HELP! SHO SMOKING AND RATTLING

[Ryan Brown]

Hi guys I'm new to ford Taurus SHO ecoboost. I'm experiencing shudder and smoking from exhuast pipes (right side majority) along with a rattling noise sounds like turbos. Took it to the dealer and they're telling me I need 2 turbos and an engine! Car has 144k miles and I had read here or another forum that turbos usually go out around 150k. My question is is it possible that I need an engine or just turbos? The tech claim he hears top end noise is why he suggested engine replaced but me and my father heard no such noise only rattling when idle and acceleration we can hear the rattling more. Also know the car has lack of power, when accelerating I can't hear the turbos kick in either. Need help if anyone has experienced similar issues

 

[rubydist]

I would put the turbos on, which apparently are needed, and then see how it runs and how it sounds. It won't hurt anything and would certainly save you a bundle.

 

[SHOdded]

Ditto. Luckily (though still not FREE), turbos have come down in price substantially since inception. Take it to a Lincoln dealer for a second opinion, and/or a trusted mechanic. Labor can be expensive for this repair, so shop around.

What year is your SHO, btw? Possibly the PCV system may have contributed to this problem. Be sure to have the intercooler and all turbo piping checked thoroughly for pooling oil. May need to update the valve cover also with the newer design to combat PCV issues. Take a look into the cylinders, see if hydrolock might be an issue also, before starting up the engine after the new turbos are installed.

 

[mmh64]

I have never seen a reputable mechanic use only listening as a diagnostic tool. This is one but there are much more extensive tests to determine a bad engine. Do yourself a favor before buying all kinds of parts for this teck to install. Get another diagnosis as mentioned above.

 

[Ryan Brown]

Thanks guys for the quick response, it's a 2010 taurus sho and I kinda felt I should get a second opinion because like I explained we heard no top end noise just the white smoke (that smells like oil) and rattling when tapping the accelerator idling. I just couldn't understand why he would recommend replacing the entire engine! With no engine knocking or blown heads. But I'm new to ford so this is most certainly unfamiliar territory for me.

 

[SHOdded]

Might be based on oil and coolant having mixed and circulated through the engine, corrupting gaskets, sealing surfaces, metallurgy, etc. Easy enough to check for.

Didnt happen right after a car wash by any chance? Seems to be a popular origin point.

 

[Ryan Brown]

No coolant and oil mixture at all. We've check all fluids they're fine car is quiet besides the rattling and smoking as I mentioned. No engine noise what so ever so I really don't see why he told us engine needed to be replaced. No sweet coolant smell from exhuast just burnt oil carbon smell. I may start with the turbos I guess. But now I'm just worried since he claimed it needs engine replaced as well as the needed turbos.

 

[SHOdded]

Time for a second opinion, clearly! Don't worry till you have confirmed facts

 

[PaulC]

Your dealer's tech is certainly taking a conservative approach to the problem, given that an engine and turbo replacement would cure virtually any engine issue. My advice? Try not to let the SHO's tires chirp too pointedly when you leave the dealership lot and drive to another dealer.

 

[rubydist]

SHOdded is right on the money with something I should have suggested: take it to a Lincoln dealer for your second opinion.
There are two main reasons for this:
1. The Lincoln tech is much more likely to be thoroughly familiar with the EcoBoost engine, since a large percentage of Lincoln vehicles have that.
2. The Lincoln dealer is less likely to "upsell" service v. just doing what needs done. We get people in all the time for service who the Ford dealer down the road told that they needed thousands of dollars in repairs but they really needed fairly minor work done.

 

[SHOdded]

To be fair, I was only pointing out what you have been saying for quite some time, Fred. This particular piece of advice has already helped a few SHO folks that I know of

 

[Ryan Brown]

Yea a second opinion I will get. Sounds like that ford tech may have exaggerated a bit about the engine top noise. I almost thought I heard a noise but I was probably just listening too hard for some sort of sound. Again I only get the sound of something spinning that sounds like it's bearings are shot and the white smoke everytime I press the accelerator. I even drove it again and when I'm accelerating I hear that freaking spinning sound rattling and no boost as if the turbos aren't working at all. Now could the turbos cause engine damage possibly?

 

[rubydist]

YES! get it fixed before a turbo grenades and your engine ingests the pieces - in that case you will be on the hook for a new engine!

 

[Aeterna]

Do and oil change, grab a nice magnet and hold it out while the oil is draining. See if you get any metal shavings. That will give you a hint if the engine is having problems. Also, if your turbos are taking a shit dont drive a lot. If one grenades you will def need a new motor lol.

 

[SHOrod]

Throughout this process has anyone pulled the spark plugs to make sure this isn't just due to a couple of bad spark plugs and a bad misfire? I'd expect the exhaust to be a bit on the gray side if it was a misfire, but still, pulling spark plugs are easy to get to, inexpensive if they are a bit worn, and with 144k on the engine they could certainly be due to be replaced for the 3rd or 4th time. Also make sure there isn't a crack in the intake air hose between the MAF sensor and the throttle body, or a loose connection there. Start with the simple, free stuff if you haven't already.

-Rod

 

[SHOdded]

Oh yeah, I forgot all about the cracked spark plug insulator in the early MY's. If the plugs in there are SP528's, time to get SP534's installed.

 

[Josh Gilles]

I would check injectors... 1 or 2 stuck open injectors can create a lot of smoke and the car will run like crap. It can also make noise that can mimic knock.

 

[SilverSH0]

Also make sure there isn't a crack in the intake air hose between the MAF sensor and the throttle body, or a loose connection there.

FYI, there is no MAF sensor on these cars as they use a MAP sensor. A crack between the filter and turbo won't do much except allow dirty air into the engine (which isn't good). But a crack after the turbo would certainly leak boost and most likely cause a CEL.

 

[SHOrod]

FYI, there is no MAF sensor on these cars as they use a MAP sensor.

Ooops, yeah, I should have remembered that, especially since I recently installed a 3 bar MAP sensor.

-Rod

 

[Ryan Brown]

Well guys I took it to another shop here in Columbus Ohio (not a certified Lincoln or ford shop) but it says their techs are certified, anyways they're saying it has an blown head gasket (replacement of engine now) they said they did a chemical test of some sort and I'm guessing this is how they came up with their solution. So I guess I'll be replacing the entire engine but I'm still confused because we heard no engine noise and no smell of coolant from exhuast only the oil/carbon smell. The tech also said the turbos being shot wouldn't cause the car to run rough, I would just be experiencing no boosting. Idk im kinda confused now. Smh