I've been a ford fan for many years but I'm not a robot and when they screw up I'm going to call it out. I truly believe the testing of this engine was done on a simulator. Not actual real life driving or hours of running the engine on 87 octane gas, but simulated on a computer! The same way they come up with some of the ridiculous MPG numbers that we will never see unless you drive down hill all the time.

The overall design on "paper/computer" of several components of this engine, I'm sure, worked well. In reality they suck! Real life testing would have brought this to light. Just so you know where I,m coming from; exhaust manifold, spark plugs, cam phazers (spelling) and several other items. I said a short rant!

They either put this crap on the engine knowing it is crap or they did not really test the prototype before manufacturing it. I haven't looked or read about newer Ford trucks but as of now, it would take strong encouragement to make me buy another! Don't know anything about chevy except, my buddy has a 2013 with 5.3 liter and at very least you can get in the engine compartment to work on the thing. They haven't crammed 10 pounds of $@!# in a 5 pound bag!

A few notes: 4x4, passenger side exhaust manifold, better to let the dealer do it! LISLE TOOL "LIS65600 broken spark plug removal tool" thank you for helping us repair fords ignorant design. haven't made it to the passenger side phazer or the differential.

The hits just keep on coming!

 

I am new to this site and the first to admit that I know virtually nothing about engines, however....I do know crap when I smell it. I have had my 2005 for just over 4 years. It has been one thing after another after another. One incident that comes to mind was when both front power windows failed within a day of the other. The Dealer wanted in excess of $700.00 to repair them. I did a little checking on the internet and easily found the needed parts for a third of their price. That put "labor" between $600 and $650. Long story short, Knowing nothing about what I was getting into, I repaired both windows in under one hour for roughly $65.00. Crooks are everywhere. Beware.

 

I know your pain. Here is my list. Pickup purchased 2 1/2 years ago. 71000 miles then.
9/14/2011 73744 new noise?! $37.5
9/17/2011 73842 noise from right front wheel $862
9/23/2011 73850 engine noise, cam phasers $1262
9/23/2011 73850 spark plugs (all broke upon removal)$535
11/14/2011 75200 tonneau cover 275
5/27/2012 79115 new engine belt 41
6/15/2012 79345 ball joint, rotors surface, $824
8/4/2012 80856 replace front rotors $ 80
8/6/2012 80941 replace rear rotors $120
4/17/2013 86252 noise from left front, see note $1596.12

I will concede some wear and tear repairs. 91,000 miles currently. Around 5000 dollars in repairs that go back to poor parts, or engineering. Worst Ford I've owned in that regard. I had an 81 F 150 once, with an inline six that had a few issues, but nothing like this. I also had a 1991 F150 with an inline 6 that blew this 2004 away on repair issues. If the old girl wouldn't have rusted away to nothing I would have kept it. On the plus side, this 2004 is tight in regards to cab, body etc. No rattling, rides way nicer than my 2001 Taurus, has plenty of power for what I do. Plan to drive it for a long time, just a little sour about all the fixin in the last two years.

 

My rant is meant to be toward fmc for the lack of testing or the testing and sticking it to there customers anyway.

 

Sorry guys, this is a tech forum, not a therapist forum where you can vent your emotions on what you don't like regarding the '04 - '08 F150.

Stewart