2.3 failures / issues. Post the issues you have had

[LT. DAN ICE CREAM!!!]

'21 Badlands, had to have the turbo replaced at 17,500 miles. If the vehicle never went into limp mode for an ABS issue, it would have never been noticed because it was still producing upwards of 22 PSI of boost under load.

Vehicle is still in the shop for said ABS issue.

An update to my issue: when the turbo started to fail, something got dislodged and was blocking the intercooler, which was causing an airflow restriction. The ABS code was a symptom of the PCM getting bad readings. My dealership was very good throughout the process, letting me know exactly what they did along the way.

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[MC1313]

Better run a leak down test and pressure test because head gaskets are an issue.

approx 20k miles in and no major issues on my end. the only thing I can remotely think of is the coolant needing to be topped off a bit more than I'm used to, but runs strong.

 

[MC1313]

I have had an octane ping since day one (when cold) and last even longer when outside temps are colder. Will eventually go away once car is really warmed up and outside temp gets warmer. Also has a lower engine knocking at times while warming up.

 

[thesocalexplorer]

Better run a leak down test and pressure test because head gaskets are an issue.

One of my first thoughts too. Got mine tested, no issues with either.

 

[AZCoyote]

I’m 500 miles into ownership bought used with 4500 miles. The engine seems to lose its mind if you try to accelerate WOT. Shift 3/4 usually results in same strange stutter like it blew off all the boost then a bad shift then continue.

 

[bf4445]

Nope. It is a concern, and why I only use top tier premium fuel.

you could use a fuel additive which also will help lubricate valve train I've read. Met a guy back in about 2008-9 that i saw putting an additive into his 6.0 tank and i asked him about it. He said he it goes in every tank and he and his brother have been hauling things up and down I-5 for almost 900,000 miles without a major engine issue. He said he had the engine rebuilt a couple of times and blames the longevity on using Lucas every tank. Not sure i believed him but decided to try it out and have been using it ever since. My wive drives 5 mile trip twice a day and was always having problems with carbon build up so i put Lucas in her tank and it fixed it. She wont put it in untill her car begins to run crappy then she gets some from the gallon i keep and puts it in. It definitely keeps the carbon from building up...In fact she may even have that engine in her 2018 Ford Focus Titanium. She loves that car. Lucas is good in gas or diesel powered vehicles.

 

[Brian_B]

you could use a fuel additive which also will help lubricate valve train I've read.

The the older 2.3 is DI - fuel doesn’t touch the valves. The newer MY25 2.3 is dual injection so it might help there.

 

[bf4445]

what rpm

I’m 500 miles into ownership bought used with 4500 miles. The engine seems to lose its mind if you try to accelerate WOT. Shift 3/4 usually results in same strange stutter like it blew off all the boost then a bad shift then continue.

are you shifti

The the older 2.3 is DI - fuel doesn’t touch the valves. The newer MY25 2.3 is dual injection so it might help there.

It also cleans off carbon deposits which can cause problems like with my wife's car. Cheap insurance

 

[AZCoyote]

what rpm

are you shifti

It also cleans off carbon deposits which can cause problems like with my wife's car. Cheap insurance

I hate the RPM gauge (bar graph ?) so much I didn’t even look to be honest. I assume top of the arc. 4500-5000 I’ll try it again and see. I moved to 91 to see if that is a factor.

10 speeds auto doing its own shifting

 

[Rivers90]

No issues. But I have not had it very long. 2.3 is a very reliable base engine. People who pay more for the v6 want more power, they are not upgrading for reliability.

I am very happy with the turbo 4.

 

[bf4445]

I hate the RPM gauge (bar graph ?) so much I didn’t even look to be honest. I assume top of the arc. 4500-5000 I’ll try it again and see. I moved to 91 to see if that is a factor.

10 speeds auto doing its own shifting

I was thinking you had a stick. Bar graph for a gauge??.....I guess it would work if large enough so you can get the resolution necessary to read accurately.
The symptom you described could be caused by the rpm the shift happened at.....If the tranny shifted at two low an rpm for the current engine load it may cause a issue like you described. If an auto it should be able to adjust the shift point via programming i would think.

 

[AZCoyote]

I was thinking you had a stick. Bar graph for a gauge??.....I guess it would work if large enough so you can get the resolution necessary to read accurately.
The symptom you described could be caused by the rpm the shift happened at.....If the tranny shifted at two low an rpm for the current engine load it may cause a issue like you described. If an auto it should be able to adjust the shift point via programming i would think.

Only reason I’m buying the Ford Performance tune. Shifting that isn’t complete dog poop. Hoping it resolves the main problem.

Bar graph RPM gauge decimal driven. Just WTF.

 

[popo_patty]

65,000 miles on my 2021 2.3. Other then the turbo wastegate sounding like it sticks open sometimes, no issues.
I do regular oil changes and use additive. Premium fuel too.
I’ve had the ProCal FP tune for most of those miles. I run it hard and put it away wet. Tons of dusty, off-road miles. I change my air filter frequently.

 

[EvilJim1971]

23 Heritage Edition 2 door manual, 37k miles and zero issues.

 

[Red Squatch]

23 Heritage manual, my only issue is allowing extra time any time I go out because people still want to talk about it. I never see any other Heritage models so no other Broncos around here look like mine.

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