went to the ford dealer today for them to look at my truck for the fuel line recall, rough idle, tranny delay, and chirping noise.

fuel line was okay. the chirping noise is from the idler pulleys which need to be replaced (~$45). (AC compressor makes some noise but not enough for replacement)

they hooked it up to a computer and put it in reverse (or drive). it showed that the engine was misfiring but not severe enough for any censors to go off or for them to tell me why it was doing that. it was suggested that it could be the plugs, wires, or coil pack. Well, since this has been happening before the new plugs and wires, it must be the coil pack. If it is the pack then I should wait to replace it till two cylinders shut down. so, now i have to wait till my truck is completely unpredictable before they can tell what part is malfunctioning.

the delayed engagement into drive.....it's normal. the hell it is. i've been driving this truck long enough to know what is normal and what is not.

I'm afraid I'm going to get a domino effect here. One part that is going out is going to hurt the next one in line. the one I'm most worried about is the excessive delay in drive engagement - I'm afraid if I have to wait for it to get worse then it's going to be to the point where I'm going to need a new transmission.

also, the mechanic mentioned that I should changed my oil grade. I currently use Valvoline 10W-30, I should change it to 5W-30. He said that I would have less hard start-ups. What is everybody's opinion on that?

 

I don't think that changing the grade of oil from 10W-30 to 5W-30 is going to improve the hard starts, but it is the oil grade that is recommended for our vehicles. I use 5W-30 and mine has hard starts when it's cold outside.

 

okay.....
$3 later.... replaced the pvc valve. been driving it around for 2 days and no rough idle!

 

I am no oil expert but this question has been brought up before. The 5w-30 is thinner. Thus it coats the engine parts faster when the engine is started, the 10w-30 is thicker so it takes longer to coat the parts. I think I got that right. Fogive me if I mixed up my oils. The point is, one does help "cold" or "hard" starts better than the other.



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'97 F-150 XLT Clearcoat Red
4x2
4x4 wheels
Stepside, K&N, bedliner
32inch tires,flowmaster
tint, matching ford sticker
5spd fully loaded, hidden hitch
new spark plugs
Comming soon:
spark plug wires,leveling kit,toolbox,
bed rails,push bar, CB with whiplash,
clear corner lenses,brush guard, blackouts,
edlebrock shocks, hypertech, K&N induction system,KC highlighters,
bed xtender, BOSE audio or infinity gold, disc changer,
side steps, dixie horn, white faaced gauges, and those small fender flares some 4x4's have,
matching boddy color of course, and some of those door guards,ventshade visors, power pulleys, that is all
i can think of right now

 

The only diffrence between 5W-30 and 10W-30 is when it is cold. The 5W-30 has the thickness of a 5 weight oil at start up, 10W-30 has a thickness of a 10 weight oil, when both get to operating temp they are basicly a 30 weight oil untill they cool down again. get some straight 30 weight 5W-30 and some 10W-30 and compare them. There is not much diffrence between the 5&10 the 30 is much thicker.