Got an 03 Lariat two weeks ago. Couple of odd things have happened since then. Have read the rest of the forum and don't see any posts on these so any ideas, thoughts or similar experiences reported would be appreciated.

First problem that occurred was we noticed a smell of burning oil after 200 miles. Checked it out underneath and didn't see anything leaking. At 400 miles, actually saw smoke underneath front end so checked again. Oily substance all over underneath from front differential back. Took it to dealer for service. Turned out to be a nicked seal where one of the axles/splines shoves into the front transfer case. Dealer figured it had been nicked when originally put together by factory. Replaced seal and cleaned up the bottom of the pickup and seems fine now. Fluid in the front case never got so low to harm anything.

Second problem occurred three days ago. This is the one I need ideas about. Was early morning, 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and was leaving for a 1000 mile round trip for Thanksgiving. Drove out of yard and about 200 yards down the road. Realized we had forgotten the early newspaper so I stopped, put the truck in reverse, and slowly proceeded to back up the entire 200 yards back to my mail box. Grabbed the paper, put the truck in Drive, and proceeded forward. At about 100 yards, the truck just shut down, died out. Had electrical in the cab and she turned over fine, but motor wouldn't re-fire up. Sat for a few minutes trying to decide whether to get out and push it by hand back to the house, but then tried it again and she fired up. Wife wanted to take the other car for the trip but I just couldn't do it. This is a brand new truck and I'm not going to leave it sit in my garage. Once she fired up, everthing seemed fine. Drove it the entire round trip for Thanksgiving. No other problems. Any ideas what could have caused her to just die? Had premium in her because that's what we ordered for the farm, but I can't believe that caused the problem.

Thanks in advance,

Mark

 

This happened to me over here in the UK but in a regular fairly new Sedan.
Exactly the same type of situation except I had changed gear quickly in a reverse, drive, reverse, drive sequence, while getting into a narrow opening.
The car just died and like you we were about to drive on the VERY busy M6 motorway north of Birmingham.
I was concerned about taking it even though it fired up and appeared to be OK....as indeed it was, and has been ever since.
I spoke to Nissan about it and they could only come up with the same explanation as I already had....I had just confused the on board computer and it shut down for a while rather than be subjected to what it saw as un natural sequences.
I know your pattern of shifts seemed rather more relaxed, but that's all I can suggest.

 

really could be any number of things....i'd take the truck to the dealership and have them hook it up to see if any computer codes were tripped. otherwise don't worry about it as ford provides free towing, etc...for 36k/36 months.