Welcome to the forum. I recall somebody posting on here that their dealer had said they had one (or more) of the new 1.5l 3cyl EcoBoost engines with head gasket problems. It was a long time ago and probably in the 3G section where the 1.5l 4cyl failures are discussed.

I hope things improve with both your Fords. That would be very stressful to have both with problems.

 

Oh no....don't tell me this is happening with some of the latest models too. I thought Ford had corrected this by changing the design of the block to solve the cracking problem.

 

I thought Ford had corrected this by changing the design of the block to solve the cracking problem.

It's a newish 3 cylinder engine and you'd think they would have it sorted. Note I think those engine/s were out of another Ford model.

(It won't be a problem in Australia as they're not selling the 1.5l EcoBoost in any of the new 2021 Escape models. It's the 2.0l EcoBoost or nothing.)

 

Why do you keep buying Fords after these issues?

 

Like any other vehicle some have faults.

Do you have an Escape these days? With respect, I understand you had problems with a previous Escape but most are fine and the later models especially are not necessarily all faulty?

Like all forums you only hear of problems and rarely hear of happy owners which make up the vast majority.

In saying that I realize that one of the purposes of these forums is to try and help and advise each other with problems but in this case it doesn't mean that all Fords are faulty.

In my case I have had zero problems since purchasing 3 years ago.

 

As an update by the way; we have no updates. We took it to probably the worst Ford dealer in town service/communication wise. Ford corporate did finally put us in a rental but as of tomorrow morning it’s been out of service for three weeks with no ETA on the table. I certainly intend to ask detailed questions and provide information here when we know more.

 

Please keep in mind this discussion is about the 2020 1.5l 3 cylinder EcoBoost. Any posts involving the old 1.5l 4 cylinder engine will be deleted.

Also keep on topic. Questioning someone's choice of vehicle is of little help!

 

So, your Escape and your Bronco Sport both have the 3 cylinder engine?

 

yes, although the Bronco is exhibiting electrical failure and they replaced the loom to the trans

 

Just purchased a 2020 Escape SE and am also having coolant issues. Two weeks after at around 300 miles I decided to check the oil and noticed I only had about 1/2 inch coolant in the reservoir when the engine was warm and it was empty when the engine cooled. Oil looked fine and clear but could smell coolant in the engine bay when you opened the hood.

Dealer topped it off and made an appointment for the following week. the pressure test show it was losing 5 pounds in about 10 minutes. There was no visible leaks and the only thing they found was a clamp on the return line had a tab on it keeping it from clamping down right. They fixed that and retested and now it doesn't lose pressure.

A week later and now it seems the coolant level is dropping again but much slower than before and can still smell coolant under the hood.

Do the 2020's have a coolant level sensor? And with that low of coolant should I be concerned about and damage to the engine? The temp gauge never went above half way.

 

@Penguin530..If you can smell coolant under the hood it sounds like it is leaking somewhere and I doubt it is the dreaded coolant cylinder head intrusion problem with some earlier models.
Suggest you return it to the dealer under warranty and get them to check it out properly for leaks.
If the level is dropping much slower it still may not be retaining pressure so perhaps they could recheck the return line initially.

Whilst there is coolant visible you won't cause damage to the engine.

 

I would not let the dealer keep my car get it back put stop leak in it and drive the car untill the new engine comes in. I recommend you doing a leak down test and verify the dealers findings. mike

 

Which poster here are you replying to please?

 

Romac 2020.mike

 

Any updates on your coolant leak? I have a 2020 escape with the 1.5. Just hit 19,500. And it has the disappearing coolant problem. Goes to the dealership tomorrow. No visible leaks. Doesn’t over heat. And no smell either.

 

OMG....don't tell me this issue still isn't sorted. I thought they changed the block design at the US plant.

 

The opening post of this thread says the cause of that failure was a cracked block.

Two weeks ago our 2020 went into the dealer after noticing the coolant was well below minimum. 16,000 miles on it total. We had already scheduled a visit because of some other issues we were having (interior noises etc, nothing ‘major’) but showed them the coolant. After two weeks they have found the block is cracked and they have a new one on order, with no ETA.

It still has the open deck block design. Lots has changed but that has not.

That's a trait it probably has in common with most currently made DI turbo engines. If other manufacturers successfully use the same "open block" design then the open block design itself is not the cause of coolant loss. Going by what people have posted on here, Ford (perhaps) have some issues with their implementation. (Failures seem to be reported in the blocks where they've chosen to machine a thin slit in the block face between the cylinder walls. I'm not sure if any of the 1.5l EcoBoost Dragon blocks ever used the "slit" design- see pics at bottom of this post.)

Below is the engine block from the world's most powerful 3 cylinder production engine. It's open deck as well- 1.6l and produces 200kW (268hp) and 370Nm (273 lb ft) of torque.

Searching for 1.5l EcoBoost Dragon engine blocks shows the below

Large pic here https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/atta...891294t-close-look-fords-new-1-5l-3-cylinder-dragon-petrol-engine-engine-10.jpg

 

The opening post of this thread says the cause of that failure was a cracked block.




That's a trait it probably has in common with most currently made DI turbo engines. If other manufacturers successfully use the same "open block" design then the open block design itself is not the cause of coolant loss. Going by what people have posted on here, Ford (perhaps) have some issues with their implementation. (Failures seem to be reported in the blocks where they've chosen to machine a thin slit in the block face between the cylinder walls. I'm not sure if any of the 1.5l EcoBoost Dragon blocks ever used the "slit" design- see pics at bottom of this post.)

Below is the engine block from the world's most powerful 3 cylinder production engine. It's open deck as well- 1.6l and produces 200kW (268hp) and 370Nm (273 lb ft) of torque.

View attachment 80229
Searching for 1.5l EcoBoost Dragon engine blocks shows the below

View attachment 80230

Large pic here https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/atta...891294t-close-look-fords-new-1-5l-3-cylinder-dragon-petrol-engine-engine-10.jpg

Use a magnifying glass on the block picture and you can make out a bore hole, no slit...

 

Well Ford authorized a entire engine replacement because all the parts needed to do just the bottom end replacement were on back order. Don’t know exactly what happened other than they found coolant leaking into one of the cylinders. Supposed to get vehicle back by next week and will have the print out then of what happened.

 

Any news on the printout of what happened? Thank you for keeping us informed. I hope its fixed now

 

I just noticed my coolant low in my 2020 Escape and brought it to the dealer today. It only has 14K miles and seems to run fine, but I want to make sure this is not the problem. I don't smell any coolant smell and the car runs fine. No low coolant light came on, nor has car run hot according to gauges. What should I do to ensure my dealer reviews this correctly. I don't want them to just top off the coolant - the car is too new.

 

1.5L engine? Keep a eye on it. I couldn’t smell coolant nor did I get any codes or overheating. Have them pressure test it from cold start and a warm start. Seems my issue was determined since they did that and found coolant leaking down the cylinder walls

 

Which model is it please?
I would ask them to do a diagnostic test and check for any codes and remove the plugs to see if any of them have any signs of coolant on them pointing out that there has been an issue of coolant intrusion particularly with some older Escapes.
In saying that this may not be the issue with your near new car as it is rare to hear of coolant intrusion issues involving the recent models.
It could be something as simple as a slow leaking hose somewhere which is probably what they should be checking first.

 

It is a 2020 w/1.5l ecoboost

 

I have the coolant leak problem too. In winter of 2021 they couldn't find the leak, yet I had a puddle on my garage floor. This year I checked my reservoir and it was well below the "low" line. Brought it in on March 17, 2022 and it has been at the dealer since. They have replaced several parts, some a couple times because Ford is producing defective parts. The latest to be replaced in my Turbo system. It failed a second time with the "new" part, so they did electric tests with the Ford engineers and it failed once again. I went in and demanded a new mechanic. I will be contacting Ford Customer Care this week to demand they refund me my money and end my lease. This experience has been so bad that I sadly don't think I can trust to get another Ford product.

 

This worries me. I have a 21 se with the 3 cyl 1.5l. I use it daily for work(pharmaceutical) i change oil every 5,000 miles at dealer and it just turned 70,000 miles yesterday. My coolant is always low at every oil change. I wonder If i have something similar? I have the extended warranty until 120,000 miles. Very nervouse now. If they keep your car so darn long....do they give u a car to drive?
Thanks guys

 

I have a 2020 Escape 1.5 Ecoboost, 25K miles. I don't smell any coolant, but so far the dealer has added twice once around 9k miles, another around 19k miles. 1st time a pint (they said) and another time ??. In both cases they said that the vehicle passed pressure tests. I am concerned as the coolant/reservoir is showing below full again (not low, but under the full line). I believe my concern is valid as this is a sealed system and I've never had a newer model car run low on coolant except during a head gasket failure. Anyone else having similar concerns? I really like the vehicle but if it's going to seep coolant into the engine and ruin it I won't be keeping it? I guess the engine warranty it good for 50K miles?

 

I would suggest one more test - ratio of anti freeze to water. If i remember correctly in the old days we used alcohol and had to change it every season because it evaporated Glycol does not hence the longer life. Adding only water/glycol will upset that ratio and might be harmful in the long run. There is a cheap tool that measures the lowest temperature of protection that is recommended in the owners manual. I have to admit I rarely use it as a preventive measure but I will if there is a coolant problem. mike

 

Did the dealer check the plugs for signs of coolant intrusion as suggested 11 months ago?

A dealer is not authorized or paid by FORD unless an OK is given.

 

OMG...well how the heck is the dealer able to diagnoze issues of this type unless they are able to check the obvious I wonder?
Surely they do not have to send an email or ask for written permission from Ford to remove a plug to check it's condition?
So maybe they got permission from Ford to do a pressure test to see if there was coolant intrusion which they did to no avail but then sent the OP away with the same coolant loss issue because they were not permitted by Ford to do further checks.

I am not criticizing you @MOONRNR ....only Ford.

 

OMG...well how the heck is the dealer able to diagnoze issues of this type unless they are able to check the obvious I wonder?

Surely they do not have to send an email or ask for written permission from Ford to remove a plug to check it's condition?

You have to understand they (DEALER/TECH) needs to get paid for that service. A RECALL NOTICE is an entirely different matter. FORD won't pay unless the TECH concludes there is a problem that needs further tear-down, even with a current TSB, unless possibly FORD issues a general go-ahead of the TSB.

If you also notice, there is a minimum 1HR LABOR CHARGE for diagnostics. The customer won't pay. FORD won't pay without a pre-approval.

If a customer comes in with a complaint and the TECH diagnoses the problem, gives the customer an estimate and the customer then decides he doesn't want the repair, who pays the TECH/SHOP for their time/equipment?

Running a DEALER SERVICE/PARTS DEPT is a big business expense. That is why many customer complaints are ignored by a dealer.

I don't like it either but I understand it. An unscrupulous dealer (surely not) could really rip into FORD otherwise. And if a warranty claim is found un-founded/un-supported, FORD can charge it back to the dealer.

FORD's answer? Try another dealer. Think there might be a problem somewhere?

 

Yep....I understand all that but when you think about it it's a wonder any warranty claims get sorted, or perhaps dealers just tell you to come back in 2 weeks or whenever to give them time to check for permission from Ford to investigate a possible obvious solution elsewhere for your issue.

 

... perhaps dealers just tell you to come back in 2 weeks or whenever to give them time to check for permission from Ford to investigate a possible obvious solution elsewhere for your issue.

Maybe, but the dealer should inform the customer if that is what they are doing, not simply dismiss them and leave them wondering. Not how you build customer return new car purchases.

 

Exactly, but it appears that the dealer just dismissed the owner in post #44 who was just advised after they added a pint of coolant that the 'vehicle passed pressure tests'.
In other words, 'it is probably something else but seeya later'.

 

If you look at the last two pages of TSB 22-2229 - 09JUN2022 - 2.0L COOLANT INTRUSION -

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10214126-0001.pdf

It will give the dealer an idea of what vehicle(s) is on the watch list. These seem to have pre-approval from FORD. If not on that list and there is a problem, I assume FORD has to be contacted to get an approval to go into deep diagnostics.

In addition to the ENGINE ID LABEL, the engine components have CASTING ID NOS, along with CASTING DATE, ENGINE PLANT and SHIFT DETAILS. FORD requires this info and will usually have some defective engines shipped back for ENGINEERING to go through. They do this to establish a pattern of failures. I think that is why you are seeing the irregularities being mentioned.

I have not been around a dealer in at least ten years so all of this is merely a guesstimate on my part. A lot has changed.

The important thing for the owner (IMO) is to have the service visit documented and have any service(s) done (such as add coolant-advise to return in a few weeks) detailed on the ticket to CYA. Hold onto that service ticker receipt. Not all dealers are ethical and/or up to speed.

 

Hello Everyone,
I have been off this site for a while. The last time I was here I was talking about the coolant intrusion issue I was having on a 2019 Escape SE with the 1.5l 4 cylinder engine. My Daughter and I both had 2019 Escapes and both of us had to have the 1.5l 4 cylinder replaced. Sorry for the introduction but I am getting there.

Today I took my 2020 Escape 1.5l 3 cylinder into the dealership for low coolant level. I am at the very bottom of the coolant container. Way below the 'Minumum' marker. I do not know yet if the problem is the same as the 2019. If this ends up being the coolant issue where it ends up in the cylinders I will be so disappointed. I really felt like this would not be a problem in the 3 cylinder Dragon engine. I will keep everybody updated.

Sorry forgot to mention, I have the 2020 Escape SE 23,000 miles.

 

Today I took my 2020 Escape 1.5l 3 cylinder into the dealership for low coolant level. I am at the very bottom of the coolant container. Way below the 'Minumum' marker. I do not know yet if the problem is the same as the 2019. If this ends up being the coolant issue where it ends up in the cylinders I will be so disappointed. I really felt like this would not be a problem in the 3 cylinder Dragon engine. I will keep everybody updated.

I havent heard of a coolant intrusion issue with the 3 cylinder 1.5L motor as it has a revised block.
Hopefully it is just a leak somewhere.

 

Well I received a call back from the dealer. They say my car past the pressure test they run on the coolant system. That means coolant is not going into the cylinders. The thing is right now he can not tell me why my coolant level was low.

Is it normal to have the coolant level drop from minimum to not visible, that is below the minimum line. The coolant was at minimum a month ago.

 

Well I received a call back from the dealer. They say my car past the pressure test they run on the coolant system. That means coolant is not going into the cylinders. The thing is right now he can not tell me why my coolant level was low. Is it normal to have the coolant level drop from minimum to not visible, that is below the minimum line. The coolant was at minimum a month ago. View attachment 82955

I know this is old but did you ever find out why your coolant in your reservoir was low ?

(Moderator: quotation fixed.)

 

No it's not normal and the dealer should look into it further as there must be a leak somewhere. Normally coolant only needs a small top up at each yearly or specified mileage service.