What’s wrong with my 2018 Ford Escape and its Ecoboost engine?

I’m so confused about what’s happening with this car. It keeps losing coolant, but I never see any leaks under it.

I’ve checked the oil several times, and there’s no milky texture or weird consistency. I’ve been keeping up with maintenance since we bought it—regular oil changes, always keeping it full of gas, and swapping out the air filters at every oil change.

There’s no check engine light, but now there’s a ticking noise like a lifter issue. It’s driving me nuts, especially since this is the only vehicle we have for the whole family.

Any ideas on what could be causing this?

Have you checked out other posts about Ford Ecoboost coolant issues? A lot of people have had similar problems. Look out for white smoke from the exhaust or engine misfires. Hope you figure it out soon.

Both the 1.5 and 2.0 Ecoboost engines are known for something called ‘coolant intrusion.’ This happens when coolant gets burned in the combustion chamber instead of leaking outside or mixing with the oil.

Here are the relevant documents:

If you have the 1.5 engine, check with Ford to see if your VIN qualifies for their extended warranty (21N12), which covers a one-time short block replacement for up to 7 years or 84,000 miles.

@Wylder
If they replace the short block, does that fix the problem permanently? Or could it come back?

Jet said:
@Wylder
If they replace the short block, does that fix the problem permanently? Or could it come back?

The replacement short block has an updated design that should prevent the issue from happening again.

@Wylder
I had mine replaced in 2023, but I’m still nervous about driving it long distances.

You should pull the spark plugs and check for signs of coolant in the cylinders. That’s a likely cause, but you’ll want to confirm it. If you have the 1.5L engine, it might still be covered under Ford’s extended warranty, but time is running out since it’s only good for 7 years or 84,000 miles. If you’re slightly over the mileage, Ford corporate might still cover part of the cost.

Another Ecoboost bites the dust. My wife’s 2018 with the 1.5L had the same issue—losing coolant before the intrusion was confirmed. Take it to the dealer. They’ll probably recommend a short block replacement.

You might have a small leak near the exhaust that’s burning off the coolant before it drips. Does it smell like burnt coolant?

I had a similar problem with another car. When I stuck my head under the hood, I could hear a sizzling noise where it dripped onto the exhaust manifold.

When you say it’s losing coolant, is the reservoir completely empty? I’ve had some white smoke on and off, but my coolant reservoir doesn’t seem to drop.

Vern said:
When you say it’s losing coolant, is the reservoir completely empty? I’ve had some white smoke on and off, but my coolant reservoir doesn’t seem to drop.

The reservoir isn’t completely dry, but it’s slowly losing coolant. I check it often to make sure it stays topped off.

@Milan
If it’s coolant intrusion, you won’t see the classic ‘milkshake’ oil because the coolant doesn’t mix with the oil. Instead, it leaks into the cylinders and burns away.