The 1.0 EcoBoost engine from Ford. The Ford 1.0 EcoBoost inline-3 cylinder engine first appeared in the 2012 Ford Focus, C-Max, and B-Max. It is primarily an international engine, with only a few Focus models in the United States receiving the 1.0L engine. Its small size provides excellent fuel economy and efficiency at the expense of power; the 1.0 EcoBoost only produces 84-140 horsepower.
Despite its low power, the 1.0L inline-3 is a good engine. The Ford 1.0 EcoBoost won six consecutive international engine of the year awards in the sub-1.0L category. The displacement is 999cc, making it a sub-liter engine. Anyway, no engine is perfect, and this is true here as well. This guide goes over Ford 1.0 EcoBoost specs, problems, reliability, and more.
What Vehicles Make Use of the 1.0L EcoBoost?
The Ford 1.0L inline-3 turbo engine is available in the following vehicles:
- Ford Focus from 2012 to the present day
- Ford Fiesta (2013-present)
- Ford C-Max models from 2012 to the present are available.
- Ford B-Max models from 2012 to the present are available.
- Ford Ecosport 2013-present
- Ford Mondeo from 2013 to the present
- Ford Transit Courier (2014-present)
- Ford Puma mHEV from 2019 to present
- Ford Fiesta mHEV from 2020 to present
- Ford Focus mHEV from 2020 to the present
Beginning in 2015, the Ford Focus received the 1.0L EcoBoost engine in the United States. The Focus was phased out in the United States after 2018. According to reports, the 1.0 inline-3 engine accounted for only about 5% of Ford Focus sales in the United States. As a result, this engine is primarily used in foreign markets where compact cars and smaller engines are preferred.
In any case, most 1.0 EcoBoost engines produce 99-140 horsepower. For 2018 and 2019, some Focus models will receive a less powerful 84 horsepower variant. mHEV models, on the other hand, have a belt-driven starter, alternator, and propulsion motor. Some of these models have as much as 153 horsepower.
Ford 1.0 EcoBoost Specifications
The following are the specifications for the 1.0 inline-3 EcoBoost engine:
- Engine : EcoBoost 1.0
- Configuration : Inline-3
- Displacement : 999cc (1.0L) (1.0L)
- Aspiration : Turbo
- Block Composition : Iron Casting
- Material for the Head : Aluminum
- Valvetrain : DOHC with 12 valves
- Stroke x Bore : 71.9mm x 82mm
- Ratio of Compression : 10.0 : 1
- Horsepower : 84-153 HP
- Torque (lb-ft) (lb-ft) : 130-200 TQ
Ford 1.0 EcoBoost engines are designed with efficiency, fuel economy, and low emissions in mind. Few other engines, particularly in the US market, have a displacement of less than one liter. The use of a turbocharger, on the other hand, allows the 1.0L 3-cylinder engine to produce respectable power and torque.
Ford, interestingly, chose a cast iron block. Cast iron is extremely strong, but it is also extremely heavy, which is why cast iron blocks are rarely used nowadays. The material does heat up faster, which aids in the reduction of emissions during cold starts. Otherwise, these specifications are fairly typical for a small, efficient engine.
EcoBoost 1.0 Performance
When it comes to 1.0 EcoBoost performance, there isn’t much to say. If it isn’t clear by now, this isn’t a power or performance engine. The 1.0L engine’s primary goal is to be economical and efficient. The 123 horsepower Ford Focus has a 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) time of 9.4 seconds and a top speed of 129 mph (208 km/h).
By modern standards, overall performance is mediocre. Nonetheless, it provides adequate performance for such a small and efficient engine. Its turbo aspiration also enables some simple aftermarket potential if you’re desperate for more power.
Ford 1.0L Inline-3 Tuning and Modifications
Even simple stage 1 tuning can result in gains of 20-25 horsepower. This is with only a 1.0 EcoBoost tune and no other modifications. If you still want more power, you can add the standard bolt-ons. An intake, high-flow downpipe, and intercooler can significantly improve performance. With these mods and stage 2 tuning, you could see 1.0 EcoBoost horsepower gains of 30-40%.
Add it all up and you could end up with somewhere between 170-180 horsepower. Again, nothing out of the ordinary in today’s world. However, for a small 1.0L engine, it’s quite impressive. That is the capability of turbocharging. Tuning and simple modifications can take the 1.0 EcoBoost engine to the next level.
Problems with the Ford 1.0 EcoBoost Engine
The Ford 1.0 EcoBoost went on to win six consecutive international engine of the year awards. That just goes to show how good the Ford 1.0L inline-3 engine is. However, no engine is perfect, and this engine is no exception. Among the most common Ford 1.0 EcoBoost issues are:
- HPFP Failed
- Carbon Accumulation
- Oil Spills
We’ll go over these 1.0 EcoBoost engine issues in detail throughout the rest of this article. However, before we proceed, we should make a few quick notes. For good reason, we consider the issues listed above to be among the most common. It does not imply that the issues are widespread in the true sense of the term. Instead, these are some of the most common areas where Ford 1.0 EcoBoost problems occur.
1.0L inline-3 turbo engines, on the other hand, provide good overall reliability. The small size and few cylinders also help to keep maintenance costs low. Anyway, at the end of the article, we’ll return to the subject of Ford 1.0 EcoBoost reliability. For the time being, let us move on and discuss the aforementioned issues and failures.
Related : The Ford Mustang EcoBoost Tuning Instructions
1) 1.0 Inline-3 HPFP Errors
The failures of Ford 1.0 EcoBoost HPFP come first. The high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) is required on direct injection (DI) engines. DI requires extremely high pressure, which a standard fuel pump cannot provide. The 1.0L EcoBoost employs a Bosch HPFP, which is similar to those found in many other direct injection engines.
Internally, the Ford 1.0 EcoBoost fuel pump pumps fuel using a small piston. It is then driven by a triangular cam lobe, so each camshaft rotation results in three piston cycles for the HPFP. In essence, the piston inside the pump is moving at breakneck speed. Not only is this prone to failure, but there are a few other critical components of the HPFP. The pressure relief valve and fuel control valve are both built into the pump and could cause problems.
The point is that HPFP failures are not caused by design flaws or other underlying issues. It all comes down to the nature of direct injection. These pumps operate at high speeds and produce extremely high fuel pressures (usually in the ballpark of 2,000 to 5,000psi vs 50-100psi for standard fuel pumps). The HPFP simply takes a lot of abuse and is prone to failure as it ages and accumulates mileage.
Symptoms and Repair for Ford 1.0L HPFP Failure
Look for the following symptoms to rule out 1.0 EcoBoost HPFP issues:
- Long cranked
- Acceleration of hesitating/stuttering
- Idle time
- Inadequate fuel economy
- Engine performance is subpar.
- Engine error codes (DTC)
A long crank, particularly on cold starts, is a common indicator of HPFP trouble. Of course, before assuming that long cranks indicate HPFP issues, consider the basics like the battery. Inadequate fuel flow frequently results in a lot of hesitation or stuttering while accelerating, as well as a rough idle. Common symptoms include poor fuel economy, performance, and HPFP-related fault codes.
Fortunately, the Ford 1.0 EcoBoost fuel pump is simple to replace. Pumps are also significantly less expensive than in the early days of direct injection. Still, if you go to a repair shop, expect the HPFP to cost $400-600.
2) Problems with Carbon Build-Up in Ford 1.0 EcoBoost Engines
Another issue with the 1.0 EcoBoost direct injection system is carbon buildup. We don’t think it’s fair to call carbon buildup a true problem. Rather, it is a disadvantage of direct injection, which is otherwise a fantastic technology. DI improves fuel economy, lowers emissions, and provides more power. It’s almost too good to be true if it wasn’t for the carbon buildup on the intake valves.
In any case, all engines produce some amount of oil blow by. This oil enters the intake tract, where it frequently adheres to the intake ports and valves. Typical port injection sprays fuel into the intake ports. Fuel detergents then remove any remaining oil deposits. Direct injection, on the other hand, sprays fuel directly into the cylinder. As a result, oil deposits begin to harden on ports and valves, resulting in carbon build-up.
As this happens, the accumulation begins to restrict airflow into the cylinders. This can cause a variety of 1.0 EcoBoost symptoms as well as overall performance issues. The good news is that carbon buildup is rarely a serious problem that compromises reliability or longevity. Many Ford 1.0 EcoBoost engines will most likely go their entire lives without being cleaned of carbon. However, it is recommended that it be serviced every 100,000 to 130,000 miles.
Symptoms of EcoBoost Carbon Buildup
Among the possible symptoms of Ford 1.0 EcoBoost carbon buildup are:
- Idle time
- Stuttering/hesitation
- Misfires
- Loss of power, poor performance
Again, the main issue caused by carbon deposits is uneven or insufficient air flow into cylinders. This can result in symptoms such as rough idle, stuttering, or hesitation when accelerating. These symptoms are frequently caused by incorrect AFRs and engine misfires.
The main symptom is power loss, which can be difficult to detect. Carbon accumulates slowly over many years and tens of thousands of miles. The power loss is gradual, making it difficult to detect.
EcoBoost Carbon Cleaning 1.0 and Walnut Blasting
When excessive carbon buildup occurs, walnut blasting is one of the best ways to clean intake valves. This required the use of walnut media shells and a heavy-duty shop vac. The walnut media shells are blasted into the intake ports of the 1.0 EcoBoost. This helps to remove deposits, which are then vacuumed up.
Other, more manual and labor-intensive methods are available. Some people soak the valves in brake cleaner (or other solutions) to remove deposits. In any case, intake valve cleaning is mostly labor and can cost between $300 and $600 at a repair shop.
3) Oil Leaks in the Ford 1.0L EcoBoost Engine
To round out the list of the most common Ford 1.0 EcoBoost issues, we have a fairly generic topic. As a result, we’ll keep this brief in order to keep things moving. This isn’t the first time we’ve written about engine oil leaks. Many different gaskets, seals, o-rings, and other components are used in combustion engines. These components are frequently made of rubber or rubber-like materials. They simply wear down over time, potentially resulting in oil leaks.
That is exactly what the Ford 1.0L inline-3 turbo engine does. Yes, some problems and oil leaks do occur. However, 1.0 EcoBoost oil leaks are frequently caused by wear and tear. Gaskets deteriorate, crack, and oil leaks form. Again, as combustion engines age, this becomes an issue.
The symptoms of Ford 1.0 EcoBoost oil leaks are straightforward. Look for any visible leaks, burning oil odors, or light smoke coming from the engine compartment. The parts are frequently inexpensive seals and gaskets, but labor costs vary depending on the specific leak. Leaks are most commonly found in the oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, and main seals.
Reliability of the 1.0L EcoBoost
Is the Ford 1.0 EcoBoost engine trustworthy? Yes, we believe this engine receives average to above-average reliability ratings. In its early days, the 1.0L EcoBoost didn’t have the best reputation. However, all brand new engines and designs have kinks to iron out. Many of the early 1.0 inline-3 turbo problems were resolved within the first few years. As of now, there are no major design flaws, problems, or reliability issues with the Ford 1.0 EcoBoost.
Of course, one of the keys to owning a dependable EcoBoost is regular maintenance (and the same applies for any engine). Replace all fluids on time, use high-quality oil, and repair any problems that arise. If you do all of this, the Ford 1.0L EcoBoost will be extremely reliable. Luck does play a role, and people occasionally experience random, fluky failures. We have no control over that, and the same can be said for any engine.
To summarize, Ford 1.0 EcoBoost engines are extremely efficient and cost-effective. They’re not high-performance engines, but for a 1.0L displacement, they deliver respectable power and torque. When combined with a high level of dependability, the 1.0L turbo engine is an excellent choice.
