Never-ending tale of woe F-150

mosseater wrote:

spoon059 wrote:
You know what though... its still cheaper than buying a new truck. If it works for your needs, throwing the occasional $1000 at it isn't that big of a deal. New trucks are $30K plus...

I'm over $5k in the last year and a half. Now how to you feel? I know how I feel. Sad part is, most of it isn't due to the towing or hauling I do, because truthfully, this truck hasn't really been used very hard in comparison to the F150s that see commercial duty every day. Of it's 122,000 miles, I'd estimate no more than 40,000 might be "increased duty", wouldn't call it severe.

I'm not sure what you've replaced for that $5k but I would suggest that it may be time to start thinking about upgrading. If your truck is in good condition and clean it would be an easy sell for a decent buck and then buy something new or newer. If you're close to or making a payment anyway you may as well get something more capable and reliable!

I drove my old 97 F150 past 255,000 miles and had the busted exhaust manifold studs on both sides (#4 and #8). I had the pass side redone for around $400 at a local performance exhaust shop. They did a great job and it quieted down the "tick" significantly.

I knew I had to do the drivers side, as there was still a 'tick' on cold startup, but would stop after a few minutes...

Then I decided I wanted to go into debt again! That's when I got the 13 F150 and haven't looked back since! Sure, it cost $33k, but it only had 56 miles on it and it sure tows my little #5000 TT a whole lot easier than that old 97 did.... And I thought that 97 did okay towing it..

Anyway, I put the amount of money I was willing to spend on the 97 for future repairs for the down payment on the 13 and feel good about it...

I didn't want another 5.4 of any year (especially 04-10)... While it served me well and was a great motor for it's time, I've been very impressed with the little 3.5 V6 I've got.. :)

Good luck!

Mitch

spoon059 wrote:
You know what though... its still cheaper than buying a new truck. If it works for your needs, throwing the occasional $1000 at it isn't that big of a deal. New trucks are $30K plus...

I'm over $5k in the last year and a half. Now how to you feel? I know how I feel. Sad part is, most of it isn't due to the towing or hauling I do, because truthfully, this truck hasn't really been used very hard in comparison to the F150s that see commercial duty every day. Of it's 122,000 miles, I'd estimate no more than 40,000 might be "increased duty", wouldn't call it severe.

You know, I also had the F150 issues, I had an 2004 5.4 4x4 screw HD, I got it to replace my 1990 GMC Jimmy/Blazer with a 5.7, We were moving from a pup to a Trailer. Got the F150 because it was the "Truck of the year" by Motor Trend!
It came with the rear end clunk, had to have new clutches in the rear and buy friction modifier every other year. Had the annoying tick in the motor, dealer said that was a normal sound! Really? For a Diesel maybe!!
When I reached 30K I had the tranny flushed by the dealer,, told me the fluid really needed it!! I was towing a 2500 pound PuP!

At 45K it started making that horrible clatter in the morning that went away after it warmed up, dealer said it was probably cam phaseres, "A common problem with the 5.4" Oh really,, must have forgot to mention that when I handed you $28 grand!!
Said they could replace them,, a two or three day job for $1800..
At 60K I noticed an acceleration stumble, rare but it happened more than once.
Dealer suggested new spark plugs,, I agreed,, he quoted me $450 plus $150 a plug if they broke comming out? Another Common 5.4 issue!!
at 70K friction modifier wasn't lasting very long clunk was now sounding like a grind.
Sold the PUP and got a 23' trailer, 5000lbs loaded,, F150 struggled up the hills really had to put my foot in it,, last straw was a flat tow with 25-35 mph head wind, Engine temp and tranny temps were higher than I wanted for the trip getting there,, Wife an I agreed to move up!
At 73K I traded it in on a year old left over Sierra 2500 Z85 with the 6.0 and six speed!! Couldn't be happier!!

With that being said,, The F150 NEVER Let me down,,it kept going,, but with all of the known issues with that combination of drive train and with NO, I mean "0" support from Ford on KNOWN issues and tsb's I had to go back to the Bow Tie. That wasn't my only Ford ever I have had a few and loved them,, I just feel that Ford dropped the ball after the second body change, from 2004 to 2007 that was the MOST troublesome drive train combo.. Ford did not stand by there customers. And for that I will never go back!

I'd throw a set of aftermarket headers on there before spending 900$ on another manifold fix.

shepstone wrote:
When the manifold studs broke on my 03 5.4 I replaced the manifolds with a set of stainless steel shorty headers . One of the studs had broken off below the surface and I had to build up a bead and weld a nut on it . Its not that bad of a job on the 03 once you take the inner fenders off and then its easy access to the manifolds. The inner fenders are held on with a few bolts and snap fasteners. Done in one day then re torqued the bolts 2 wks later. Made a nice improvement in power and mileage.

Having even a cheap mig welder makes short easy work of this job. Welded nuts onto my studs and with all that heat they backed out like they where installed 5 minutes ago :C

You know what though... its still cheaper than buying a new truck. If it works for your needs, throwing the occasional $1000 at it isn't that big of a deal. New trucks are $30K plus...

I might buy that it's a stud, but I always use an OEM filter and correct oil. I changed the plugs myself last year and it sounds exactlyl like the passenger side manifold that cracked last year. Very pronounced on the drivers side. I'll have to take a closer look tomorrow, but I'm betting it's cracked too. They told me the first one was cam phasers a while back, but it kept getting louder. The mechanic pointed right to the crack (because he's seen them before!) so I know the first one was cracked. They gave me the part and only charged me labor. Wonder if I'll get that deal the second time.

Ouy!

When the manifold studs broke on my 03 5.4 I replaced the manifolds with a set of stainless steel shorty headers . One of the studs had broken off below the surface and I had to build up a bead and weld a nut on it . Its not that bad of a job on the 03 once you take the inner fenders off and then its easy access to the manifolds. The inner fenders are held on with a few bolts and snap fasteners. Done in one day then re torqued the bolts 2 wks later. Made a nice improvement in power and mileage.

wcjeep wrote:
Ford dealer repairs are not always cheap. Good luck.

Are repairs at any dealer for any mfg. 'cheap'?