2012 F150 Ecoboost Exhaust Manifold Gasket Leak

**Please Expand and Read**
2012 F150 Ecoboost Exhaust Manifold Gasket Leak.
Symptoms and Troubleshooting
Turbo: www.bishopengin...
Bishops Transmission out of Texas. Worked with Rick.
A great resource is also www.alldatadiy.com for an online repair and trouble shooting manual.

[@kingtachoss]

This engine gets so much hate from lots of pickup owners but I can’t really complain about mine. I’ve only had a coolant leak from that same turbo but it was covered under warranty 40,000 miles and it’s still runs like new

[@jaysdiesel]

Dude!!! Your a life saver!! that’s exactly what going on thank you

[@Traumatic911]

You're welcome. I'm not good at making videos but I tried my best and tried to keep it simple. Best of luck to you!

[@jtalman966]

I had this exact issue on my 2016 3.5 ecoboost. Got it in to Ford this week and they are replacing both manifolds and the 1 broken stud under warranty. I only had 8k miles left on my powertrain warranty.

[@Traumatic911]

Y’all are awesome. I use alldatadiy.com as my service manual. Keep the good info coming. I know this wasn’t a TSB when I was looking online. Kept coming across the intake.

[@cocacolacowboy4]

R Jaramillo where did you buy turbos for your f150 ? And blow off valves

[@Traumatic911]

Turbo: www.bishopengine.com/transmiss... Bishops Transmission out of Texas. Worked with Rick. Blow Off Valves- Ebay - User "Clickclickracing" Eric. Eric was great and handled my order quick. stores.ebay.com/clickclickracing/

[@315jlopez]

Awesome video man! That’s exactly what’s happening to my 2011 eco boost at 93K miles. Also, is that the Sandia Mountains? I wasn’t expecting to see those lol. I’m from Albuquerque too.

[@Traumatic911]

Those are the Sandias!

[@erikthompson3608]

Me 2 buddy

[@brandonsmith4294]

Mines at dealer getting this exact thing done. Also from alb

[@robertcarreiro3151]

You sure that the exhaust manifold wasn't warped because those engines make alot of heat and are known for manifold warping

[@Traumatic911]

I put a straight edge on it. Didn’t seem warped. The exhaust manifold bolt sheared which created the leak. Once it was all out back together, it worked perfect!

[@fordguy1115]

Symptoms of a bad manifold gasket leak??

[@AndrewIrizarry]

What did you use to clean the heads?

[@squankey]

Hey you're in Albuquerque! I thought those Foothills looked familiar. I've been browsing manifold videos and came across this. I have been replacing turbos and about to pull driver side manifold.

[@Traumatic911]

squankey well, you can spray it down first and look for bubbles when it’s a cold start. Pull the wheel fender well to gain better access first. You’ll prolly see carbon tracking if you have a leak on the gasket.

[@squankey]

@@Traumatic911 thanks Rob. Once I pulled the turbo I could see that the rear stud had snapped. And definite carbon build up behind the gasket. Explains why vents were pulling in so much exhaust on a cold start. Got a new manifold and stuff from Chalmers today.

[@Traumatic911]

squankey excellent glad this helped you. I’d suggest to replace the lines and all the small aluminum connectors they plug into. I think there’s 3 different size. It’s cheap insurance. Also change out all the exhaust manifold studs with new ones. There’s 2 different ones, the cheaper ones are fine with nuts. Also don’t forget the anti seize too.

[@cowlumbus]

RJ, So we did the procedure on my 2013 on the drivers side. Heard a 3-4 chirps under load (sometimes) and forgot todo the spreak/leak test. Buddy pulled it apart and back together in less then 4 hours (he's a wizard) and although I think it's running better (no pulse under load) and very linear, maybe quieter at idle and better idle that I attributed to carbon build up...so all seems good, but...I still get three chirps that kind of remind of an air break releasing. Very quiet behind the firewall on the drivers side. All post repair facts make me think we fixed it except the sound is still there. 1. Did you notice a pulse in power (mild loss) when the sound would chirp? 2. Is there anything with the waste gate or OEM blow off that would cause an air loss under load similar to a mild chirp? I might be losing my mind and need to drive it a few more days but it feels way better...just the sound to make me think I called this wrong. Wish I did the squirt test!

[@Traumatic911]

Robert, I noticed a mild hesitation that could potentially be attributed to turbo lag. The only thing I noticed before the chirping was the passenger side spark plugs were slightly wet compared to the driver side from running a little more rich and not getting the exact air/fuel mixture. I didn't know until 30k later... I thought I was going to have an oil leak. Really nothing else key'd me in until I squirted the exhaust manifold - more so for youtube visualization. I've also heard some people are having issues with the intake? I can't verify but that's what I read until I narrowed my problem. There could also be a bad exhaust gasket leak if you didn't replace them with new ones. Sometimes you may have to run it until it breaks to identify the root cause. I know some models have issues - with I think the break booster or something of that nature that had a 150k warranty - could be related...? Good luck with your search.

[@josephzaragoza6848]

I give it less than ten more years to fail again very poor design n cheap making its costly already after 9 years bearly my 1991 push button 4x4 custom ford ranger was tougher than this truck anyday!!!

[@cowlumbus]

Someone says Ford calls for new coolant lines (assuming ones are pulled off to turbo) did you see a need to replace these?

[@Traumatic911]

I replaced the lines because I had damaged them. However, if they come out the only thing that needs to be replaced are the coolant line inserts. There are two of them on each turbo and then the ones on the block on the side and also the rear. The one on the passenger side behind the block is difficult to get to but it's accessible with a wrench. Be mindful there are either two or three different plug sizes. www.summitracing.com/parts/rnb-800-607?seid=srese1&cm_mmc=pla-google-_-shopping-_-srese1-_-dorman&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5Pn6sICY2wIVJCjTCh3mWAnMEAkYByABEgJMvfD_BwE That's a link to what they look like. There is a clip that are in the new ones that you just push the line in to secure, you don't have to pull the clip. The only lines will need to be cleaned up a bit to remove any debris from the old rubber gasket.

[@VentureNW]

I know this vid is a bit old... but did you bolt up the same manifold here? They warp, which creates the issue of that bolt breaking off. CRP Engineering makes better balanced manifolds for these trucks and I am changing mine out now. Let me know. Thanks.

[@Traumatic911]

Great question! I put a straight edge on the manifold after I cleaned it with my whizz wheel. It wasn’t warped.

[@VentureNW]

@@Traumatic911 thanks for the quick reply back. Very appreciated

[@ToGrimmToWin]

My 2011 looks just like this one lol even the lower grill for intercooler

[@neudimensions1320]

Did you have to pull the cat Y pipe to get the turbo off? Thanks for the vid btw.

[@Traumatic911]

Team Neudimensions I think I loosened it for manipulation to put it back on I don’t think I pulled it completely off. I’m not 100% since it’s been almost 2 years. If doing both sides it may be easier to pull the Y pipe but since it was passenger side only, I didn’t wanna pull more than I did.

[@neudimensions1320]

R Jaramillo Thanks for the response. Yeah I really don't want to mess with the other side but i guess I might have to.

[@wilyoung7874]

Did you replace the manifold and gasket? or just the nut? The reason I am asking is I may have to do replace my manifolds and wanted to know if you had to remove the entire engine or if you just went through the wheel well fender?Thanks for the Video.

[@Traumatic911]

You shouldn't have to remove the engine. You can go through the tire side and remove all the wheel well covers. I replaced every single gasket that I could that I touched. From the coolant connections to any exhaust gasket. They get brittle and won't seal right and may just fall apart when you take it off.

[@wilyoung7874]

Thank you. Much easier than removing the entire engine, or at least fewer hours. How long did it take you to replace them?

[@Traumatic911]

The exhaust manifold gasket? I just did the passenger side. I think it took me around 6-7 hours in my front yard. Now that I know how and maybe in a shop, I'd be around 4 R&R

[@wilyoung7874]

Great help, Thanks so much , it will probably take me 8 hours or the whole weekend since i have very lil experience.

[@ferdie186]

@@wilyoung7874 mine started to chirp as well, hope its simpler than working on my audi's.

[@davidsonpeguero2760]

Manifold is smoking. I don’t know if it’s the manifold,turbo,vacuum leak. Performance has not changed and no crazy noises. Any help necessary thank you

[@Traumatic911]

It could be an oil leak somewhere? Or an exhaust leak off the manifold gasket. If you see carbon tracking on the gasket it’s prolly no good.

[@joshfresquez4621]

How did you get that top coolant line in? I’m having such a hard time with mine and that’s all I need to be done

[@Traumatic911]

I just clicked it in

[@gagetennis3448]

Did you notice any loss of power upon acceleration coming off a stop?

[@Traumatic911]

When I finished. I did notice a better responsiveness in my throttle with acceleration

[@jakepeterson3379]

Did you only replace the gasket or the exhaust manifold as well? Also on a scale of 1 to 10 how much of a pain in the ass was this job?

[@Traumatic911]

Jake Peterson I replaced the exhaust manifold gasket and all the studs on the passenger side and cleaned all surfaces with a 1/4 wiz wheel. Having all the parts up front like the gasket in fact all the gaskets, turbo inlet and outlet seals block seals for the coolant lines would have made it easier. Scale of 1-10 for me I’d give it a 4. It was just a time factor and not doing it before. I had to redo it twice in fact lol. It would have been nicer to be in a garage than outdoors that’s for sure.

[@jakepeterson3379]

@@Traumatic911 well that gives me some hope, I appreciate you replying. I guess I'll order parts and give it a go.

[@Traumatic911]

Jake Peterson I used alldayadiy.com Also the Ford website for ordering parts was a little tricky. Good luck to you.

[@SD-wy1bw]

Same issue on the 2011 with 150k miles. What are the long term concerns if i keep driving as it is ? i am going to keep it another year max.

[@Traumatic911]

I would imagine loss of power and fuel economy and potentially could get worse?.... not entirely sure.

[@tfc_s5507]

Have this same issue at 133k , did u put a new header? Or just new gasket

[@Traumatic911]

I used the same header. New gasket and manifold studs and nuts around that whole passenger side.

[@treywienk8901]

What’s name of company you bought turbo from

[@Traumatic911]

www.bishopengine.com

[@never2late454]

I think I'm having the same problem with my 2012. I can hear the turbo whistling really loud as I accelerate.

[@Traumatic911]

Could be. Pull the fender well and see if there’s any carbon tracking or spray it down before it heats up with soap and water for bubbles.

[@never2late454]

@@Traumatic911 will do. Thanks. I'm kinda thinking my turbo is giving out also because I'm seeing blue smoke out of the exhaust.

[@tylerdavis288]

Is the driver's side exhaust manifold difficult to access/replace?

[@Traumatic911]

I would imagine it would be about the same level of difficulty. More “time” consuming than anything.

[@tylerdavis288]

@@Traumatic911 and you gained most of the access through the wheel well?

[@Traumatic911]

@@tylerdavis288 I did. I had to remove the wheel well dust cover. Everything was right there. Just take your time.

[@kevinl2256]

Was the truck throwing a code when you did this?

[@Traumatic911]

kevin legrand , No

[@kevinl2256]

R Jaramillo thanks. One more question, were you seeing drastically declining fuel mileage?

[@Traumatic911]

I had not noticed a difference in fuel but I did notice afterwards a performance increase. My spark plugs on that passenger side were also not as clean burning as the driver side from the fuel trim. I didn't snap when I did my tune up a year before but had some concern. The truck ran beautiful after I fixed that issue.

[@joer9276]

Seems like it’s always that rear bolt breaking.

[@josephzaragoza6848]

Because ford made it cheap this time vacating bolts n putting one bolt near tha firewall supporting tha turbo tha exhaust piping n part of tha catylitic wieght i think it should be a recal on tha manifold itself tha one bolt iz breaking on everytruck there iz

[@tyrusscalf5514]

We’re you getting a strong exhaust smell in the cab ?

[@Traumatic911]

I was not. Typically that would come from a bad CAT

[@tyrusscalf5514]

@@Traumatic911 thanks I’ve been trying to figure it out , just started about a week ago and seems to be getting worse.

[@manuelolivares7254]

How much you paid for the turbo?

[@Traumatic911]

Manuel olivares 250.00 usd

[@manuelolivares7254]

@@Traumatic911 where you buy it ?

[@Traumatic911]

Manuel olivares bishops transmission out of Texas. Their link is in my description.

[@oscart14]

I have the similar problem with my car. Focus st. I replace my catalytic converter thought it was that but it wasn't. But thanks for the vid. Maybe i know whats wrong with my car

[@326yumariver]

What causes this? I just bought a 2014 that has this problem I'm worried that somebody got it on hot At 1 time or another

[@Traumatic911]

Joe Allbright honestly I wouldn't know. It was a manifold bolt that was sheared off, had been for awhile before I caught it. Over heating would be other serious issues, not just that alone.

[@LeeFromEngland]

Robert Jaramillo is there a chance it could have been the turbo too? I am getting that squeal under load but not the blowing exhaust leak noice you have. You mentioned that you replaced the turbo anyway so I am wondering if that is the squeal. How hard was it to replace the turbo?

[@Traumatic911]

Lee FromEngland going in blind I had to replace two coolant lines and two exhaust / turbo gaskets. It wasn’t the turbo - I thought it was. On pavement I’d say 3-4 hours R&R. In a shop doing it before with a lift 2 - 2.5 hours. Pull the wheel well cover and see if there’s anything from the manifold gasket area to the block first. It appears it’s starting to become more common now that the trucks are being worked and aging.

[@derekm21]

Lee FromEngland if it sounds like a screech under heavy acceleration. Almost similar to a belt squeal. It's the manifold. Mine was warped, and I had to replace the manifolds. Which is the case most times. I went and bought upgraded full bore manifolds, since I was replacing them anyway. Cr performance out of Canada sells the aftermarket ones.

[@_willalexander.88]

Derek M did you have a mechanic install or diy? Was contemplating installing those or the SPDs. I think the CRs are better performers being how they're made.

[@ToGrimmToWin]

My 2011 is driver side

[@Traumatic911]

You get it fixed?

[@josephzaragoza6848]

Ford made this one bolt to hold tha manifold n turbo n exauhst piping n catilitic coverter n it broke both sides they really went cheap this time i cant believe it how sorry ford has gotten now making us buy gaskets allready im trading in for a toyota lol😂

[@lotus956]

Tgdi engines are crap. Carbon up the ying yang. Cats will go out they are so clogged. Turbos go out. Coolers mixing oil. No thank you.