Hello All,

A little background:
2013 F-150 FX4 Ecoboost
Just under 98k miles
P/O installed a catch can system but otherwise all stock
I've owned this since 58k miles and always had a dealer change the oil before recommended oil change intervals. The dealer I purchased from also provided detailed maintenance records from previous owner.
I love this truck and have been very adamant about only having Ford Dealer's perform maintenance.

In Dec. 2019, the check engine light came on and the motor started to run rough (87k miles). It ended up being a stretched timing chain so the local Ford Dealer replaced the timing chain and cam phasers per the revised TSB.

Fast forward to March 2021 and the same symptoms from earlier came up. The truck is now just under 98k miles. We just recently moved and I took it to a different dealership. They called shortly later and said when they took the valve covers off, they noticed sludge buildup. They immediately asked if I had any type of extended warranty (I don't) and then went on to say the entire motor needed replaced and possible the turbos. They even offered to install a used high mileage motor for a cheaper price, which I thought was strange coming from a dealer.

Does this sound legit? I am thinking at a minimum I should take it somewhere else for another opinion but it is the only Ford dealership in the area. Thoughts?

 

Take it somewhere for another opinion.
Its common for the turbo error code to pop when the timing gets thrown off.
So if your chain is stretched again, throwing off the timing...it will throw a turbo code.
Its a safety feature...nothing wrong with the turbos.

Anyway otherwise ya, the 2013 3.5 ecos are total POS engines.
I have no scientific data to back up my claim except to say that I have read more 3.5 eco problems with the 2013 than any other year.
That and the fact I had a 2013 eco and I replaced my timing chains and tensioners, VCTs etc three times under 85k miles.

 

I dont know if it is all Gen 1 Ecoboosts but my 2014 has been a disaster as well and I only have 53,000 miles on mine.

 

I think the dealers are telling stories and trying to fleece the unwary.

 

It just seemed a bit strange to me that by only taking the valve covers off, they were able to determine it needed an entire long block. Then said they could put in a used high mileage replacement. All this after a dealer fairly recently replaced the timing chain.

 

My oil drinking 2013 5.0 is also a POS.
Is that you Sasquatch77?

 

Totally agree. This assessment from looking under the valve covers?

My 3.5 with 104k needed the timing chain, so we did oil, water pumps, all solenoids and cam phasers at the same time. I had some mild sludge in the motor which they cleaned up.Virtually every engine out there at higher mileage has some sludge somewhere.
Every car and truck model has lemons, and the folks who owned them cry hardest and loudest.

Run to a second opinion.... I have never heard of a dealer offering to replace a high mileage engine with a....high mileage engine. If the rest of the truck is sound, and you really like the truck, get a reputable mechanic to give an honest assessment.

 

The only time any of my vehicles see a franchised auto dealership is when there is a warranty claim or recall. Never would I return my car to a dealership because they're simply too expensive. I do my own basic maintenance within my capabilities.

Find yourself a good high tech independent service operation to get a second opinion from. I have such a shop, and their hourly rates are half that of the dealer.

I'm sorry you're having problems. But there's no substitution for a 100% correct engine analysis as parts and labor are too expensive to just go fishing without backup documentation or OBDII readouts.

 

Thanks. I appreciate that. I have normally always done my own maintenance but I didn't want to take chances with this truck and had a dealer very close that actually had great rates / service. Lesson learned for sure.