Fuel in oil

[jsphlynch]

If performance is good and longevity outlasts warranty then it’s good to go

Strongly disagree. Longevity should not just outlast the warranty, but rather should outlast it by a huge margin.

The Ford techs said the issue stemmed from short trips (<7 miles each way; not up to operating temps). Not a surprise, and not a fix.

The dealership recommended calling to complain and re-open the case (third time). Short trips or not, it’s not supposed to generate fluid.

Exactly. If this vehicle is not suitable for people's commutes or for people who live in locations that experience winter, and that's considered to be within the design parameters, that's a pretty serious issue.

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[jsphlynch]

So I had a thought, though I'm not sure how reasonable it is.

Throughout this thread, we've mainly been pondering how excess fuel could be getting into the oil, but lots of people seem to be getting told that the problem is the other side of the equation: the oil is not getting hot enough to evaporate off the excess fuel due to short drives and/or cold weather (essentially being told it's their fault). My thought was this: what if there was a wonky temperature sensor that reads warm, but not enough to throw a CEL. Would the truck respond by trying to get that wonky reading down to normal, thus keeping the oil temp below the magical temperature at which the fuel will effectively evaporate off? Thus Ford is right about it being on the evaporation side of things, but wrong about the underlying cause of that.

This would explain why in some cases the problem persists even after replacing (sometimes multiple times) the HPFP and/or injectors. It would also explain why some people have fuel dilution issues suddenly arise after months of problem-free ownership, as perhaps a sensor's calibration gets out of whack.

 

[jblc]

The Ford techs said the issue stemmed from short trips (<7 miles each way; not up to operating temps). Not a surprise, and not a fix.

Short trips or not, it’s not supposed to generate fluid.

I agree -- it's ridiculous.
A vehicle should just work, with no special requirements on driving it.
I've never had a vehicle that only worked if I went through mandatory homework drives.
It seems that Ford has a serious engineering problem, and they're solving it (and their bottom line) by punting the responsibility to the user.

 

[N. J. Jim]

I agree -- it's ridiculous.
A vehicle should just work, with no special requirements on driving it.
I've never had a vehicle that only worked if I went through mandatory homework drives.
It seems that Ford has a serious engineering problem, and they're solving it (and their bottom line) by punting the responsibility to the user.

45 thousand sticker price for a long trip vehicle only. I guess I need an old VW for in town driving!!

 

[txquailguy]

This might sound crazy but I think you need to make a point, as soon as you purchase a Ranger, to really stick you foot into it regularly. I think these motors need to run like the wind to keep them healthy. I keep thinking about the last thing my service advisor told me....."you know these 2.3L are race engines right?" Remember too....of the 5 applications, our Ranger 2.3L is most like the Focus RS 2.3L (very stable platform). Is this issue present in the Focus RS? Just curious....

 

[createaneutron]

Good luck!!! Sounds very familiar!

Well, I shouldn't be surprised, but I am very disappointed in Ford! I just picked up the truck after two days being at the dealership. The end result was Ford telling the dealer:
"Ford does not recognize outside engine oil analysis as valid testing for most any concerns. As with your testing (fuel pressure rail pressures normal) no problems have been identified so the vehicle should be returned to the customer. Things like fuel quality (BTW, I ONLY top tier fuel) driving habits, like frequent short trips to name a couple can lead to high fuel content in engine oil. No repair should be made at this time for oil contamination."
What a joke!! The dealership should have asked me how long my daily commute it before they sold it to me? I only buy top tier gas, but does Ford dictate that as part of the sale? Blackstone is a fly-by night operation? So, my oil smelling like gas is normal and I have to live with it I guess!

 

[N. J. Jim]

Well, I shouldn't be surprised, but I am very disappointed in Ford! I just picked up the truck after two days being at the dealership. The end result was Ford telling the dealer:
"Ford does not recognize outside engine oil analysis as valid testing for most any concerns. As with your testing (fuel pressure rail pressures normal) no problems have been identified so the vehicle should be returned to the customer. Things like fuel quality (BTW, I ONLY top tier fuel) driving habits, like frequent short trips to name a couple can lead to high fuel content in engine oil. No repair should be made at this time for oil contamination."
What a joke!! The dealership should have asked me how long my daily commute it before they sold it to me? I only buy top tier gas, but does Ford dictate that as part of the sale? Blackstone is a fly-by night operation? So, my oil smelling like gas is normal and I have to live with it I guess!

Yeah that's their standard excuse to everyone having trouble, short trips. Never thought with all the technology in today's vehicles I would have to worry about driving habits.

 

[Blue Streak]

This would be a PITA but, anyone with issues have you ever considered checking the oil level monthly as Ford recommends & then keep taking to the dealer for an over full condition. No matter what the level would be don't touch it just take it in. What would they say. ?

 

[kal718]

This might sound crazy but I think you need to make a point, as soon as you purchase a Ranger, to really stick you foot into it regularly. I think these motors need to run like the wind to keep them healthy. I keep thinking about the last thing my service advisor told me....."you know these 2.3L are race engines right?" Remember too....of the 5 applications, our Ranger 2.3L is most like the Focus RS 2.3L (very stable platform). Is this issue present in the Focus RS? Just curious....

I've heard similar things about the Ecoboost engines in general - that they need you to get the revs up periodically. I was thinking about buying a Ranger in a year or two. I don't know now. From what I've seen, no one has reported any actual issues because of this yet but it may be too early to know what the effects will be. Will be watching this thread.

 

[txquailguy]

I've heard similar things about the Ecoboost engines in general - that they need you to get the revs up periodically. I was thinking about buying a Ranger in a year or two. I don't know now. From what I've seen, no one has reported any actual issues because of this yet but it may be too early to know what the effects will be. Will be watching this thread.

i know a lot of folks were posting engine build dates to see if there was any correlation to a production run. Not sure how that panned out. I have a hard time reading through all of the posts. I looked and my engine build date was 28 October 2019. Like I said, my Ranger runs like a beast with no signs of fuel in the oil. I'm keeping close tabs for sure. I'm doing a Blackstone oil analysis soon. Would have done it with the last oil change but the tech forgot to pull a sample.
I am also changing my plugs this week/weekend and I will post pictures of my plugs after 30K miles of pretty aggressive pedal action on my Ranger....lol.

 

[JTDay]

Anyone consider using a thicker oil to combat the viscosity loss? It would require a bit of research to determine which of these meets the new API/ILSAC specs and also the ford specs.

With what I've read on the f150 TSB, some of those owners are getting their PCV valves replaced, ECMs updated, new injectors, new fuel pumps, and are still having the issue of heavy fuel dilution. Pending my own ownership of one of these trucks and if the issue presents itself, I'm going to run a thicker oil and see what happens since I plan on tuning the truck.

 

[createaneutron]

This would be a PITA but, anyone with issues have you ever considered checking the oil level monthly as Ford recommends & then keep taking to the dealer for an over full condition. No matter what the level would be don't touch it just take it in. What would they say. ?

They would probably tell you it was your fault and they couldn't be responsible since you may have added fluids, which caused the issue.

 

[N. J. Jim]

They would probably tell you it was your fault and they couldn't be responsible since you may have added fluids, which caused the issue.

What could be worse for the engine, a quart of gas in the oil or 5W 40 oil to counteract the fuel dilution. We wouldn't have to consider our own remedies if Ford would come up with a fix.

 

[JTDay]

I'm not convinced these engines are that sensitive to viscosity changes especially with the fuel dilution issue and the inherent propensity for TGDI engines to shear oil. Mustang guys are running up to 5w50 and the RS specs 5w50. I think it's too early in the game for me to form my layman's opinion on it, plus I'm only a prospective owner at this point, but if anything fruits and I can provide some actual data and not just my opinion, I'll share it here.

 

[TORQUE]

This is so disappointing to me after reading the issues the Ranger is having! I was going to go see a Ranger this weekend and set to buy one.
But after reading the issues you guys are having I'm really scared and maybe I should just hold off.

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