Well, I am at 29,800 miles, and my truck is falling apart. I recently (last week) had the A/C fixed because it wouldn't cool. This morning, I started it up and smelled antifreeze. I backed out of the garage, and there are 2 drops of coolant. What's next? I will be taking it to the shop soon for about 7 things that need fixing. Is this the norm?

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1998 F-150 XLT SC 5.4L

 

Yeah, that really sounds like its falling apart.

First off, if you use your AC alot youre going to have to have it recharged. The stuff they use now instead of Freon isnt as efficient. Second, if you have two drops of coolant, that isnt 'falling apart' either. Check the lines, may be a loose connection.

 

The A/C is a CLOSED system and should NEVER need recharging, unless there is a leak. There was a leak that was fixed. Secondly, the drops of coolant is not a big issue alone, but there is a leak. I am also going to have the pitman arm replaced (it's squeaking) both of my seats replaced (they are squeaking), a seatbelt replaced (noises). I also have a little piston slap and the door crack. Granted nothing is major, but it is just a sign that my truck was not built well. I still love the truck like the rest of you, but it is not encouraging that all this is happening 6K away from the warranty running out.

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1998 F-150 XLT SC 5.4L

 

WOW!! 2 drops of coolant? Maybe there should be a recall. Just kidding. Seriously though, you can't expect a truck to be perfect. If there were allot of MAJOR problems I could see your point. But a truck is a machine and they do break down allot. I know, I work in a factory and the machines break on a regular basis, and our equipment is state of the art. Nor are they very old. Anytime you have moving parts, which consist mostly of metal, they cause friction. Anytime there is friction something will wear out or break. Just my .02



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97 F-150 S/C 4x4 ORP XLT 4.6 K&N , Flowmaster w/dual tailpipes, Bosch+4 plugs,Ford 9mm wires,Superchip.Patriot fiberglass toneau cover, Westin chrome step bars. Rear seat lift 4".
Kenwood 4011 stereo, Rockford 150a1 amp, Profile electronic crossover, and 2 10" IDQ's.

FUTURE STEREO MODS:
Memphis components in front, Pioneer 3ways in rear, amp for the components, a cd changer,
and a RF 500a2 for the subs.

FUTURE PERFORMANCE MODS:
4.10 gears, Edlebrock shocks, supercharger, Airaid, power pulleys.

 

JScott,

Mine has 45K miles and is 43 months old and gets a lot of AC use here in Dallas. Never had it worked on and it still freezes your a$$ off. Unlike many others on this forum I have not had door cracks, piston slap etc. Maybe the first year of production isn't so bad after all!!! BTW, I do about 70% city, 20% highway and 10% off road.

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Mine: FOR SALE SOON...1997 F150, XLT, SC, Oxford white/maroon 60/40 cloth, 4x4 ORP, 4.6L, 3.55LS, 17" ORP wheels w/GY AT/S LT265/70/17, auto, 6 CD,Towing package, alarm, Rhino grill guard w/PICCA lights, dual exhaust. Bought new June '96

Wife: '99Explorer Limited,pearl white/tan leather,4.0L,4:10LS,CD,sunroof,towing pkg.,alarm. Bought new Sept. 1999

Next: 2001 F150 XLT SuperCrew, 5.4L, 4x4,3:55LS,tow pkg. etc.......

Previous: '65 Mustang 289 HP, '70 Chevelle SS 396, '70 Vette Conv. 350/350, '74 Vette TTop, '79 Blazer, '89 TBird Super Coupe 3.8L SuperCharged, '93 Explorer 4.0L

 

Oh my God!!! At what point is it safe to wear out?!! This is really cause for some major hand wringing!!! Excuse me while I sulk.

 

JSCOTT-
Most of the people here could have an F150 which dropped two engines and 3 transmissions on the road and they would still say Ford trucks are great; it's just one of those things. Love is Blind.

From my perspective, having had two late model F150's IT IS THE NORM !

 

>>>>Whew, I thought this title 30k and it's all over! was about age. Boy was I relieved being 32 I was beginning to get a little worried, man was I glad to see y'all were talking about trucks.

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99 F150 XLT SC 4x4 4.6 liter Deep Wedgewood Blue

Westin Nerf Bars , Lund Bug Deflector , Kenwood 10 disc CD changer, Extang Black Max soft bed cover, Bodyguard Bed Liner

 

Way to go guys! Somebody asks a legitimate question and half of you jump on his case. I'm sure your sarcasm was both helpful and appreciated; I'll bet he's glad he asked. For a minute I though I logged into The Corral.

Just because you only have 2 drops on the floor doesn't mean you don't have a puddle somewhere else in the truck. If you can smell it it's leaking a lot.

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1999 Lariat Super Cab, S.B. 5.4L, 3.55 LS
and everything but the leaky slider window.
Bright red w/ gold 2-tone, Leather Captain's Chairs
Mods: Duraliner bedliner, Bugflector II, Hide-a-hooks.
& a leeetle chrome tip on the exhaust.




[This message has been edited by Indyfan (edited 03-08-2000).]

 

JSCOTT,

Trust me..it is not falling apart. Do check to see where the leak is coming from..and it is very possible your A/C was not properly installed at the factory (loose part or something).

A brand new truck just a week old could have a part fail..so I think you will be just fine.

You are correct Indyfan...



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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99

 

someone wanna tell me about the piston slap?

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'97 F150 4x4 Off-Road Extended Cab Lariat Flareside white/tan, tan leather, 4.6, 3.55

Duraliner bedliner, Husky floormats, Custom seatcovers (I only cover the leather when I'm really dirty, though), Premier single-lid toolbox

Gibson 2.5" split-rear exit cat-back exhaust, K&N Air Filter

Many more modifications to come

http://ocu-stars.okcu.edu/cvenable.stu/index.htm#b

 

JSCOTT can you give me more info on the replacing of the seats? My driver side seat is squeaking, one day while cleaning I found a rubber piece that was about 1' long maybee thats the reason. I am ALSO hearing clicking noises and the rear driver side spring squeaks. But I LOVE this truck.

Josh

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1999 F150 XLT, V6, S/C, nothing important done yet.

 

Yeah, that's the sort of petty little items with which we all need to concern ourselves. Never mind having a vehicle that's reliable and roadworthy enough to get you to work, it's all about VANITY!!! It's not how you feel, it's how you look!! And you look MAHVELOUS!! By the way, since when was a no tolerance policy regarding sarcasm instituted here?

[This message has been edited by Ford man (edited 03-08-2000).]

 

JSCOTT
Well I hope the dealer will fix most of your problems. In regards to the other responses.. their day will come soon. With these trucks, that is a given.

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99 F150 5.4 4x4 ORP 3.73 styleside deep wedgewood blue ..no mods (yet)

 

That's right, babe, VANITY!!! I feel the need to be envied by my neighbors and co-workers. Gotta have a nice shiny vehicle with no squeaks or rattles. When they get paid for, all of the squeaks and rattles just mysteriously vanish. But you've gotta look good, right? Oh, damn. If you could just build a secure tunnel to travel for only YOUR vehicle, it would never get any scratches or dents or anything. GET REAL, POLLYANNA!! Been quite awhile since I was sixteen. People love me or hate me, but not because of my pickup.