Have you driven a Ford lately?

962 Views 41 Replies 19 Participants Last post by bobg450, Nov 25, 2012

bobg450

Discussion Starter · Jul 2, 2010 (Edited)

My '05 F150 w/5.4 triton V8 developed exhaust manifold leaks over the past 2 months. This is a very common and major problem on these engines. Dealer wants $1K-3K,maybe more, for the repair. A FoMoCo mechanic/lifelong friend and myself have been working the last 3 nights and have gotten the P/S manifold off and fortunately only broke one stud (only 53K miles). The F150 is very compact and difficult to work on compared to the 250 & 350.

My recommendation: take advantage of the "Trade your Ride" Ford promo going on immediately if you have manifold leaks. The steel studs get stuck in the aluminum heads, the nuts are rusted solid, and the studs (small diameter- about 6mm or 1/4 -20 size) are more likely to break off as you approach 100K. Really, really tough job.

But wait, there's more- the sparkplugs are also a common and major problem. They get stuck and break off. Ford has a special extraction tool specifically created to deal w/this problem. Knock the remainder of the porcelain down into the cylinder, thread the metal remainder of the plug, and insert extraction tool. tool. If that doesn't work, it's heli coil time. Oh yeah, and don't forget to get ALL that shit out of the cylinders(s).

Very poor design, very, very disappointed in an otherwise nice truck.
Have you driven a Ford lately? Not for two weeks. Not mine.

1 - 20 of 42 Posts

dan-the-kid

· #2 · Jul 2, 2010

Don't ford trucks also have massive amounts of piston slap too?

Sad since their new sedans seem to be doing quite well.

But I never really was a big fan of ford.

bobg450

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 2, 2010

dan-the-kid said:
Don't ford trucks also have massive amounts of piston slap too?

Sad since their new sedans seem to be doing quite well.

But I never really was a big fan of ford.

Don't think so, but the engineers deserve a dope slap.

Sleepy7666

· #4 · Jul 2, 2010

I really like the new Focus and Taurus. I test drove both last week and damn I like. I dd'd for this cute girl at college and she had an 07 Fusion and damn that car would make a nice Daily Driver.

christian900se

· #5 · Jul 2, 2010

I test drove the new Mustang 5.0 with the 6 speed manual and that car was an absolute blast to toss around. The quality of the interior is much better than either the Camaro or the Challenger and the car just feels light and nimble when driving. That stonking 5 liter V8 is unbelievable, it just makes me never want to drive my car ever again.

I believe that as a company, Ford's management and business model is much more lucrative and sustainable than GM and especially Chrysler and is deserving of the top spot for domestic auto makers.

fiveiron9688

· #6 · Jul 2, 2010

christian900se said:
I test drove the new Mustang 5.0 with the 6 speed manual and that car was an absolute blast to toss around. The quality of the interior is much better than either the Camaro or the Challenger and the car just feels light and nimble when driving. That stonking 5 liter V8 is unbelievable, it just makes me never want to drive my car ever again..

I'm jealous. Looked at one for a little while at the dealer, but did not get to test drive

I want Ford to put an Ecoboost motor and six speed manual into the Fusion.

jk88

· #7 · Jul 2, 2010

christian900se said:
I believe that as a company, Ford's management and business model is much more lucrative and sustainable than GM and especially Chrysler and is deserving of the top spot for domestic auto makers.

Agree and have a lot of respect for the way they handled the recession. However I read recently that they are now so deep in debt, they can barely pay off the interest, let alone the principal, and might end up in pretty bad shape when it's all said and done.

bruceinmiami

· #8 · Jul 2, 2010 (Edited)

christian900se said:
I test drove the new Mustang 5.0 with the 6 speed manual and that car was an absolute blast to toss around. The quality of the interior is much better than either the Camaro or the Challenger and the car just feels light and nimble when driving. That stonking 5 liter V8 is unbelievable, it just makes me never want to drive my car ever again.

that makes me want to drive one tomorrow

mike9000aero

· #9 · Jul 2, 2010

I think I'm buying an 09 focus I can't believe how far far those cars have come in quality since they started making them. The one I'm looking at is a 5mt sel version with fake leather but it get 35 mpg and at 11k $ with 20k on the meter with a warrenty its hard to say no

Hirsch

· #10 · Jul 2, 2010

Believe it or not I want to drive a Fiesta. I drove one in Europe and it was a decent small car, hopefully Ford hasn't ruined it for America.

My dad has an 09 Taurus X Eddie Bauer and it's a really nice car. It's comfortable and easy for my 68 year old dad and stepmom to get in and out of.

bobg450

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 2, 2010 (Edited)

I really like my F150 Supercrew Lariat. Maybe that's why I'm so disappointed. You would have thought that all the engineering faux pas would have been made by now, but no, the neverending quest for efficiency, performance, profit, and consumer appeal has created a marginal design failure..

b dash rian

· #12 · Jul 2, 2010

hmm... i've been thinking about a ford truck too... either an f150 to long travel, or an F250 diesel to lift...

Harvey's Autohaus

· #13 · Jul 2, 2010

Well Bob, I Totally feel your Pain. I have Two Triton 5.4 2v's with their own list of problems. My 97 triton has 188k and has been Bulletproof. No problems accept for a belt tension er last week. Now for the 99 expedition i have on my lift until I get the heads back from the machine shop. blown no 3 plug hole and a Bad intake valve, All at 155k. I do a War dance before Jumping into that engine bay. These trucks are not for Joe Blo consumer with a Craftsman tool kit for sure. All in all I Like the Tritons, I buy them Cheap obviously, But i do psych myself into a Higher level of Automotive excellence every time i pull the heads off of one of these. I hate GM SOooo Much i feel the shortcomings and repairs needed to make the tritons happy again are OK. Tritons separate the Men from the boys Quickly in the Mechanic world. Good Luck, You'll Fix that thing. With a better sense of Accomplishment too.

Derek

· #14 · Jul 2, 2010

I had a Ka in Holland for a while. Funny car, fits everywhere (and I mean EVERYWHERE) and although the one I had (rental) was pretty basic I didn't feel I was missing anything from a car.

In England I drove a Mondeo. I'm telling you I felt in love with that car! Although it took me some time to shift with my left hand, the car was AMAZING. Excellent ride!

If I didn't have a Saab and couldn't afford a BMW, Ford would be the next choice!

I respect Ford as a company.

Saabeh

· #15 · Jul 2, 2010

christian900se said:
I test drove the new Mustang 5.0 with the 6 speed manual and that car was an absolute blast to toss around. The quality of the interior is much better than either the Camaro or the Challenger and the car just feels light and nimble when driving. That stonking 5 liter V8 is unbelievable, it just makes me never want to drive my car ever again.

Christain, look at the price tag.

You can buy an AMG mercedes instead.

Also, my friend has a 351w 1995 F-250. The spark plugs got stuck and he decided to get some upgraded heads on. The truck has been a money pit ever since.

bruceinmiami

· #16 · Jul 2, 2010 (Edited)

Saabeh said:
Christain, look at the price tag.

You can buy an AMG mercedes instead.

Also, my friend has a 351w 1995 F-250. The spark plugs got stuck and he decided to get some upgraded heads on. The truck has been a money pit ever since.

i dont understand how an out-the-door mustang for < $30k costs the same as an amg. please explain.

ive had 4 (yes 4) expeditions, an escape, 2 explorers, and all were bulltproof save for the 01 expedition. and even then parts were super cheap and repairs simple enough.

never had any problems engine-wise. all expys were the 4.6 or 5.4 engine. none crossed 120k miles or were used for much towing.

bruceinmiami

· #17 · Jul 2, 2010

heres my review of the best ford vehicle out there. and it hasnt sold well which is a real shame:
http://www.saablink.net/forum/showthread.php?t=44837&highlight=ford+flex

bobg450

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 2, 2010

b dash rian said:
hmm... i've been thinking about a ford truck too... either an f150 to long travel, or an F250 diesel to lift...

Diesel

Saabeh

· #19 · Jul 2, 2010

bobg450 said:
Diesel

Cummins power wagon with a 6 speed.

bobg450

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jul 2, 2010

Harvey's Autohaus said:
Well Bob, I Totally feel your Pain. Tritons separate the Men from the boys Quickly in the Mechanic world. Good Luck, You'll Fix that thing. With a better sense of Accomplishment too.

Thanks for the words of encouragement "Harv". I did get the P/S manifold out last night with only 1 broken stud. The tool to use looks like a 3/8 drill chuck with hardened serrated jaws to grab the stud. As you turn it CCW, it clamps down on the stud even harder until something gives. Had to pull the engine towards the D/S with a small chainfall. Getting the manifold out after it was unbolted was a job for David copperfield, but it finally came out. Broken stud removal tonight- it broke flush with the head. That should be fun. Then over to the D/S. Parts were $300, so far.

1 - 20 of 42 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.