Bad luck? Possibly. I bought the truck brand new in 99 from the Ford dealer. All work was done by Ford or a Ford dealer. It was never taken to anyone else. 3 major engine leaks? 3 times... Three! Doesn't sound like bad luck. Just bad engine manuf.

I know that the dealer ship where I bought it, was replacing 5 engines a week for several months . That's not bad luck. That's just bad. I don't tow anything heavy. I'm not heavy footed. I drive more conservative that others. The body is in perfect condition. I took really good care of that truck. Changed the oil regularly and didn't use cheap gas. Maybe I should have slapped the b**** around a bit.

I'm not buying Chevy either. I had a Camaro that had major problems too. I have Toyotas, BMWs, and VW's that didn't have as many problems as I've had with American made cars/trucks.

The reason I came here was because I always came here. I read a lot of the posts on this website. There is a lot of good information that I could use in trying to work with Ford to resolve these issues. I didn't get upset when I had the first oil leak. I just took it in thinking it could get fixed. But it's been 4 years and have loose the truck for a month at at time to get these repairs done and not having it repaired for any length of time has pissed me off.

When it gets that bad, it's time to cut the truck loose before I have to make a 4-5k payment to fix another major oil leak when the warranty runs out.

Would some of you actually keep my truck? You know it's had 3 major engine leaks, and has been rebuilt/swapped that many times and your warranty is about to run out? Would you?

 

Hello, My 2000 f150 runs great,and no leaks,touch wood. My 93 Ranger only has a ball joints and starter motor issues.Thats it.My son is an service advisor for Honda, was at Toyota{his boss owns 2 dealerships so he bounces employees back and forth) You should hear some of the horror stories. Piston slap on Tundras,sludge on the V6,auto transmissions on Honda etc...All I say is good luck buddy. Oh, I used to be a GM guy like my dad but please, dont get me started with those POS!

 

Washout,
I know what you are talking about with Ford engines. My best friend has struggled with his gas motor for years, but he got rid of it for a SD last year. But you would think you could come here and get information about Ford because of all the Ford fans here. I like Ford and I am thinking about buying one in the next month or so. Good luck with your lemon of a truck.

 

Your friend had a bad truck and went back and bought another one? ARGH!! I know their appearance is hard to resist. I like the way they look. But, I can't buy another one. To me right now it's like thinking about grabbing a Supermodels a**. It looks good, but you know you're going to get slapped in the face for doing it.

NOOO MightbyaFord DON'T DO IT... NOOOOO!!!!! ARGH!. Don't look at the shiny wrapper. It's hell in side. HHHEEEELLLLLLLL.

If you like unique fixer uppers then... ok.

Spellbound do you hear yourself? (I'm not being harsh here, but your post is a perfect example of other Ford owners).

Knock on wood? "Only has a ball joints and starter motor issues." Haven't we Americans been making these for years? COME ON! We can't do better than this? I can't wait to see what problems we have with the hybrids. Not one engine but two now. Twice as many things to go wrong. If only knocking on wood would work. Maybe we should sell a 2x4 with every vehicle. ...something to think about..... hmmm

 

Hmmm...We've had more issues with the foreign "commuter cars" we've owned than the Ford vehicles...Susuki Samurai, suffered a broken piston and had to be rebuilt. Volkswagen Rabbit, blew the oil filter off and seized the engine. Honda Civic, leaked everything constantly.

No, I would not keep the truck after everything you've had to deal with. But nor would I completely boycott Ford because of it. However, I wish you luck in whatever vehicle you decide to go with...Just remember, there are only so many manufacturers out there and once you've boycotted them all because of issues...well, I guess you better find a good bicycle.

 

I would buy another Ford in a heartbeat. The number of good ones largely overshadow the few bad ones like yours. There was a head gasket issue years ago and TSBs to fix it. If your dealer could not satisfactorily fix it after 2 tries I would have taken it somewhere else.

 

Hey washout!!!!! ever heard of a LEMON......every single automaker has them.
Your just that one unlucky guy that happend to buy one.....

I have a 97' F-150 4x4 with the 5.4L and 136,900 miles No leaks of any kind anywear and I have had NO problems with my truck at all......runs like a champ!! I wouldent buy nothing but a FORD ever!

Best truck ever built

Have fun with your chebby or dodge, or what ever you choose.. make sure you buy the life time warrenty with either one of them cause you will need it

Jimmy

www.ftwtrucks.com/1HIGH4BY/

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...ry.cfm?gnum=39

 

I can understand your frustration. The 94 Ranger I had went through two transmissions before 50K miles and the engine started eating oil shortly afterward. It seemed the Ford dealerships in my area were unwilling to fix the engine under the extended warranty and they were perfectly happy to jerk me around doing endless oil comsumption tests until the warranty expired. A manager eventually explained that the company that actually holds the extended Ford warranties were unwilling to fix my engine since they already shelled out over $4,000 replacing two transmissions.

I just gave that truck a good dose of "Trade" and bought a new 97 F-150 which has been an absolute gem. Before I bought a new Ford, I just checked the number of recalls on current Chevy's, GMC's and Dodge trucks (A good indicator of quality in my book). The Chevy & GMC already had 13 recalls, the Dodge had 18, and the Ford had one. 'Nuff said.

 

Sorry to here about your nightmare, it'll probably be a long hard road to recovery but when it's over come on back because Ford sells one hell of a truck at a great price, myself I've been lucky never had a lemon but know plenty of people who have and it doesn't matter what you own even a Mercedes. By the way, I've owned a Buick, Pontiac, Ford, Volkswagon, Chevy, Honda, and MY F150 my first truck and my favorite although the IROC Z28 came close.

 

Washout,

I don't think i would be so harsh on Ford just yet. I would sell your POS, and then head to your local big three and test drive each and get the one you like. In the end, the only difference between Dodge, Chevy, and Ford is where its located in the salvage yard. They all have good ones, bad ones, and in between ones. I owned a Ford before my Dodge, and i can't say either is significantly better than the other, except on aesthetics/interior design. Also, make sure you research what you are buying, head to these kinds of message boards. After reading this board, im sure i wouldnt buy a Ford with a Gas engine, likewise, if i had read the Dodge board, i wouldnt have gotten a 1/2 ton with an auto tranny....i would have traded up to the 3/4 ton and std tranny. Little things like that could help you avoid POTENTIAL problems. Good luck with it, and i guarantee everyone on this board has felt your pain to some extent at some time or another.

 

I Have my 02 5.4 @ 35K Not a leak anywhere, Runs strong, Going to Do a nice overhaul soon, Tranny fluid Flush, diff fludi, coolant, oil. Plugs Ect. You cant base your hatred on one truck, Ive had Fox Bodies, with 150K pissing oil out if every place you can see still run hard and beat a z28. My ranger went 80K before it was stolen. And I plan to get 100K out of this one. than go to a SD. They are good trucks.. but your free to get what you want.
Test drive them all, like someone suggested, GUYS DONT HATE ME FOR THIS but I loved the GMC 2500 Diesiel, the interior was nicer than the 250, but The 6.0 PSD was better. You have to pick and choose, And In all honesty it comes down to where you sit on the fence, engine stats are great but VERY VERY FEW people are going to be using the extra 5 Hp that the FORD puts out over the Chebby.
Just dont get an unfair Bias towards these trucks because you got a lemon
Ry

 

The only leak I ever had was from the #%$@!^%^ Fram oil filter I used once when the parts store was out of Motorcraft 820S.

 

I have a 1995 F150 with 100k+ miles. I've driven half that myself and have had absolutely No problems (except ones caused by excessive four-wheeling). You can't beat a Ford.

 

I just took my 97 in because it was running rough. Found out both head gaskets leak on mine as well. Guy said it'd be about 1200 to replace them. Have not got 2nd opinion yet.

 

I have a 2001 and have had no problems with leaks at all. Only problem I have had is with the EGR pressure sensor. The truck runs great and the check engine light is just an annoyance. I have roughly 75000 on mine. Even with the oversized tires and way too high of a gear ratio all things fluid wise is well.