Let me start by saying hello to everyone. I am currently looking at what seems to be a great deal on a 2000 f150 w/ a 4.2 that has 174,000 miles...for 2200 bucks. Seems like a great price i think. however, it has some rusting on the underbody that has me thinking...wtf?? But rust isnt why im posting. Id really like to know if i should be worrying about the very audible sucking sound i hear as soon as i start the engine, which turns over like a champ. I figure its something to do with loosing vacuum. it seems to idle decent, not amazing, and acceleration seems a bit slow. So w/o taking it to a mechanic and paying the 75 bucks to have it smoke tested, any ideas if this might be an expensive fix or som weekend warrior work? Im asking alot i know, but f150s are one of my fav body styles and this is more than in my price range. so thumbs crossed!!

 

Welcome to the site! Sorry, but I had to remove your second post. One thread per subject is all that is allowed.

On the noise, does the intake look complete and is it stock? If it were a vacuum leak, I would think it would run rough.

 

thanks, i posted a second time bc i felt like the other area was a better place to ask. my apologies. it doesnt run perfect, but its douesnt stall. im fairly certain theres some issue with vacuum pressure bc as i was test driving i stopped by a random shop and although the guy was busy, he said it was likely that. my question is, in your opinion, is it likely to be an expensive fix (gasket or something) or hopefully a little less complicated (hose or new egr valve)... i should also mention i didnt see any alert with the check engine.

 

First off, does it have the plastic intake manifold or aluminum one?

If it is an aluminum one, it is most likely a leaky rubber hose somewhere. They seem to be common for the 4.2L. You can start by checking the elbow under the TB and follow it back to the PVC valve by the sidewall on the pax side valve cover. With 174k miles, that kinda thing should be expected. Get a can of WD-40 or something like that and spray all the hoses you can find. If the RPM's raise/lower/shudder/drop etc then you found the problem area.

 

im not certain what its made of. ill have to try and look in the next day or two. really, as long a its not a gasket problem, i think ill get it. although i am worried about the rust on the underside, where the cab connects to the frame...

 

Don't get too excited about it. There are LOTS of 10th gen F-150s out there. Shop around. Personally, if I could buy another 10th gen, I would get the 4.6L V8. +30hp/30tq for a 1mpg hit. But the 4.2L V6 is a great engine nonetheless.

 

yea, ive been looking. theres few around madison and even less anywhere near being under 3000 bucks. hence my desire to see if it really is a diamond in the rough, or just a lump of coal.

 

Keep in mind it might be better to find a truck in better condition, even if it costs you a grand or more. You never know if a cheaper truck will blow up, ya know? IMHO anything under 100K is young. 150K is a good number to be looking at some things and 200K you better know the guy who owned it before you took care of everything. I'm at 240K miles (original owner) and right now my suspension is keeping me busy.

 

additional question, the heater/ac only actully blows air when set to HI. any chance thats related or just something else entirely?

 

That's a blown resistor pack.

Have you used a code reader to check for stored codes?

 

no i didnt, i just went to the sellers machine shop and test drove it/looked it over.