Ford 3.5L V6 (Cyclone & EcoBoost)

Ford 3.5L V6 (Cyclone & EcoBoost) — every model and year that used this engine (18 models, 2007–present), based on NHTSA VIN build data, with links to prices and reliability.

Covers both the naturally aspirated Cyclone and the twin-turbo EcoBoost 3.5 used in the F-150 and Expedition.

3.5L · 6 cylinders · 18% of builds flagged turbo · seen in 18 models, 2007–2027

By the numbers

Output range 262–647 hp (median 310 hp). Gasoline: 95%. Flex-fuel: 5%. Based on 2,263 decoded NHTSA VIN build sheets.

About this engine family

The Cyclone engine, also branded Duratec, is Ford Motor Company's latest DOHC family of gasoline V6 engines introduced in 2006. The Cyclone succeeds Ford's previous V6 engine families, including the Canadian-built Ford Essex engine introduced in 1982, the Ford Vulcan engine introduced in 1985, the original Duratec V6 introduced in 1993, and the Ford Cologne V6 engine, whose design dates back to 1962. The first version of the Cyclone engine, a 3.5 L V6, appeared in the 2007 Ford Edge and the Lincoln-badged luxury variant, the Lincoln MKX, as well as the Lincoln MKZ.

Mazda badges its versions of the Cyclone MZI, as it did with its versions of the Duratec V6.

In detail

The Duratec 33 is a downsized version of Duratec 35 with both port and direct injection starting in 2018 model year for Ford F-150, serving as the new base engine. The Duratec 35 displaces with a bore and stroke. Due to packaging differences in transverse (FWD) applications, the water pump is relocated to the valley behind the timing cover and is driven by the timing chain. The 3.5 L engine will fit into any engine bay the smaller Duratec 3.0 L will, and replaced it in some applications (notably the Ford Taurus) in the 2008 model year.

Production began in 2006 for the Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, and Lincoln MKZ. Official SAE certified engine output is and on 87 octane gas. This is a substantial upgrade in power from the Duratec 30 and bested all comparable 87 octane-rated V6 engines at the time of its launch. For 2011, the 3.5 L received Ti-VCT, helping to boost output to. The 3.5 L's highest output to date is . This version was used in the redesigned 2011 Ford Explorer.

The engine is assembled at Lima Engine in Lima, Ohio, with expansion planned in Cleveland Engine Plant 1. The 3.5 L was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2007. It is a twin-turbocharged, gasoline direct injected (GTDI) version of the 3.5 L. This engine is used in the 2013-2019 Ford Explorer Sport, 2010-2019 Ford Taurus SHO, 2014-2019 Ford Flex Limited EcoBoost, 2010-2019 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost, and 2010-2016 Lincoln MKS, and is optional for both the 2014-2019 Ford Police Interceptor sedan and Ford Police Interceptor Utility, which are based on the Taurus and Explorer, respectively.

The Duratec 37 is a version of the Cyclone V6 intended to power heavier or premium vehicles. The 3.7 L's additional displacement comes from an increase in bore diameter, stroke remains identical to the 3.5 L. Ford Power Products sells this engine as the CSG-637 for industrial uses starting in mid-2015, which replaced the 4.2 L Essex and is manufactured under license by Engine Distributors Inc. A Hiroshima, Japan-assembled Mazda MZI 3.7 was installed in the 2008 Mazda CX-9 and was the first 3.7 L Cyclone V6 to see production.

The first Ford application of the 3.7 L was the 2009 Lincoln MKS. A few days before the 2009 Los Angeles International Auto Show, Ford unveiled a new version of the 3.7 L for the 2011 Mustang, making it the first Duratec-badged V6 since the Lincoln LS to be used in a production rear-wheel drive car. Due to packaging differences in transverse applications, the water pump was relocated to the valley behind the timing cover and is driven by the timing chain.

This version of the features twin independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT), delivers highway mileage in the Mustang, and was the first production engine to deliver in excess of. Water pumps on transversely mounted 3.5 L V6, 3.5 L EcoBoost V6, and 3.7 L V6 engines have a tendency to fail and potentially ruin the engine when they do. The water pumps on these engines are internally mounted and driven by the timing chain.

As a result, when they fail, antifreeze is dumped directly into the crankcase, mixing with engine oil and potentially damaging the head gaskets and connecting rod bearings. Many of these water pump failures occur without warning and repairs often cost thousands of dollars, as the engine needs to be disassembled or removed from the vehicle to access the water pump. In some cases, the engine needs to be replaced outright.

A class-action lawsuit was started against Ford as a result of this issue, but it was dismissed and no recall was given. All longitudinally mounted versions of the 3.3, 3.5, 3.5 EcoBoost, and 3.7 V6 use an external water pump.

Source: Wikipedia — Ford Cyclone engine, CC BY-SA.

Models that used this engine

Model Years with this engine Fuel VIN builds seen
TRANSIT 2015–2027 Gasoline 1,313
F-150 2011–2027 Gasoline 238
EXPEDITION 2015–2027 Gasoline 136
EXPLORER 2011–2019 Gasoline 136
EXPEDITION MAX 2015–2027 Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) 105
EDGE 2007–2018 Gasoline 99
TAURUS 2008–2019 Gasoline 96
FLEX 2009–2019 Gasoline 74
GT 2017–2022 Gasoline 17

Engine usage derived from NHTSA VIN build data (displacement + cylinder configuration). Model links lead to prices, generations and reliability.

For sale with this engine