I've been reluctant to post this because I might not like the answers i receive but here goes nothing. First, this site is great!!! I joined several years ago while researching info on my 1997 F150 w/ 4.2 V6 and found everything i needed by searching old posts (still own the truck with 199000 miles on it too!!) I recently purchased a 2006 F150 Screw Smokestone Lariat 4X2 5.4 V8 with 80,000 miles from a friend of mine and I have a few issues I haven't been able to find anwers to by searching this forum (found references, but nothing solid anyway). First and foremost: On occasion (maybe 1 time out of 25) when i go to start the truck after it sits overnight it does not crank the first time I turn the key and the "Low Oil Pressure" indicator appears briefly. It always starts the second time I try. Should I be concerned by this? If so, where should i start looking? Secondly, and more importantly, I recently discovered that the truck is leaking fluid (not water or antifreeze) near the oilpan/transmission (it drips on the sway bar). The leak is minimal (maybe 2 or 3 drops a day) and I have not investigated it any further. Oil level appears fine on the dipstick and the ATF level appears fine as well (should I check the atf cold or hot?) I will degrease and pressurewash the area on my lunchbreak and try to identify the source of the leak. Is there a common failure on these trucks I should look out for? Lastly, i need to change the plugs but that's another can of worms and has been beaten to death around here so I'll only ask what plugs i should put back in the engine? Thanks for allowing me to post my long winded post and thanks for the information you guys share around here. Any help is greatly appreciated. JET

First off welcome.....

Secondly....
Need todo some routine maintenance....
Clean the TB...
Clean the MAF...
Change the fuel filter...
Battery might be going if its the original or the posts and connectors need tobe cleaned...

Thirdly....
Leaking fluid?
What color?

Forth...
There's a lot of good threads out there on the plug change...don't be intimidated by them.

Thanks 88racing, I'll do some research on the maintenance you mentioned and tackle those this weekend. I degreased and powerwashed the underside of the truck during my lunchbreak and I'm waiting for the leak to return so I can identify the fluid. I'll get under there this evening and clean some more, not sure if it's oil running down the block or what at this point.

Welcome tom the site!!!

Tranny fluid is checked hot, engine running in Park.

Is there even a dipstick to check the fluid on the 04+? I know my '08 doesn't have one.

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Welcome to the 04-08 forum.

Regarding your leak. As simple as it sounds it could just be your oil pan drain plug. I had nearly the exact same type of leak you described above. I do ALL the maintenance on my vehicles and discovered that the integrated o-ring on my drain plug was flat and non pliable. I simply got a new one from my local Ford (they gave it to me for free too!) and no more leak! Just coordinate the replacement with your next oil change.

As far as this problem with starting....start simple.

Check the battery.

Your description wasn't very much. Does the vehicle continuously turn over and over with no fire/spark? Or do you just turn the key and "think" it's ready to start and back off, but then realize it didn't? I do that sometimes as I try to back off the key the second I think I feel/hear it fire.

Oh, and sweet color too. Welcome to the club of the rarest 04-08 F150 color out there. SmokeStone was only offered in 2006 and only on the Lariat. I got the solid color, not the two-tone. Absolutely LOVE it. Can you believe it is one of the reasons I haven't seriously considered the 09+ ! None of the colors appeal to me like SmokeStone.


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Thanks! I checked it that way but was curious because (if i recall correctly) it had a "cold" level mark on it.

I'll check the drain plug as soon as it quits pouring down rain. As far as the starting procedure, I'll try to be more conscious of my actions and see if it makes a difference.

As far as the start issue, I imagine you are backing off a bit quick. I do it once in a while. The oil pressure light is on because it didn't crank hence no oil pressure.