Ford 2.5 Duratec Reliability – How Durable Is The Legendary Engine?

If you love Ford vehicles, you probably know that one of the most popular engines has been the 2.5 Duratec. This is a legendary engine that has been developed since the 1990s and is still produced by Ford and installed in a couple of popular vehicles. We know this engine for being the most durable engine option for a Fusion and an Escape.

These vehicles have been equipped with many engines, but the most durable, long-lasting, and also problem-free was the 2.5 Duratec. The engine had many different modifications with different horsepower and torque. But all its modifications have been really good. OK, the engine also has its own problems and drawbacks, and today we'll talk about them.

Here's what we are going to tell you about today:

1. Main specs and types of the 2.5 Duratec engine.
2. Durability - how many miles can the engine go?
3. Main issues and problems of the engine?
4. How to ensure the long life of the 2.5 Duratec engine?

Let's get started!

Is the 2.5 Duratec by Ford actually good?

Yes, this engine is really good. If you compare it with, say, 1.5 Ecoboost that was also installed on Escape and Fusion, the comparison will give no chance to the turbocharged engine. The only disadvantage we can think of in this comparison is the gas mileage. But all other features will say that the 2.5 Duratec will win.

The engine block and head are made of aluminum. 4 cylinders and 16 valves are a standard structure. The power of this engine could be different according to the year, the type of car, and some other factors. The timing system is powered by a chain, not a belt. Of course, no turbocharger is offered.

Here are some facts about these engines you would want to know:

• the power can be from 149 to 175 horsepower, the tuning opportunities are also pretty good;
• the engine was usually equipped with a traditional automatic 6-speed transmission;
• the engine has quite a simple construction, it's not expensive to maintain and repair;
• these engines are not very economical, especially in SUVs like Escape with an AWD system;
• you will need 5 liters of Ford 5w30 oil to service the engine, it's very important.

Power and torque are really good. Yes, you will expect to get some more from a 2.5-liter engine, but let's face it, you don't buy a car with the 2.5 Duratec under the hood for sports driving. You will buy this car for family driving, everyday commuting, etc. And the vehicle will easily complete these tasks.

The engine is thought to be very reliable. The average mileage until you will need to repair your engine is around 250 000 miles. But we know vehicles that were fleet cars or taxi cars and they have gone over 400 000 miles with minor repairs and keep on running like new ones. This proves that the engine is really good and long-lasting.

Some explanations on the durability

The 2.5 Duratec engine is pretty durable as you can understand from a previous part of our article. But we have to explain how we count the top mileage and other features when we are talking about how many miles an engine can go.

Actually, every engine can go half-million miles if you repair it, replace the pistons, valves, heads, blocks. But this will be literally another engine in the end. We count the mileage of an engine up to the first expensive repair. So, we see when the 2.5 Duratec engine starts consuming too much oil and needs to be taken apart and repaired. At this point, these engines don't make any sense for driving. Their repair will cost more than you may think.

According to these factors, we claim that the 2.5 Duratec engine has a mileage of 250 000 miles. If you invest some money at this point, it can go another 100 000 miles until the next expensive repair.

The first minor problems start earlier. For example, at 100 000 miles, the timing chain may start failing. It will sound crazy and will need replacement together with some other parts. This service will not be cheap at all. But let's focus on some most popular problems of the Duratec engine.

What are the main problems of the engine?

This section will not be very short, unfortunately. But if we had to talk about the EcoBoost engines in the Escapes, for example, the list of the problems would be much longer. So, every engine has its problems and weak points. And when you know them, it's easier for you to pay attention to these possible problems and to avoid them.

We've investigated the 2.5 Duratec and we've found such popular problems:

1. Oil heat-exchanger problems. Oil leaks are not considered to be very serious problems. But the 2.5 Duratec will bother you much with them. The heat exchanger is not very reliable and will need to be replaced once it fails.
2. Cooling system. Engine cooling is not completely reliable. If you use any other antifreeze type but not original, the pipes of the cooling system will clog and even form rust inside very quickly. We think it's all about the quality of materials.
3. Phase regulator is a very weak spot in this engine. It starts knocking much earlier than the vehicle hits the 100 000-mile mark. And you will need to pay quite a lot to replace or repair this system.
4. A fuel injection system may cause problems. Although it's quite a reliable Ford system, it can be the reason for big expenses. Better control the quality of fuel you use for your vehicle.
5. Oil consumption. The engine may burn some oil and this will not say about any problems with the unit. But when it starts taking too much oil, you should be prepared for an expensive repair session.

Of course, you will need to gradually invest some money into this engine during all your experience of driving a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury car with this type of engine inside. But the investments will pay off. You will only need to keep on servicing the car as it should be serviced to ensure that the engine will live longer.

All problems of the Duratec engine can be solved at any service station. This is a relatively simple engine that is easy to repair. But some breakdowns will still lead to bad consequences with big investments into your engine.

Can you turbocharge the 2.5 Duratec engine?

Yes, you can turbocharge these engines, but they will completely lose their durability and any other important advantages. These engines aren't the most powerful units in the world, but their power is absolutely enough for the tasks of the Fusion and Escape. If you want to take part in sports racing, buy an EcoBoost version of the Fusion and forget about the Escape.

We wouldn't recommend turbocharging this engine. This will take a big advantage from you - the durability and reliability. The turbocharged Duratec will always show many problems and minor issues. What's more, the transmission will fail and need replacement because it's engineered to withstand certain torque.

What should you do to drive your 2.5 Duratec longer?

Engines have some average estimated longevity, but this factor depends on you. If you forget about servicing your engine and you don't think about good oil and high-quality fuel, the engine will not live very long. It will start breaking and failing starting with 70 000 miles or something. But if you love your vehicle and care about it, the mileage of your engine may be much higher than average.

Here's what you should do:

• regular engine maintenance even more often than the manufacturer suggests;
• high-quality oil - original Ford oil is very recommended;
• no high RPMs - be careful with revving up, this engine doesn't like that;
• keep an eye on oil level - a very important part of maintenance;
• pay attention to engine temperature - overheating is one of the popular problems;
• don't experiment with fuel quality.

If you want to drive your vehicle for a long time, you should service it correctly. Otherwise, you will need to repair the engine once it's broken. The average mileage of the 2.5 Duratec engine is estimated taking into account all regular service requirements. If you don't follow them, don't think that your engine will live long.

Final words

Now you know everything about the 2.5 Duratec engine and its durability. This engine is very reliable and it can go approximately 250 000 miles. This is a maximum mileage before some big problems show up. Of course, the mileage will depend on some personal factors.

The engine is quite good and it will not cause many problems during its life. But some minor issues will be there for you to solve all the time. We are sure you will love how this engine goes unless you have owned a more powerful vehicle and got used to some extreme dynamics.