Ford Ecoboost Head Gasket Replacement 2.0L - PART 1 of 2: Removal

/ nixxxx.fixxxx
Head gasket replacement on a 2018 Ford Escape 2.0L turbo (Ecoboost).
Link to Part 2: • Ford Ecoboost Head Gas...
Timing tools: amzn.to/3KeGn4z
Fuel Injector Seals: amzn.to/3zhDklU
Cylinder Head Bolts: amzn.to/3m2Rwfs
Valve Cover Gasket: amzn.to/3Kl2DbR
Discovery Sport Videos I reference in this video:
Discovery Sport Timing Repair PART 1: • Land Rover L538 Evoque...
Discovery Sport Timing Repair PART 2: • Land Rover L538 Evoque...
Ecoboost 1.5L TSB: static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/201...
In the video, I mentioned I hadn’t read about the 2.0L version suffering the same issue as the 1.5L. Well, there is a TSB for the 2.0L as well: static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/201...
Affected 1.5: Engines:
2014-2019 Ford Fusion
2017-2019 Ford Escape
Affected 2.0L Engines:
2015-2018 Ford Edge
2017-2019 Ford Escape
2017-2019 Ford Fusion
2017-2019 Lincoln MKC
2017-2019 Lincoln MKZ

[@NiXFiX]

Thank you for watching! Please like and subscribe. If I helped you complete your project, please consider Super Thanks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6CXmGNuf9-YsM0 Thanks, Nick

[@neilb505]

Kudos to you! Every other video just wants to talk about why they fail. You are the only one that filmed an attempt to fix it without changing the entire block.

[@awareness4]

Fantastic breakdown. Thanks for you time and wisdom.

[@timelesssteelgarage]

Nice work !

[@NiXFiX]

Thanks! Fans, check out Timeless Steel Garage's KZbin channel for some unique builds!

[@austinduncan5093]

So I got the lifter buckets out of order and can’t find the right orientation of them any chance you would know it😅

[@unprofessionalmechanic8466]

Would it make sence to crack those water pump pulley bolts loose, just a tiny bit, before removing the belt?

[@paulsmithson6866]

I'm trying to find the courage to do this with my wife's 1.5 ecoboost, low compression on cylinder 1, but looks like rings have failed on that cylinder too, due to coolant intrusion. Thank you for your excellent video!

[@Jesusistheonlywaay]

Replacing the head gasket on that is just a temporary fix. The real problem is the design on the block. Ford put out alpt of TSBs on the ecoboost engines built in 2017-19. The block must be replaced with the new design. The old design allowed coolant into the cylinders. Ford actually extended the warranty to 7 yrs or 84,000 miles specifically on the 1.5L. My 2018 Ford Escape 1.5L is at the dealership now getting a new engine under warranty.

[@paulsmithson6866]

@@Jesusistheonlywaay car is out of warranty, engine or block replacement would cost more than the car is worth. So it's either try to get a bit of extra life out of this engine or scrap the car.

[@Tbarlow699]

Those slits, and ford going to an open deck block design are the sole reason these motors now have head gasket, and coolant intrusion issues. Wasn’t a problem on the gen 1, 13-16 block, because it was a closed deck, which they should have stuck with.

[@larryreno8293]

Absolutely right. I’ve replaced nearly 400 of the escape/fusion engines over the years.

[@NiXFiX]

Amen.

[@larryreno8293]

Even the 2.0l was a problem. The 2.0l received a revised engine design while the 1.5l received a revised block.

[@user-zi5nk8li6b]

Thanks for making the video. I’m looking at Mavericks with the 2.0 EcoBoost and wanted to see how quick it would be to clean the intake valves. Looks to be not ideal

[@NiXFiX]

This is a relatively easy intake to remove. And Mavericks, I believe, are new enough to no longer have this design flaw.

[@user-zi5nk8li6b]

@@NiXFiXsorry meant the valves look harder to reach. The European motors had removable intake runners and the valves were not so deep off the manifold

[@unprofessionalmechanic8466]

Wow! Thank you for these videos. Very educational. I am working on 2016 Evoque where piece of intake VVTI popped out and broke the chain. Upon leak-down test I learned that 1;2;4 cylinders hold 23-ish out of 25 psi that being applied and cylinder 3 holds only 18psi. With video camera I can see marks on the carbon layer of the piston where valves, looks like kissed the piston. Car has 74,000 miles and looks like it had been meticulasly maintained, no varnish inside the engine. My question here is, if I take the head off, is it must to take it to machine shop to get it resurfaced? Or I can just follow peoper sequence - i.e. start from the sides, remove head, replace lap the valves, clean and put it back with new gasket? Thank you.

[@NiXFiX]

Not a must to resurface. A razor blade, some brake clean, some 1000 grit sand paper, more brake clean, and you're good.

[@x3sur13x]

Great video Man! You provided so much useful info in both parts. I am currently dealing with the same issue on a 2017 Lincoln MKZ with a 2.0l ecoboost engine. Been reading a lot online on how just like the 1.5 the 2.0 is having a lot of issues with this due to the design. No wonder ford is straight up just telling people they need to replace the whole engine since it is very likely to happen again even after replacing the gasket. Shame they aren't doing any thing to help people out with this issue all repairs have to be done out of pocket. Really glade I came across your video tho! Just curious if you can disclose how much was the cost for this repair for the customer?

[@NiXFiX]

Thanks for your comment and I'm glad I could help. I don't have "customers", I just find vehicles that need their engines fixed and buy them.

[@Jesusistheonlywaay]

Replacing the head gasket on that is just a temporary fix. The real problem is the design on the block. Ford put out alpt of TSBs on the ecoboost engines built in 2017-19. The block must be replaced with the new design. The old design allowed coolant into the cylinders.

[@NiXFiX]

Did you even watch this video?

[@johnready630]

Had my Ford dealership tell me that they use FELPRO head gaskets and it fixes the issue.

[@dustinsnipes937]

Ford should be making these engines good. Everyone of them coming into my shop is bad. I'm about to do one but I'm going to JB weld that slit between cylinders and see if it holds up longer.

[@NiXFiX]

I totally agree. I foresee litigation / class action lawsuit in the future. They have redesigned this for 2020+ models. Several 2014 through 2019 models are affected.

[@dustinsnipes937]

@NiX FiX there is already one class action against them but I guess it's still going thru the motions

[@CoyoteDAworld]

@@NiXFiXI have a 2.3 mustang 2019 and I’m about to hit 30k fbo and this is one of those things I need to do . Along with the Apr headstud

[@herc1979]

Did you end up doing this? I am thinking of doing the same.

[@rgnechuta]

great video. I have a question though. I have a 2018 Ford Fusion 1.5L EcoBoost. I have not done major engine work since the 90's. But I'm up for the challenge. Any tips for the difference from the 2.0L and the 1.5L. Thanks, Randy

[@NiXFiX]

I imagine they are similar (I know the 2.0L and 2.3L are really close). I have yet to see or work on a 1.5L ecoboost unfortunately.

[@GuwapYt]

does the cylinder head bolts need replacement after removing for new seal?

[@NiXFiX]

The bolts don't directly seal anything. It is always recommended to change cylinder head bolts because most are torque to yield. Watch part 2, I replace the bolts as it goes back together.

[@user-en7zg3yd6d]

The tool that you linked on Amazon is coming up for a Land Rover is that correct?

[@NiXFiX]

Yes. I know it says Land Rover. Land Rover uses a nearly identical engine in their discovery sport and evoque. I like the land rover one better than the ones listed specifically for Ford.

[@stevenuhlmeyer7078]

It should be warranted by Ford on all the 4 cylinder ecoboosts.

[@kennyhart2699]

I know Ford has a tsb that recommends replacing the long block and that is fine if warranty is going to eat the $7000 cost but you are saying you can replace the gasket and hopefully get another 60,000 mile?. I have one with 96,000 miles that hasn't blown yet, in your opinion are they all definitely going to fail?

[@NiXFiX]

Yes, 15 hours of labor to replace a ~$40 head gasket beats $7,000 any day. And yes, I would expect getting similar mileage out of it (50,000+). All fail? Time will tell.

[@AdamConstantine]

Is this repair the same for a 2016 fusion 2.0L? I need to do a head gasket.

[@NiXFiX]

Should be very similar if not identical as long as your fusion is the 2.0 ecoboost (turbo) and not the hybrid or energi.

[@occa4503]

I have a 2017 2.0L Escape with the issue. It did the white smoke at start up a couple of times, was giving P0304 codes but that stopped, so far I've had to add about a half gallon of pre-mix coolant. Went 3 weeks with no issues or codes. Now it cranks but won't start. What are the labor hours involved in this head gasket replacement or approximately what would an independent shop estimate for something like this?

[@NiXFiX]

I looked at my time sheet for this and I see I spent 15.5 hours on it. Of course some of that includes taking time to film things. As far as an independent shop, it is hard for me to say. I do so much of my own work, I am out of touch regarding what things cost in a shop. I would think $3,000 to $4,000 but that is just a wild guess.

[@gregalot200]

One year and 10k miles now on head gasket sealer cost was about $35.

[@kennyhart2699]

​@@gregalot200what sealer did you use?

[@gregalot200]

@@kennyhart2699 got 15k and it went bad again now I( need a radiator because its clogged

[@ghostofsoufeasthoustone]

I’m in the middle of changing a cylinder head on a 2018 Ford edge the same issue. But I noticed you did not get the head resurfaced. Did you have it checked out or do you think it did not work? I’m trying to figure out if I should have mine looked at to see if it’s a warped before I put it back together.

[@NiXFiX]

@@ghostofsoufeasthoustone if your engine didn't overheat, then there isn't much reason to think the head is bad/warped. Just throw a straight edge and feeler gauges on it if you are worried. I checked mine with a straight edge and once verified good, just razor bladed the old gasket remnants off.

[@ghostofsoufeasthoustone]

It’s my sister in laws truck, it did 1 hot. Just the once, but she’s got oil and water all mixed together. The worst I’ve ever seen. I don’t like to work on Ford but that’s just me. But I do see a lot of issues with this engine. Like AUDI 2.0! Major headache! Even with her running it hot only once I’m afraid it could be warped. It is a lot of work not to get it resurfaced of course if it is. It’s gonna be a dumb question but what kind of straight edge are you checking it with like a square.

[@NiXFiX]

@@ghostofsoufeasthoustone a square is for wood working. Not precise enough for machine specifications. This is what I use: amzn.to/3t0G3wR

[@ghostofsoufeasthoustone]

@@NiXFiXThank you. I really appreciate the advice and the video…

[@tommykoppy6872]

Nice tear down! Yea what a dumb thing to do Ford.. When this happens to mine, I'm just wondering if we could weld that damn gap closed and have it resurfaced. Gotta be a way lol.

[@NiXFiX]

You could do a weld build up and then machine it flat, but that would require a full engine disassembly. I spent 15 hours total on this head gasket change and expect it to last as long as the original (60,000).

[@tommykoppy6872]

@@NiXFiX Right exactly what I would do if I wasn’t ready to replace the block. I’m pushing my 2.0 a bit harder with full bolt on parts so just a matter of when, not if probably.

[@randellgribben9772]

is this engine.. the cleveland engine or the vel spanish engine?

[@waynstar-dk5eo]

The Cleveland head gaskets come in our shop more

[@stevo1846]

Would you get head skimmed before re-fitting ?

[@NiXFiX]

I just cleaned it. You could surface it if you want, but the root of the problem is the block and it's slots.

[@stevo1846]

@@NiXFiX .So what's the solution..Can you get-away with justcq new headgasket

[@NiXFiX]

Stevo, ford's solution is to replace the engine with an updated version. For those out of warranty, that's a significant cost. The way I see it is if the original head gasket made it beyond the warranty (60,000 miles?) than a quality replacement gasket should make it another 60,000+ miles.

[@stevo1846]

@@NiXFiX Good point

[@MagicTheKrakening]

2018 mustang ecoboost with 23k miles on it... head gasket blown, overheating at idle, few months out of warranty and ford trying to say i gotta pay for a new engine. This car not dogged or nothing my wife drives it and i put 80mph lock on the car as well. This is just ridiculous that these engines are prone to failure like this.

[@NiXFiX]

Man. Terribly sorry to hear that. Really low miles to. Hopefully you're mechanically skilled enough to follow my videos on this and fix it. If not, and you don't want to pay to have it fixed, contact me through my new Facebook page (see video description). I'd be interested in buying it.

[@MagicTheKrakening]

@@NiXFiX currently in talks with Ford to see if they are going to do the right thing. If not, then we can talk about you buying it. I have a facebook account but FYI, does not have my real information on it, so don't be alarmed when you get request from profile picture of guy with mugshot.

[@aarongagnow6027]

What years was this engine used?

[@waynstar-dk5eo]

I think 2015 thru 2020.

[@davehimself9164]

Did anyone else take a 2.0 apart and turn the crank any before locking it in? I know,dumb,but I thought it was just another overhead cam motor.

[@cnichols998]

Wasn’t this part of a recall?

[@NiXFiX]

As far as I know, only a technical service bulletin (TSB) exists.

[@bdredden71]

Lol... the crank tdc bolt bypass

[@NiXFiX]

?

[@bdredden71]

Oh sorry, I'm doing a timing chain on a Range Rover. Just jealous that the stop bolt goes in so much easier.

[@NiXFiX]

@@bdredden71 yep. totally feel your pain. I have videos (part 1 and part 2) on the Land Rover version. Here is part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqGZgWN-eb9orc0

[@danlorencz82]

Over engineered junk ! They could build a simple reliable car for much less money . They've had problems going back to 2014 .

[@Tbarlow699]

Gen 1, 13-16 2.0 ecos are practically bullet proof. When they switched to an open deck block design, and added those bs slits between the cylinders when they “updated” is when all the problems started happening. Yeah, some gen 1 2.0s had issues, but nothing compared to the gen2. I know many, many people myself included, running big turbo, decent powered builds on the gen 1 and have no issues. My 13 2.0 ecoboost fusion is big turbo, literally every bolt on under the sun, unopened block is making north of 430 wheel horsepower, and has been beaten and abused for 124k and has been phenomenal. Then again, I take care of my car. Can’t say the same for 90% of people.

[@chrisgaskill7923]

All that hard work because ford is making garbage motors

[@NiXFiX]

Eh. You're not wrong. But this only took 15 hours or so.

[@huckfonda8738]

Got 198k out of mine... Far from garbage IMO

[@ce4015]

Dang, what a pain in the ars. I have to do this now. This is a scary job

[@NiXFiX]

If you can replace a transmission in a car, you can do this. Good luck!