Going to buy a 2003 F-150 sport short box tomorrow, Wanted to know any major engine problem I should be on the look out for and for that matter Any info about the entire truck would be helpful. Thanks for any tips.

 

if you posted the engine size, and drivetrain, it would help us help you a lot better than the trim level...

 

That might help

 

I may be reaching here, but if it's a Sport package, it's also probably an XL and has a v6. It's Ford's way of shining up a v6 truck. Not a bad thing necessarily. I know of one guy I used to work with who had an XLT 4x4 rec cab/shortie with the 4.6L. That's all I know with a Sport and v8.

Other than tossing idler or tensioner pulleys (I feel I have one going bad), I've encountered nothing of note on my 2003 F-truck.

My odometer hasn't blanked out, no problems with the OD switch shorting out or any other finicky issues just yet. Hopefully, the couple that owned the truck up until I bought it had all that stuff dealt with.

 

Idler pulley's - What do they sound like when there going out? I got a metal scrapping like noise coming from one of my pulley's - not real loud, just enough to notice. It's not a squealing noise, but I can hear it with the hood shut and I just insulated the engine compartment - still hear it..I noticed my belt is riding just a little different, via the paint is rubbed off in a different area on another pulley. I imagine I'll find out what one is going bad soon - might be the tensioner ..

 

i have also seen Sports that are Scab 4WD, 5.4L, XLT w/ a moonroof, etc...

 

that noise was my waterpump dying when i had that noise.

 

Really? - I hope that's it - Probably is, still running my stock one - I have a new one in the cabinet for a 4six - It's a Ford factory one too/ I hope it fits my 5four.

 

heard they interchange.

 

as far as noises go under the hood: take the belt off and spin all the pulleys that you can. if there is a slight grating noise (like rubbing sand on something) then the bearing has gone bad or has gotten something in it and the pulley needs to be changed.

about the truck. nothing really horrible to say about that year and model. make sure you give it a good once over in the daytime and test drive it. if you have a trusted mechanic then take it there first. if all goes well then buy it.

 

Yea , I haven't took the belt off yet , that's what's next. - Thanks for the info Klitch and Chief - Yea, it can be hard to tell if the bearing bad in the beginning stages , IF they don't wobble.

I wonder if the OP bought the truck ??

 

can it be fixed

 

Anything can be fixed.

 

after 13 years…