The Ford 1.5L engine was introduced in 2014 where it became a member of the Ford EcoBoost family. It is a smaller version of the 1.6L engine due to the Chinese vehicles tax, where 1.5L engine cars (or less) were not taxed as much. It shares a couple of features with the 1.6L engine but also has its unique technology.
This engine was employed in the Ford Fusion and Ford Focus models. It is used to power CUVs (utility vehicles, compact and midsize cars, power subcompact). It produces 181 horsepower and is known for its efficiency, but of course, has some disadvantages.
This article explores the Ford 1.5 EcoBoost engine, its reliability, and common problems.
Ford 1.5 Specs
The Ford 1.5L is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with unique features, such as a computer-controlled water pump clutch. It is important to know the background specifications this engine has to offer. It has standard specs that produce reliable power and increase performance. Some of them are listed below:
- Horsepower: 181 horsepower at 6000 RPM
- Displacement: 1498cc
- Maximum Torque: 185 lb-ft at 4320 RPM
- Compression ratio: 10.0:1
- Cylinder Block Material: Aluminum
- Cylinder Head Material: Aluminum
- Bore by Stroke: 79mm by 76.4mm
- Production: 2014 till date
- Configuration: Inline
- Number of Cylinders: 4
- Valves per Cylinder: 4
- Fuel System: Direct fuel injection
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Type of internal combustion engine: Four-stroke, turbocharged
- Vehicle engine orientation: Transverse
- Valvetrain layout: DOHC
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Popular Cars with the Ford 1.5 EcoBoost
You can find the Ford 1.5L engine in different Ford years and models. You can also find this engine in foreign models that produce 148-158 horsepower. Each model has different amounts of horsepower and torque. This engine powers the following vehicles:
- Ford C-Max 2015 till date. The 2015 model comes with a six-speed manual transmission.
- Ford Mondeo 2014 to date comes with a six-speed manual and automatic transmission.
- Ford Escape 2017 – 2019 comes with a six-speed manual and automatic transmission.
- Ford Focus 2014 – 2018.
- Ford Fusion 2014 – 2020.
Common Problems with the Ford 1.5 EcoBoost Engine
Every engine is not perfect; despite the efficiency of the Ford 1.5 EcoBoost engine, there are still some common problems you may have to deal with.
The common problems include clogging of the fuel injectors, cooling system problems, carbon build-up, problems with smoke, and problems with spark plugs and ignition coils. These problems are explained below.
- Clogged fuel injectors
The fuel injectors spray fuel into a car’s engine through electronic controlled valves. Some Ford models with the 1.5 EcoBoost engine usually have clogged injectors. This sometimes can be a result of having a direct injection engine.
One common way to identify if your fuel injector is clogged is to have difficulties starting your car. Rough idle, misfires, and poor fuel usage are also ways to identify this issue. However, poor fuel usage can also be caused by a leaking injector.
You can either buy a new injector or clean the old one to fix this problem. It is advisable to buy a new one as the costs of both solutions are relatively the same. Purchasing a new injector is also a long-term solution, this way, you do not have to bother about this problem for a long while.
- Cooling system problems
This is another issue you are likely to face as a Ford 1.5 owner. The cooling system has some problems in terms of leaks, the coolant can leak into the cylinders, and this can cause misfires, overheating, corrosion, and engine failure. The vehicle could even catch fire.
Overheating is a common problem that usually happens due to the leaking coolant or low coolant levels. You have to turn your vehicle off immediately to avoid further issues during times like this. It is essential to fix the leak afterward and constantly monitor coolant levels.
- Carbon build-up
The Ford 1.5 EcoBoost engine uses a direct fuel injection for fuel delivery, it is a great technology, but it has a disadvantage. Using this fuel delivery method can cause a build-up of excess carbon in the intake valves. Carbon build-up in the valves can cause power loss, misfires, and slow acceleration.
Ford advises against cleaning the intake valves to spoil other vital parts like the bearings and the seals. It is much better to replace the intake valves, which can be pretty costly. When buying the 1.5 engine, try to avoid getting the ones with dirty valves.
- Spark plugs and ignition coils
This is not a demanding problem, but the spark plugs and ignition coils need to be monitored all the time. Any minor problem with these two things can cause many other issues. The plugs and coils need to be in good condition to enjoy total engine efficiency.
Since the 1.5 is a small engine, it will not need a stronger spark, so it will not wear out quickly. Once it does, it is crucial to replace the spark immediately. Once the spark and coils begin to wear out, it can cause misfires, rough idle, low engine performance, etc.
How Reliable is the 1.5 EcoBoost?
It is a very reliable engine; it has not caused many problems for users and does not have many flaws. Apart from the significant problem with the cooling system, which has already been fixed, there is little to nothing to deal with.
It is an efficient but small engine that still produces a lot of power, does not consume much fuel, and gives you a fantastic driving experience.