SO i just bought this beautiful 98 f-150 with 167,000 miles on it at the end of november. I replaced all 6 spark plugs and on the second piston the spark plug was bad. I drove the truck around for a month and it needed to get inspected and new brakes. 300 dollars later the mechanic takes the truck off the lift and starts it up and hears an engine problem (from what he told me) he said there was metal flakes in my oil. I started the truck up infront of my father who is very good with trucks. He said it could be a main bearing problem. My guess is the second piston. I really need some help since it is sitting in my driveway since a week before christmas not moving. It is my first ever vehicle and i payed with it from my own money. can anyone give me advice on what to do.

 

Could be a hydrolock issue... but that's my opinion... there's a wonderful fella on here by the name of glc, that could probably be more helpful... I'm sure he will see this thread.

 

The 97's and early 98's had bad lower intake manifold gaskets. I would advise you to take the truck to an experienced Ford mechanic who is familiar with this issue and get it checked out.

 

Read this;
http://forums.treemedia.com/fb/showthread.php?t=224

 

Come on, folks - it's a 10 year old truck with 167k miles on it - nobody is going to do anything for you. ANY engine with that many miles on it can be at the end of its useful life span. Sorry to put it this way, but you just bought a truck that might need a new engine. As I said, get an opinion from someone who knows these trucks and engines.

 

I agree with glc....get it all checked over by someone that knows that engine up and down before you bomb couple grand when you could have a whole new motor for 2 grand...

 

does anyone remeber what the build date was on the 98's affected?

 

before 1-15-98