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Ford F-Series: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

2180 messages,  Last post on Nov 26, 2006 at 10:18 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford F-150, Ford F-250, Ford F-350, Ford F-100, Truck

Messages Page 30 of 219

#286 of 2180 F-150 Heater Core by joed17

Jan 08, 2003 (8:44 pm)

My 1998 Ford Had A Minor Electrical fire,When I got It back from the dealer I had Anti-freeze in the cab they said the H-core melted.It was replaced.A week later I had Anti freeze Steaming tru the vents,Dealer said the core was Defective,and they replaced it,He also told me when I picked up the truck I had a leak in the radiator.Well I saw the leak but there was no leak there before I brought it in? I imediately put BARRS radiator stop leak in and the leak stopped.A couple weeks later same problem anti -freeze coming tru vents.Brought it back to dealer and he said core is shot,Cause I used radiator stop and there was not enough pressure and the core blew.They would not fix it.COULD THIS BE??

#287 of 2180 tkoenigt by tkoenigt

Jan 10, 2003 (11:45 am)

Does anyone know of any engine, drive train problems in newer F-150 and 250 trucks?

#288 of 2180 tkoenigt by wpalkowski

Jan 11, 2003 (1:13 am)

By newer do you mean the current body styles of 150, and Superduty's, or just '01s. and '02s. The later models have basically had all the major kinks worked out. Early years exhibited problems below:
 
Early ('98, '99, (early '00?) on the 5.4L gasser, (and I think also on some of the 6.8L V10s) there was phenomina called "Piston Slap" - upon cold start the engine sounded like a diesel. There was some engine tolerance problem, the specifics of which I have forgotten. Ford voluntarily replaced those engines that had it real bad. May still be alot on the road though. Also heard of initial problems with porous engine block castings - leaked oil from odd places think they were all obvious and replaced quickly under warranty. Also reports of folks losing freeze plugs. Aside from early piston slap problems 5.4 is very good engine - future upgrades should make it even better.
 
V10's 99 through '01 had problem called "Exhaust Flutter." Manifold output went into a "Y" pipe that was necked down to fit into rest of exhaust system. At around 2200-2600 rpm exhaust pressures in system would cause this pulsating, raspy, diesely sort of noise. Evidently not harmful, but maddening to listen to in a $35K truck. New Y-pipe is on later models. Many people replaced Y-pipe with aftermarket headers and solve their problem. Small amount of posts on I think #10 spark plug blowing out of block - don't know much about it. Maybe owners did torque them down to proper spec, they're a pain to get out. I have '01 F350 w/ V10 it's gas hungry 10 city, 12-13 highway, but a blast to drive.
 
7.8L Power Stroke Diesel - by and large great engine. Biggest complaint "the Cackle". Ford evidently had Navistar redesign injection system for them. On 1 truck in 10 (don't know that for sure), truck starts making funny cackle noise - symptoms are low mileage and reduced power. Ford doesn't really admit to problem and doesn't have a fix for it. Diehard diesel fans have replaced injection system to solve it, but I don't know particulars.
 
Drive Train: Don't remember too many common problems. Only one coming to mind is 4x4 ESOF - electronic shift on fly. Front hubs would develop vaccuum leak, and they wouldn't engage in 4x4 mode. LOTSA complaints about squeaky front springs in Superduties, along with steering wander problems. Folks who modified their diesels to get 450 hp/600 ft-lbs of torque tended to complain alot about their automatic transmissions grenading but that's their own fault.
  This is all I can remember in my insomniac state.

#289 of 2180 I believe... by mullins87

Jan 12, 2003 (4:00 pm)

Walt pretty much covered it all.

#290 of 2180 Thanks for the help by visplus

Jan 14, 2003 (6:31 pm)

Thanks to wpalkowski and fordtuf for the info. I'll check out the y-pipe heat shields and go from there. Thanks again.

#291 of 2180 overdrive unit? by chrisn8 by akjbmw

Jan 26, 2003 (1:58 pm)

>>#281 of 290 overdrive unit? by chrisn8 Jan 05, 2003 (1:56 pm)
 
I went to www.dogpile.com and typed in "overdrive underdrive". From the results, I found that the two primary sources for trucks seem to be the links below. I was looking to see if there were other options than these that I know about. The mpg difference would likely take long time to break even on the expense. I'm thinking that the major advantage would be the drivability improvements over different terrain. I currently have a 4x4 automatic, making this not a viable option right now. Later with a 2WD, it will be considered.
http://www.gearvendors.com
http://www.usgear.com

#292 of 2180 loud, single pop in rear end by whiskey1

Feb 08, 2003 (9:24 am)

I have a 2000 extended cab 4x4 Lariat. At about 32,000 miles, my truck would make a loud, single popping sound in the rear end when I turned the wheel to the left and the momentum shifted to the right at speeds under 25 mph. Ford had the dealer replace the dope in the chunk. The problem was back in a week. I have 42,000 miles now. The dealer can't duplicate the problem and finds nothing wrong. The truck drives fine, but this loud pop concerns me. The sound seems to come from about where the spare tire is located.
 
Anyone else experienced this problem??

#293 of 2180 by mac24

Feb 08, 2003 (10:25 am)

Do you have an LSD in the rear axle?.......and what exactly was it that Ford had the dealer replace?????????????

#294 of 2180 re: loud, single pop in rear end by wpalkowski

Feb 09, 2003 (4:00 am)

"Ford had the dealer replace the dope in the chunk." Are you saying that dealer replaced fluid in the rear end? Mac24 may be on track - if you have limited slip, sounds like one of the clutch packs is starting to complain and get balky as torque application shifts from one side to another during a turn.
  Have you ever changed oil in your differential before the dealer did it? Believe you must use a synthetic oil as opposed to a dino oil due to heat generation in rear end. Ford puts a synthetic in at factory, don't have manual in front of me, but remember reading that if you used non-synthetic dino oil, it must be changed every 3000 miles or so, whereas synthetic should last at 30K. . If you have a limited slip rear end it requires different viscosity grade of oil with more friction modifiers than an open rear end.
   Other thoughts - is truck lifted? Driveline, and suspension components get added stress, may need to retorque bolts, etc. Could it be rear springs? My front springs make clunks. You could spray some WD-40, or silicone in between tips of spring leaves - might alleviate noise (until next rain storm anyway).

#295 of 2180 loud, single pop in rear end by whiskey1

Feb 09, 2003 (9:31 am)

I do have a limited slip differential, and the dealer did replace the fluid in the rear end at 35,000 miles. The receipt from the dealer for the repair says "DIFF CLUTCHES TEST DROVE FOR NVH AND THEN PULLED REAR DIFF COVER FOR INSPECTION. ALL CHECKED GOOD. PUT NEW OIL IN AND ADDED TWO BOTTLES OF ADDITIVE APPROVED BY FORD. CHECKS GOOD." I've never changed the oil in the differential myself, and I've not had the truck lifted.
 
Changing the fluid in the rear end did not cure the problem. Does this mean the problem is not in the rear end? Do you think I should simply live with the pop, or do I need to have the dealer look at it again?
 
The dealer tells me Ford will take the position that even if the dealer can find the problem and fix it this time, the repair will be on my nickel since the warranty has now expired, even though the dealer's prior attempt to repair the defect during the warranty period was unsuccessful. I'll take that issue up with Ford if I have to.

Messages Page 30 of 219

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