does these trucks have any known problems with the engine and tranny. it is a 5.4l v8 with 210000 miles. needs a tune up and the timing chain makes a ticking sound. it is a loaded larait center console sunroof leather seats. what is a truck like this worth already cleaned and tuned up. i have a 3 door 2000 z71 i was kinda thinking of trading in on it. mine has 5.3l with 150,000 miles on it but i want a 4 door. mind you i am in no hurry to get a 4 door. are these fords good for a lot of miles. thanks steve
2006 ford f150 210k miles
- Thread starter jgeorge
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At 210K your guess is as good as mine. The Ford modular V8s are generally considered reliable, if they are well cared for. But unless you have service records, there's no way of knowing. I would not assume a tuneup is all it needs without some independent verification.
Without service records, look elsewere. Too many miles at least on the tranny.
I have a similar year F150. I absolutely love it! But my advice it to pass on this one. The F150 a good truck but this one could be very near the end of it's useful life. If it was really well maintained, it could be gook for another 30-50K but without detailed maintenance records and a thorough check-out, you won't know that. If it's offered at some ridiculously low price and you have the time and money to go through it afterwards, it might be OK. If this is going to be your basic transportation.... well... you odds are better in Las Vegas.
"Tune-Up" sets off alarm bells. The 3-valve 5.4L engines have a serious spark plug issue that can cost a lot of money to fix. Part of the spark plug breaks off in the head. It's really a poor spark plug more than it is a problem with the truck but it happens to almost every '04-08 3-valve engine. If you have the special tool to remove them and the knowledge to use it, it's not usually too big a deal but some people go to a shop where the techs are not clued in and walk out with a $3000 bill for a "tune up." Follow the link below for some info on it.
The ticking is likely a cam phaser or a chain related noise. They are kinda noisy engines, so a certain amount is normal but, again, with that many miles, unless you get someone to check it out, you could be set to spend some big money at the get-go.
Broken Spark Plugs
"Tune-Up" sets off alarm bells. The 3-valve 5.4L engines have a serious spark plug issue that can cost a lot of money to fix. Part of the spark plug breaks off in the head. It's really a poor spark plug more than it is a problem with the truck but it happens to almost every '04-08 3-valve engine. If you have the special tool to remove them and the knowledge to use it, it's not usually too big a deal but some people go to a shop where the techs are not clued in and walk out with a $3000 bill for a "tune up." Follow the link below for some info on it.
The ticking is likely a cam phaser or a chain related noise. They are kinda noisy engines, so a certain amount is normal but, again, with that many miles, unless you get someone to check it out, you could be set to spend some big money at the get-go.
Broken Spark Plugs
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the spark plugs are an issue but if you but the lisle tool its not that bad to do. if your super smart, or lucky?, like me you wont break any. i pull em hot
other problems
drive shaft, if you have to replace the carrier bearing you have to buy a new drive shaft 800 from ford
valve train, most of the time its not phasers but the vct solenoids that need replaced (much cheaper)
exhaust manifolds, they tend to break and then the studs break off in the head when you try to pull em
transmissions, weak
brakes, you need a 3/4 in drive torque wrench to install the front rotors. the torque is 295 ft pounds
all that being said i love my truck. i have not had to do anything except change the plugs and fluids
fluids
atf mercon V
coolant gf5
power steering mercon (dex/merc)
gear oil 75/140 syn
the sump holds 7 qts and the best filter is a mc 820s
hers how i changed my plugs,
http://www.f150forum.com/f4/changed-my-plugs-today-74635/
other problems
drive shaft, if you have to replace the carrier bearing you have to buy a new drive shaft 800 from ford
valve train, most of the time its not phasers but the vct solenoids that need replaced (much cheaper)
exhaust manifolds, they tend to break and then the studs break off in the head when you try to pull em
transmissions, weak
brakes, you need a 3/4 in drive torque wrench to install the front rotors. the torque is 295 ft pounds
all that being said i love my truck. i have not had to do anything except change the plugs and fluids
fluids
atf mercon V
coolant gf5
power steering mercon (dex/merc)
gear oil 75/140 syn
the sump holds 7 qts and the best filter is a mc 820s
hers how i changed my plugs,
http://www.f150forum.com/f4/changed-my-plugs-today-74635/
We have the same truck except an '04, we love it. We have almost 90K and no problems, although I agree with electrolover, the spark plugs are a pain, but they are not impossible. At 210K on a 5 y/o vehicle, I don't know. Would be fine in sure, the 5.4 is a tough motor
The ticking is likely the cam phasers. Just depends on whether the noise bothers you or not.
As others mentioned, the "tune up" may or may not be a big deal. Someone who deals with a lot of these (like a Ford dealership) is your best bet on the plug changes. The service record on my '04 shows they broke 4 of them on removal, but did't have any issues with the special tool so the price was reasonable.
If it were me, and this was going to be a daily driver, I'd want full maintenance records before I spent much on it. Otherwise its a [censored]. (For the record, I bought my '04 F150 with 107,000 on it, with the PO having full maintenance records. Happy as can be...)
As others mentioned, the "tune up" may or may not be a big deal. Someone who deals with a lot of these (like a Ford dealership) is your best bet on the plug changes. The service record on my '04 shows they broke 4 of them on removal, but did't have any issues with the special tool so the price was reasonable.
If it were me, and this was going to be a daily driver, I'd want full maintenance records before I spent much on it. Otherwise its a [censored]. (For the record, I bought my '04 F150 with 107,000 on it, with the PO having full maintenance records. Happy as can be...)
I'd go with Jim Allen's advise. If it needs a tune up ask the owner/dealer to do the tune up and then see how it runs
As much as I love the F-150 I would not go near it without service records..I would not buy any vehicle with over 10K miles without service records.
I am really surprised that some people here are willing to buy vehicles [with high mileage] without service records..I do not have a issue buying a car or truck with high mileage but would definitely need to have the service records.
I am really surprised that some people here are willing to buy vehicles [with high mileage] without service records..I do not have a issue buying a car or truck with high mileage but would definitely need to have the service records.
the miss was a weak coil but he replaced all the plugs cost him $107.00 for the plugs. he wants $2500.00 difference between my 2000 z71. mine is going to need passenger cab rear fixed rusting out new shocks brakes and u joints. and tranny serviced.it looks and drives great but has the horrible piston. slap and lifter noise at startup. mine has been serviced and is a pretty truck. any more thoughts. thanks steve
i drove the truck. took it back no heat heater core bypassed brakes make a popping sound. ran great but had the ticking sound and it has i guess it has seen it,s best days. my silverado beat the pants off of it in every way. i will find a good 4 door not in any hurry. thanks everyone
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Good move.
I definitely agree with that.
Good move.
I definitely agree with that.
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Originally Posted By: jgeorge
i drove the truck. took it back no heat heater core bypassed brakes make a popping sound. ran great but had the ticking sound and it has i guess it has seen it,s best days. my silverado beat the pants off of it in every way. i will find a good 4 door not in any hurry. thanks everyone
Sounds like it was driven hard and put away wet. The Lariat-trim trucks are extremely nice. And remain that way when taken care of.
i drove the truck. took it back no heat heater core bypassed brakes make a popping sound. ran great but had the ticking sound and it has i guess it has seen it,s best days. my silverado beat the pants off of it in every way. i will find a good 4 door not in any hurry. thanks everyone
Sounds like it was driven hard and put away wet. The Lariat-trim trucks are extremely nice. And remain that way when taken care of.
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