Which Engine is Easier for DIY maintenance, 2.3 or 2.7?

[Surfnbike]

My plan is to do all my own maintenance when I get a Bronco next year, and one factor I need to take into consideration is routine maintenance like oil changes and spark plugs. How hard is it to replace spark plugs and do other basic maintenance on these engines? Is there a discernable difference, or it is pretty much the same, being that both of these engines have a ton of modern wires, hoses, clips, sharp corners, et cetera. I know I am going to miss the old days of easily swapping plugs on my '05 Tacoma and the satisfaction I got thinking to myself how I saved a bunch of money doing it easily all by myself!

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[dgorsett]

2.3 easy peazy. Conventional oil plug and filter, plugs should be easy to get to, but I won't look to close until near 100K.

 

[Aonarch]

Inline 4 cylinder single turbo in a longitudinal lay out. vs twin turbo V6...

Pretty easy to decide which one is easier.

Either way the 2.7l is easy to DIY maintenance regardless. The 2.7l oil change is easier than the 2.3l.

 

[RagnarKon]

If you are talking strictly oil changes... then the 2.7L is FAR easier than the 2.3L. The oil filter location in the 2.3L is a bit of a pain to get to, while the 2.7L is ezpz.

Everything else on the 2.3L is easier. Not that the 2.7L is particularly complicated, but the 2.3L is absolutely easier overall. It is also a much more common engine that is used in a wide variety of Ford vehicles, and also available as a crate engine, so there is a fair amount of knowledge regarding it in the wider automotive community.

 

[Aonarch]

If you are talking strictly oil changes... then the 2.7L is FAR easier than the 2.3L. The oil filter location in the 2.3L is a bit of a pain to get to, while the 2.7L is ezpz.

Everything else on the 2.3L is easier. Not that the 2.7L is particularly complicated, but the 2.3L is absolutely easier overall. It is also a much more common engine that is used in a wide variety of Ford vehicles, and also available as a crate engine, so there is a fair amount of knowledge regarding it in the wider automotive community.

I'd love a Monutune built 2.3l in my Ranger with Baja long travel... One can dream.

 

[Surfnbike]

If you are talking strictly oil changes... then the 2.7L is FAR easier than the 2.3L. The oil filter location in the 2.3L is a bit of a pain to get to, while the 2.7L is ezpz.

Everything else on the 2.3L is easier. Not that the 2.7L is particularly complicated, but the 2.3L is absolutely easier overall. It is also a much more common engine that is used in a wide variety of Ford vehicles, and also available as a crate engine, so there is a fair amount of knowledge regarding it in the wider automotive community.

Wow thanks for that video. I think for the oil change alone the 2.7L would be better because I'll spend most of my time changing oil.

 

[Ducati1098]

Neither one are particularly difficult for regular maintenance. Like @RagnarKon said, the 2.7 is easier to change the oil on. As far as spark plugs, the 2.3 would be slightly easier just mainly for the fact that there are 2 less. The 2.7 isn’t very difficult either though.

Anything past normal maintenance like that, the 2.3 will be far easier to work on.

 

[Aonarch]

Neither one are particularly difficult for regular maintenance. Like @RagnarKon said, the 2.7 is easier to change the oil on. As far as spark plugs, the 2.3 would be slightly easier just mainly for the fact that there are 2 less. The 2.7 isn’t very difficult either though.

Anything past normal maintenance like that, the 2.3 will be far easier to work on.

Two more plugs, plus a V configuration. I haven't done a plug change, but it doesn't look hard on the 2.7l.

 

[Ducati1098]

Two more plugs, plus a V configuration. I haven't done a plug change, but it doesn't look hard on the 2.7l.

The V configuration doesn’t really change anything. It’s just as straightforward as the 2.3. Nothing really in the way.

 

[Squatch]

I can't believe all the 2.7L propaganda!!!

You plastic-panners are out of your minds.

Get an oil filter cap wrench and a long socket extension from Harbor Freight for CHEAP!

Just turn your wheels hard right before you park when you want to do the oil change and easy peasy.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Compared to the Wrangler 3.6L, the sparkplug changes on either of the Bronco engines is a breeze. The oil change on the 2.7L is easy--IF you replace the drain plug with a Ronin so that you do not have to remove the skid plate.

 

[dgorsett]

Just me I guess, but I'd rather deal with the canister type filter and metal pan and plug the 2.3 than the 1940s tech cartridge type on the 2.7 with o rings et al..and the 21st century plastic pan and plug .

 

[PrepVet]

...pushrod V8...

 

[HotLap]

Compared to the Wrangler 3.6L, the sparkplug changes on either of the Bronco engines is a breeze. The oil change on the 2.7L is easy--IF you replace the drain plug with a Ronin so that you do not have to remove the skid plate.

^^THIS^^. Installed Ronin 1st oil change, easy oil changes! Also, changing the oil filter element while standing is pretty sweet…

 

[Tricky Mike]

Just me I guess, but I'd rather deal with the canister type filter and metal pan and plug the 2.3 than the 1940s tech cartridge type on the 2.7 with o rings et al..and the 21st century plastic pan and plug .

I feel the same. Never been a fan of cartridge filters.

I find the filter to be very easy to replace from underneath, I don't try to go through the wheel well.

There is gobs of room all around the 2.3, it's going to make any future work a breeze. Not that there's much to expect to go wrong, and certainly not phasers.

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