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Any ford 3.5 ecoboost experts?

Motor Boater

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No it’s not running bad I actually love this engine.

I took my truck in for an oil change and had a small oil leak, My dealership said it needed a timing cover gasket. Then after 7 days when it’s done he says my oil change is free because they had to drain the oil to take the timing cover off. I’m thinking that doesn’t sound right. Then he says it was an oil pan gasket, now that makes sense. Then I get there and he says again it was a timing cover. They supposedly shampooed the engine, found the leak, fixed the timing cover gasket and changed the oil. So I’m excited to see what my engine looks like and I pop the hood and find a filthy engine. No biggie maybe they only shampooed the underside even though he said they would do the whole engine. Then I see the oil filter hasn’t been changed. They say I’m wrong. This is a brand new oil filter.
IMG_8047.jpeg


So my question is. On this engine do you have to drop the oil pan or remove the oil to change the timing cover.

Also, who believes that’s a new oil filter.
 

riverroyal

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Was this a dealership? Email the service manager
 

Motor Boater

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Oh I am going to email the GM. And yes it’s a ford dealership.
 

PDQH2O

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Just changed the oil on my new-to-me 2020 Expedition with a 3.5 Ecoboost. My practice is to write the date of install on the new Motorcraft filter. That way, I’ll know exactly when it was last changed. Changing the oil was a huge pain, to the point that I’m considering taking it to the local dealer next time. the OP’s photo illustrates the exact reason I prefer to do the work myself.
 

Motor Boater

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Just changed the oil on my new-to-me 2020 Expedition with a 3.5 Ecoboost. My practice is to write the date of install on the new Motorcraft filter. That way, I’ll know exactly when it was last changed. Changing the oil was a huge pain, to the point that I’m considering taking it to the local dealer next time. the OP’s photo illustrates the exact reason I prefer to do the work myself.
I told my son, no more. We are doing this shit ourselves from now on. The truck is lifted 6inches so it’s easy as hell to get under.
 

monkeyswrench

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Normally, I find it to be a good idea to drain the oil after resealing a timing cover. That way any crap that may have fallen in comes out with the oil. Most places also cleanup the cover or pan to pinpoint the leaks.
 

monkeyswrench

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I told my son, no more. We are doing this shit ourselves from now on. The truck is lifted 6inches so it’s easy as hell to get under.
Lifted or not, that oil pan is a bitch. Timing cover is just nuts and bolts, the pan...ugly.
 

Gelcoater

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I told my son, no more. We are doing this shit ourselves from now on. The truck is lifted 6inches so it’s easy as hell to get under.
Have you considered sending it in and having it analyzed.
It’s not something I do but have read here many inmates do.
Would be interesting to see the results and have it with you if or when you go confront the manager.
 

jetboatperformance

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As a seasoned automotive industry forensics inspector with 60,000 mechanical inspections under my belt I see what looks like either very poor workmanship or something that was said or promised that didn’t get done or didn’t get done properly. I was that dealership I would be embarrassed. If you need my help, I’ll will work pro bono.
 

mash on it

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Oh wow.
Timing covers takes a little bit to get off.
Intake.
Both valve covers.
All the coils.
Balancer.
I'm probably forgetting something.
Then the timing cover.
Both sides are machined surfaces.
No gasket, just rtv.
Same with the oil pan. Just rtv.
At this point, a water pump and timing chain would be wise.
Then again, I'm just a jet bote hack.
3.5 on a Taurus, not a twin turbo F-150. I changed the oil after initial fire up.

Dan'l
 

rivermobster

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No it’s not running bad I actually love this engine.

I took my truck in for an oil change and had a small oil leak, My dealership said it needed a timing cover gasket. Then after 7 days when it’s done he says my oil change is free because they had to drain the oil to take the timing cover off. I’m thinking that doesn’t sound right. Then he says it was an oil pan gasket, now that makes sense. Then I get there and he says again it was a timing cover. They supposedly shampooed the engine, found the leak, fixed the timing cover gasket and changed the oil. So I’m excited to see what my engine looks like and I pop the hood and find a filthy engine. No biggie maybe they only shampooed the underside even though he said they would do the whole engine. Then I see the oil filter hasn’t been changed. They say I’m wrong. This is a brand new oil filter. View attachment 1450530

So my question is. On this engine do you have to drop the oil pan or remove the oil to change the timing cover.

Also, who believes that’s a new oil filter.

See if they have a shop foreman...

Ask to talk to him And the tech who did the work together.

Most service writers don't know which end of a screwdriver to pick up, so don't expect too much from them!

If they don't have a shop foreman, request a meeting with the service manager and the tech.

Most service managers don't know much about mechanical shit either, but it will be best to have a witness there, when you speak to the tech that did the work.

Talking to the tech should sort everything out.
 

Taboma

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Maybe I missed it --- but regardless of what was claimed to have been changed.
A. Was the leak fixed ?
B. What work were you charged for and was that done ?
C. You didn't quote the service writer stating they'd changed the filter, only the oil because they had to drain it. ?
 

OkHallett270

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IMG_2162.jpeg


This is a 3.5 timing chain job I did in my shop a while back. This was a ‘20 model expedition I believe. I didn’t remove the oil pan, but I did change the oil. That filter looks old, unless there was a lot of nasty liquid on the belt on first start up but that doesn’t make sense to me. You don’t technically have to change the oil but after all that work with the front of the engine open it’s a good idea to do so. Sounds like your service writer doesn’t know what really happened and is talking out his or her ass. I know that seems far fetched 😂 but it happens! You should get to the bottom of whats going on though. My old man always subscribed to the rule that the loudest asshole yelling at the writer on the service drive usually gets the best service. In my experience as a dealership tech back in the day, I can say I saw that method work more than once! lol
 
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