Does the Ford EcoBoost have an intercooler?

Yes. The Ford EcoBoost family of turbocharged engines typically includes a charge-air cooler (intercooler) to reduce the temperature of the compressed air before it enters the engine. The exact type and placement vary by engine family and model year, but intercooling is a standard part of EcoBoost turbocharging for improved performance and efficiency.

What an intercooler does and why it matters

An intercooler lowers the temperature of the air after it has been compressed by the turbocharger. Cooler air is denser, delivering more oxygen to the combustion chamber, which improves power, throttle response, and fuel efficiency while helping to prevent knock. In Ford EcoBoost engines, the intercooler is typically integrated into the turbocharged intake path and may be of different designs depending on the engine configuration.

Intercooler configurations across EcoBoost engines

Note: The exact intercooler design depends on the engine size and generation. The following outlines common arrangements seen in Ford's EcoBoost lineup.

• Air-to-air intercooler: The most widely used arrangement, using ambient air to cool the charge air between the turbocharger and the intake manifold.


• Liquid-to-air (water-to-air) intercooler: Some higher-boost or newer Ford EcoBoost configurations use a liquid-to-air cooler that uses coolant to remove heat from the charge air and transfer it to a separate cooling circuit.


• Placement and routing: In most layouts, the intercooler sits in the front of the engine bay with large-diameter piping from the turbo to the intercooler and from the intercooler to the intake.

Regardless of configuration, EcoBoost engines rely on an intercooler to keep intake temperatures in check and maintain performance under boost. For the exact intercooler design on a specific model-year and engine code, consult the official Ford specifications or the vehicle's service manual.

Air-to-air intercoolers

Air-to-air intercoolers use ambient air passing through a dedicated radiator-like core to absorb heat from the compressed air. This is the most common setup across a wide range of EcoBoost engines and is favored for its simplicity and reliability.

Liquid-to-air intercoolers

Liquid-to-air intercoolers use a small amount of engine coolant to absorb heat from the charge air, which is then cooled in a separate radiator or heat exchanger. This design can offer more aggressive cooling in high-load situations but is found on certain higher-performance or newer EcoBoost configurations.

How to identify the intercooler on your EcoBoost

To determine which intercooler setup your Ford EcoBoost uses, look for a dedicated intercooler radiator or core in the front of the engine bay and the associated charge-air piping. Some vehicles also feature a coolant circuit if a liquid-to-air intercooler is used. A dealership or service manual can confirm the exact configuration for your VIN.

Summary

In short: Ford's EcoBoost engines are turbocharged and almost always paired with an intercooler to cool boosted air before it reaches the engine. The exact design—typically air-to-air, with some applications using liquid-to-air cooling—depends on the engine family, generation, and model year. For precise details, refer to your model year’s official Ford specifications and engine code.

Does EcoBoost have an intercooler?

It doesn't take long for the factory intercooler on the EcoBoost Mustang to suffer from severe heatsoak. This starts a vicious cycle of escalating intake air temperatures that take away power.

How are Ford EcoBoost turbos cooled?

The 1.5L GTDI uses a water-cooled CAC. Coolant is circulated through the cooler by an electric coolant pump.

What year to avoid Ford 3.5 EcoBoost?

Years to avoid for the 3.5L EcoBoost are primarily 2011-2017, with the 2018-2020 models also having significant risks like cam phaser and 10-speed transmission issues. These earlier models can have problems including turbo and vacuum pump leaks, exhaust manifold issues, timing chain problems, and oil pan leaks, especially if the oil pan is a two-piece plastic version, common in 2017-2018 models. 
Years to be cautious about

• 2011–2012: Prone to intercooler condensation and related misfires. 
• 2013–2015: Can have issues with leaking PCV valve adapters, leading to blue or white smoke. 
• 2015: Turbocharger and timing chain problems have been reported. 
• 2017: The first year of the second-generation engine saw plastic two-piece oil pans that were prone to leaking. 
• 2018–2020: These years often had the 10-speed transmission, which could have poor shifting issues, and the cam phaser problems were still present unless they had been replaced with the updated parts. 

Years with issues to watch out for

• 2017–2018: These years used a two-piece plastic oil pan that is prone to leaking and can have backordered gaskets. 
• 2018–2020: These years often had the 10-speed transmission, which could have poor shifting issues, and the cam phaser problems were still present unless they had been replaced with the updated parts. 

Potential problems across several years 

• Cam phasers: The cam phaser issue was a known problem in many earlier models and the 2018-2020 years unless replaced with the updated parts. 
• Exhaust manifold: In the first-generation 3.5L EcoBoost (2011–2016), the exhaust manifolds can warp and break studs. 
• Oil leaks: Various oil leaks can occur, from the vacuum pump to the oil pan gasket. 
• Timing chains: Timing chain issues have been reported on various models, especially in the first-generation 3.5L EcoBoost (2011–2016). 

Do 2017 F150 EcoBoost have an intercooler?

Your F150 has an intercooler fitted to it from the factory, but it is commonly known to be flawed in a couple of aspects. It is specified to suit stock levels of performance and a budget while an upgrade is specifically designed to outperform this.