Explorer Turbo Issues Resolved

I'm having a serious issue with my 2020 Ford Explorer (gasoline engine). It's got about 187000 km on it. The check engine light is on, and the engine feels super weak, especially when I try to accelerate. It’s like the engine is being held back. I'm also hearing a weird whistling noise, and a loud hissing sound when I put my foot down. Sometimes it even stalls when I'm idling! Fuel consumption has gone way up too. Could this be related to the turbo? I was thinking it might be a boost leak somewhere?

4 comment(s)

Sounds rough! I had something similar happen with my Explorer. Same symptoms – loss of power, weird noises, and terrible fuel economy. It might be your boost pressure actuator, also called an electrical bypass valve. If it's defective, the turbo isn't getting the signal to provide the right amount of boost. Is the whistling sound constant, or does it change with engine speed?

The whistling definitely changes with engine speed, gets louder as I accelerate. The hissing too. I don’t know much about turbos but the boost pressure actuator, where is that located and is it something I could check myself?

Okay, the fact that the noise changes with engine speed really points to something turbo-related. Honestly, I wouldn't mess with the actuator myself unless you really know what you're doing. It's kinda buried in there. Better take it to a workshop, they will check if the electrical bypass valve is the problem. In my case it was, and replacing it solved all the issues.

Thanks for the advice! I took it to the shop and you were spot on. Turns out the boost pressure actuator was faulty and needed replacing. Cost me 250€, but the car runs like new again! No more check engine light, power is back, and the weird noises are gone. Really appreciate the help!

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