Now that I have had my 02 Screw for a month now, it seems like every time I start it and drive it, I keep listening for a plug to blow out. Maybe because I have read so much on these forums about that happening. I also have read many that have way over 100,000 miles with no problems. I also don't really drive it too hard maybe because I think I might cause a plug to blow out. AM I BEING PARANOID??? My common sense says I should not even give it a thought. But the knowledge of instances happening are there. I asked my dealer about it and the service manager said they have had a few in their service dept with blown plugs, and they fix them for $300.00 bucks, and also said not to worry about it. I have 43,000 miles on it now. Yeah, it can be fixed, but what if I'm in the middle of nowhere or some bad area at night and a stupid plug lets go? CHIT!
I'd sure like to hear you guy's thoughts on this. Maybe I'm making more out of this than there is.

And something else now.......A few guys at work today told me that now the NHTSC and the DOT are adding 2002 F-150's to the cruise control fire problem. I thought it was just 2000 & 2001 trucks. Now something else I have to worry about?
When I was in the service dept of my dealer 2 weeks ago, he ran my VIN number and nothing showed up on the cruise control problem. AM I BEING PARANOID AGAIN???

Can any of you guys help to put my mind at ease?

Thanks.........

 

my dads a mechanic has been one at ford for 22 years now.... its not very common that i know of since problem has occured they have only seen maybee 4-5 and most of these trucks had 100K miles on em and were trucks the railroad used.

 

I felt the same way when I bought my truck back in October. It will pass in time, I think. I've put over 11K on my truck (48K total miles) and I'm not as worried as I used to be. Reading the Lightning forum and how they push these motors to 500 HP and more helps me breathe easier. I still don't trust my truck 100% yet, I never get in it without my cell phone and an extra credit card in my wallet. I do not expect it to be as reliable as my 94 Ranger but it's a lot nicer. When it breaks I'll get it fixed. In the meantime I spent too much money on this truck to not enjoy it. So I'm going to turn up the radio and paste a blissful smile on my face as I cruise down the road in my Lariat with power everything and leather seats.

 

i mean u can put lock tight on the threads if u are paranoid about it... but dont use to much or it'll be a b!tch gettin em out when u go to change em

 

I would go in there with a socket and make sure they are tight. That should be pretty good preventative maintenance.

Otherwise I would not worry about it too much, because if its gonna blow its gonna blow, not a whole lot you can do about it.

 

But what about the new issue with the cruise control problem being extended to the 2002 model year now?
The first I heard about it was today.

 

Not all 02s are involved.
There is a site to check your VIN number but offhand don't remember.
You got to get over being paironoid or you won't enjoy all the money you are paying for the truck.
How do you feel about a transmission going out or some other problem? No different.

 

I know and I have thought about that too. I guess I just need to forget about it and not think about it. It might never happen.
Now I'll have to go to that website and input my VIN number to see if anything comes up with the cruise control thingy.

 

Think about it man.. 10 times as many people are killed in car accidents every day than total trucks that have caught fire, but you still drive right? People drown all the time but you still swim right? My point is, no sense worrying about something like that that "might" happen.. Now if every other truck out there was having either of these problems then I might worry. But for now just drive er and enjoy er... Like the one other guy said, if its gonna break its gonna break.. If you spend your whole life worrying about what might or could happen you wont have much of a life! lol

 

Yeah, you guys are right. I do love my truck and I want to enjoy it to the max. I will try my best to get over being worried about it.
Hey, my truck I turned in when my lease was up was a 2002 Scab Lariat (it's still in my sig). I purchased a 2002 Screw Lariat to replace it, 43,000 miles. I got it for $19,000.
Do you think it was weird to buy the same year vehicle that I had instead of something newer?
I love the truck and when the weather gets better, I'll take pics and post them. The truck is really sharp looking.

 

If you dont rely heavily on your cruise control, you can disconnect the switch that causes the fires.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=183531

Check out this thread, it tells you what you need to do if you want to disconnect the switch.

 

My 2000 F150 4x4 Supercab with 5.4 engine now has 98,000 miles on it with no problems with the original plugs. I am worried about the possibility of blowout after replacing the plugs though. I plan to check the torque on a regular basis to make sure I prevent blowout.

I think you should relax and enjoy your truck.

I got a recall notice saying I should take my truck to the dealer to let them disconnect my cruise control. No Way! I use my CC at every opportunity.

 

About the plug issue... is that more common on the 5.4L or 4.6L engines? Has anyone heard of/had a plug blow out on a 4.6L?

 

I'm on the recal too! I still use mine every chance I get, I do try to shut it off with the sterring wheel controls instead of the brake but sometime I just can't help it. Oh well no smoke nor flames yet! Plugs smugs....If it spits one out, then put it back in! LOL
Seriously though, the guys are right studies show that 90% of what we worry about happening never actually happens. So all you create by worrying about anything before it happens is an early grave. Neither a truck or anything else is worth that... Just kick back and enjoy your purchase.

 

If you're worried about the cruise switch, just keep it clean and dry. It's mounted on the front of your master cylinder. Wipe it off with a rag so there isn't any brake fluid on it.