but not getting anywhere. I am just getting frustrated.

I have kept all the emails, & asked them if I will be covered if I have Turbo or timing chain issues after my warranty expires, if I have an issue related to fuel dilution.

have provided them proof that its been an issue from day one, & they haven't done anything about it. Hope that if there are issues down the road they look after me. Now I feel its in my best interest to not have them become annoyed by me.


When sending oil analysis you need to be sure to find a lab that uses gas chromotography.
I sent 2 identical samples to 2 different labs. 1 lab dealt strictly with diesel, & they don't do GC testing, according to their analysis oil was fine and could run a longer drain interval, the other lab red flagged it saying it needs oil changed.

I called them up on their results, & told them seeing big discrepancies between 2 different lab results, & then they explain that they don't have the right equipment yet.

I see a lot of Blackstone labs tests with viscosity values that look like could be higher fuel dilution than what they indicate.

I send to AGAT labs, & Fluidlife for GC testing.

My most recent oil change was sent to both labs just to compare results between the 2 labs again.

I am still waiting for Fluid life sample to be returned, I was a little later getting it in the mail to them.

I have attached lab results for my 3rd oil change sent to both ALS & AGAT, & I will update with the Fluid life sample sent on most recent one when it shows for any that are interested.

The AGAT download show oil change 2,3, & 4

 

The PCV systems were not changed on the 2015+ trucks. The intercoolers were changed and the active grille shutters were added to help decrease the likelyhood of condensing moisture from the air and the oil/fuel/combustion gas residue coming from the PCV system. This also lead to decreased heat soak time for the intercooler which means less cooling efficiency under extended load. But who cares about that.

The PCV system is still venting the crankcase of fuel diluted oil and blowby gasses from the cylinders directly into the intake system. The new CAC design and position and shutters may not be allowing that to condense like the 11-14, but that comes with its own drawbacks. Either way, that mix is still in the intake system and entering the engine, so you are likely to still find these residues within the tubing at some point.

 

I drilled the hole on my 2016 the first day I brought it home. While it may not be enough to cause issues, I can assure you that even on the 2015+ trucks there is some buildup inside it, as my garage floor and front wall have stains where it blows out when I start the truck. This is in Calgary with an average humidity of around 25%. My oil level never moves and the oil never smells like fuel.