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2.3 Ecoboost: Changes made for Ranger duty

Rick Astley

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Here is an excellent article created before the 5g Ranger launched which documents the primary changes made to the 2.3t engine for Ranger duty. If you recall, at the time the 2.3 was also found in Mustang and Focus RS (ignoring the more pedestrian applications for the block).

As we get towards Bronco release time, this is a great article to read and understand a bit more about the inner workings and engineering behind the 2.3 for Ranger. Also allowing us to track what modifications were made as they transition the motor to Bronco duty. Hopefully there are sufficient changes to warrant another article in this detail for Bronco.

Original story on Road & Track:
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-shows/detroit-auto-show/a15840269/ford-focus-rs-ranger-engine/

The story was re-posted on Ranger5g, albeit with insufficient citing of sources.
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/2019-ranger-2-3l-ecoboost-engine-intro.1018/
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bytheway

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Doesn't the Bronco 2.3 use an electric fan in lieu of the mechanical fan on the Ranger?
 

Thed

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"The EGR system was likely implemented to assist with emissions by pumping hot air into the intake to richen up the fuel mixture as needed."

Wrong. That's not what makes EGR work. Inert gas are the words they're looking for. Inserting inert gas into the combustion chamber reduces the temperature of the combustion event. This, in turn, reduces NOx and CO2 emissions but at the cost of increasing PM (particulate matter AKA soot, but that's not so much of a worry on gasoline cars).
 

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AUUUUUUGH, dammit Ford *eyeroll*

What numpty decided that THIS was a good idea??!
Ford Bronco 2.3 Ecoboost: Changes made for Ranger duty 1613093741601


Oil filter.

Sideways.

oN ThE bAcK oF tHe EnGiNe.

Put that s**t on the top like every one else has for the last 15 years! (Audi, BMW, Subaru...)

Even better if you build the filter as a cartridge with a self-closing valve in it that closes when you unscrew it, so you know...no oil pours out from a simple oil change
 

Used2jeep

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AUUUUUUGH, dammit Ford *eyeroll*

What numpty decided that THIS was a good idea??!
1613093741601.png


Oil filter.

Sideways.

oN ThE bAcK oF tHe EnGiNe.

Put that s**t on the top like every one else has for the last 15 years! (Audi, BMW, Subaru...)

Even better if you build the filter as a cartridge with a self-closing valve in it that closes when you unscrew it, so you know...no oil pours out from a simple oil change



Hate spilling oil...
 

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Chuck_Ruck

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AUUUUUUGH, dammit Ford *eyeroll*

What numpty decided that THIS was a good idea??!
Ford Bronco 2.3 Ecoboost: Changes made for Ranger duty 1613093741601


Oil filter.

Sideways.

oN ThE bAcK oF tHe EnGiNe.

Put that s**t on the top like every one else has for the last 15 years! (Audi, BMW, Subaru...)

Even better if you build the filter as a cartridge with a self-closing valve in it that closes when you unscrew it, so you know...no oil pours out from a simple oil change
Aftermarket filter relocation?
Anybody?
 

Thed

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AUUUUUUGH, dammit Ford *eyeroll*

What numpty decided that THIS was a good idea??!
Ford Bronco 2.3 Ecoboost: Changes made for Ranger duty 1613093741601


Oil filter.

Sideways.

oN ThE bAcK oF tHe EnGiNe.

Put that s**t on the top like every one else has for the last 15 years! (Audi, BMW, Subaru...)

Even better if you build the filter as a cartridge with a self-closing valve in it that closes when you unscrew it, so you know...no oil pours out from a simple oil change
Having worked at an oil change station many moons ago, my favorites were always side-mounted spin-ons. Crack it loose and it drains straight down, usually right next to the drain plug.

I love it.
 
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Rick Astley

Rick Astley

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What numpty decided that THIS was a good idea??!
1613093741601.png


Oil filter.

Sideways.

oN ThE bAcK oF tHe EnGiNe.

Put that s**t on the top like every one else has for the last 15 years! (Audi, BMW, Subaru...)

Even better if you build the filter as a cartridge with a self-closing valve in it that closes when you unscrew it, so you know...no oil pours out from a simple oil change
For the record, oil filters on the top of the engine have a whole host of other issues you have to engineer for.

And very few manufacturers use high-mounted filters for a reason. Generally they are those manufacturers with boxer engine layouts, or those who like to have their block ahead of the front axle along with a massive transmission/transfer case configuration. Oh. Those would be the OEM's you mentioned. Throw in Porsche as well, but they fall into the "Boxer"category.

I should also point out that the oil filter is on the drivers side of the block, approximately above the steering arm. But you knew that from prior research.

Aftermarket filter relocation?
Anybody?
You've not spent much time working on a Ranger, apparently. The oil filter is located up out of harms way. It would take a miracle shot for something to damage the filter where it's at.


Having worked at an oil change station many moons ago, my favorites were always side-mounted spin-ons. Crack it loose and it drains straight down, usually right next to the drain plug.

I love it.
Well you're in luck, should you decide to go back to the old j.o.b. Ford thought of that. All items in yellow below are the pour spout and oil flow direction channels. You actually put the drain pan behind the front axle and, based upon the three oil changes I did on the 2019 Ranger, will collect 100% of the oil coming out of the canister drain and divert it neatly into the pan.

It takes all of 1 (ONE) blue paper towel to clean up after an oil change on Ranger. Truly Ford put a lot more engineering time into the oil filter location than the folks above who just got out of their Liberal-Arts-Oil-Filter-Housing-Engineering masters programs.



https://www.therangerstation.com/ra...3-ecoboost-oil-change-instructions-from-ford/


Not sure why people tend to become infatuated with oil filters, it was a hot topic on the Ranger forums after that D-bag article stating you had to remove a wheel to get to the filter.

ford_oil_change-5[1].jpg
 
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Thed

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For the record, oil filters on the top of the engine have a whole host of other issues you have to engineer for.

And very few manufacturers use high-mounted filters for a reason. Generally they are those manufacturers with boxer engine layouts, or those who like to have their block ahead of the front axle along with a massive transmission/transfer case configuration. Oh. Those would be the OEM's you mentioned. Throw in Porsche as well, but they fall into the "Boxer"category.




You've not spent much time working on a Ranger, apparently. The oil filter is located up out of harms way. It would take a miracle shot for something to damage the filter where it's at.




Well you're in luck, should you decide to go back to the old j.o.b. Ford thought of that. All items in yellow below are the pour spout and oil flow direction channels. You actually put the drain pan behind the front axle and, based upon the three oil changes I did on the 2019 Ranger, will collect 100% of the oil coming out of the canister drain and divert it neatly into the pan.

It takes all of 1 (ONE) blue paper towel to clean up after an oil change on Ranger. Truly Ford put a lot more engineering time into the oil filter location than the folks above who just got out of their Liberal-Arts-Oil-Filter-Housing-Engineering masters programs.

Ford Bronco 2.3 Ecoboost: Changes made for Ranger duty ford_oil_change-5[1]


https://www.therangerstation.com/ra...3-ecoboost-oil-change-instructions-from-ford/


Not sure why people tend to become infatuated with oil filters, it was a hot topic on the Ranger forums after that D-bag article stating you had to remove a wheel to get to the filter.
Just like the Modular V8 Ford Trucks (had a tray that ran the oil down to just in front of the crossmember). Perfect.
 

HotdogThud

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Truly Ford put a lot more engineering time into the oil filter location than the folks above who just got out of their Liberal-Arts-Oil-Filter-Housing-Engineering masters programs.
Hopefully more than they put into the spark plugs near the firewall on older F-150's, Fuel tanks on Pintos, or tire choices on Explorers? Or more than VW/Audi did on their timing chain tensioners on every 2.0T for the last 15 years? or more than BMW has on rod bearings in M motors? Manufacturers make boneheaded moves all the time.

There's probably a perfectly legit engineering reason to put it back there near the bottom, just as there are equally good reasons to put it on the top of the block. I didn't get a Liberal-Arts-Oil-Filter-Housing-Engineering Masters, I only have my PhD in Underwater-Basket-Weaving-Oil-Filter-Housing-Engineering so far. The mistakes of my youth always come back to haunt me.

It's more that this kind of thing isn't worthy of Engineering Porn (SFW) and is a lot more worthy of Just Rolled Into The Shop
 

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Rivers90

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There are lots of mustang 2.3 ecoboost aftermarket options, I wonder if much of it will overlap with the bronco 2.3?

Mustang owners are happy with the 2.3 that is a good sign for the bronco.
 

Blksn955.o

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I hate...the oil filter setup on our old 09 Fusion 2.3 (old 2.3 not the new ones of course). It was a plate with a cartridge/filter element pushed on a bung inside. You had a stupid small flap you could attempt to use or you could take off the plastic skid plate completely and then deal with the plate that even after draining still had some oil in it to splash all over.

I too also worked at a quick lube place at the end of my high school years and for a year or so after when I just started knocking out my first two years at a local community college. I hated the plate setups the most. I would almost rather replace a old auto trans filter than those...they just got my nerves.
 

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There are lots of mustang 2.3 ecoboost aftermarket options, I wonder if much of it will overlap with the bronco 2.3?

Mustang owners are happy with the 2.3 that is a good sign for the bronco.
The 2.3 in my wife's Focus RS is an awesome engine. It's also mated to one of the nicest shifting manuals I have ever driven.
If the Bronco combination is 75% as good I think people who go that route are going to be very happy.
 

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The 2.3 in my wife's Focus RS is an awesome engine. It's also mated to one of the nicest shifting manuals I have ever driven.
If the Bronco combination is 75% as good I think people who go that route are going to be very happy.
This is what I like to hear. With out any nonford people driving the Bronco other fords with the 2.3 is as close to a test drive as anyone can get right now.

Any other impressions of the 2.3 RS with the manual that you would like to share?

How long has she had the RS? Any problems?

Thank you
 

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It's a 2017 so it's going on 4 years. We have had zero issues.
There was a recall on the engine as some of them had a NON RS focus head gasket installed on them. That was a big goof but once Ford was aware of this, they notified all owners and we worked with our local dealer and got it swapped out. We had no issues with the incorrect part and it's been 3 years since the correct one was put on with no problems.
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