This could be considered a rant but don't take it that way.
Most of the info given here is pretty good, but some are only opinions and best guess solutions. Without seeing or hearing the problem you could miss a proper diagnostics. I'm probably luckier than most and have grown up fixing and dealing with vehicles all my life and have old timers in the business of fixing them which I can go to with a problem I can't figure out. I also know that some of the questions are from folks that have no idea how to ask the question or shouldn't even have a wrench in their hands. But at least they are trying to understand and save some money. Giving these folks info could be dangerous if you know what I mean.

I also think there should be a sub section under each forum for SOLUTIONS to problems. I know that folks that do find a solution to a problem never come back here to let us all know what the solution was. Its to bad because a data base of solutions could be very helpful. Or maybe I'm not using the SEARCH function right to find these solutions.

I'm only expressing these concerns because I haven't always got the right answer to the questions I have asked. I have examples but won't go into them. I'm not blaming anyone, but take the info you get here for what its worth. Like I said earlier most is good info. But how much info you get outside this forum is right? Probably not much. Go with your instinct and good luck.

 

I will chime in saying that I didn't know much when I got here a couple years back and now I'm the one dealing out advise... Then again I've always known my way around tools and how to use them... I add new knowledge everyday...

However there are many topics that are very repetative. There should be a quick guide or list of problems and then the links to the appropriate forum with the solution/fix to the problem. I think the overall problem is the terrible search engine that doesn't bring up relavant threads on here... I usually have to use a google search to find the right thread with the right info in it...

I guess we have to keep in mind most people on here aren't subscribers and thus don't pay for the ability to use this site... Takes $$$ to fix problems... or someones free time...

Also keep in mind the Reputation Points (ie the little red heart) is very under used... People showing good reps and 10000 posts are probably a really good source of info... someone with under 2500 posts may or may not be a good source of info... I include myself becayse there are plenty of times people caught me telling bad info (mostly because I try to help with trucks newer than mine and different engines than mine...). My point is that you need to be sure of the information quality through reputation. I trust Conanski, NumberDummy, ArdWrknTrk, etc because they always have quality advice that can be trusted.

IF you want to make sure of the info you are getting... Start making friends that you trust and add them to your User CP so you can go to them with the important questions! Speaking of which I am going to add a few more friends!

 

You also have to remember there may also be many ways that someones problem that they are experiencing can be solved. Take for example "high/surging idle" which is a very common problem with our trucks. Someone could write a 100 page book on the causes and cures and still leave out a piece of vital information that may fix member "X's" truck. Just because you offer your experiences for a fix that does not cure a certain problem doesn't make it wrong, it's just not the particular cure. Keep in mind though that there are certain criteria that must be met(ie>sensor parameters).

Library's are nice, but I prefer to see others input and experiences. You never know when you may overlook the obvious or the stupidest thing will fix the problem. Even though some subjects may get redundant, you never know when someone will chime in with the magic pill.

I admit, I wish folks would come back and report their fix instead of disappearing leaving the ones interested hanging.

To a new user rep points can be very deceiving. It takes a while to learn who's advice to trust and who got theirs in a popularity contest...lol.

 

How true and you make good points.

 

All good points thus far. I'd just like to add that if you are seeking help with a problem, make sure you tell us what vehicle you're working on (year; F150, F250, etc.; 2 or 4 wheel drive; 300 I-6, 5.0L...you get the idea).

-Rod

 

yup.
nothing worse than opening a post that says im trying to get ------ working, but it don't work. how can i fix it.
we are not mind readers. and if you have a truck listed in your signature, but are working on someone else's vehicle, don't get bent out of shape when i tell you the Finnegan pin regulator on your 94 diesel is twisted to the left when you are actually working on a 71 pinto.

 

I am a new user to this forum and while newbs are often told to use the search button I have found several 2 page threads with no resolution. If your going to seek help it would be the least you could do to report how the problem is solved otherwise this site looses a lot of value to others reading.

 

As your reading the different threads you'll soon discover that there are quite a few experts that are current or former Ford mechanics that offer solid advice and even factory info or "how to's", some like me have been fixing my personal and friends vehicles for many years and will chime in if they have actually dealt with the issue that started the thread. Some folks will retell some one elses "fix" or just want to increase their post count with a quess.
Personally I'll use the forums as a starting point and do further research on the links. This and other forums have been a big help in saving time and money, neither of which I have enough of.
Regards
Rikard

 

I've been part of FTE for quite a while. I remember when I first came here not knowing all that much about our trucks. It does feel kinda weird now that I try to help with the info and knowledge I have gained from this site and also just experience in general.

Its kinda like cruise night on Saturday with the 65 Mustang. Back in high school, I was the young one that was asking questions. Now 15 years later I am the one being asked the questions. LOL...

I too wish more people would post back when they have found a solution to their problem. That would make every forum much better. Its hard to make people do that though.

I agree the hearts feature is not used enough. I forget about it at times as well.

I agree the search function on here does not work all that great. You have to use advanced search, and it still doesn't always work so great.

I think there should be more stickys pretaining to tech threads etc. For example when someone does a great write up and has tons of pictures. Often those should be linked to in a sticky.

 

I'd be willing to make the stickys... IF i am able to, and if someone would tell me how!

 

i'm new to these forums, joined last june. i was trying to find info on i6 after buying a 87f150. the thing i liked best around here[including i6 forum], is the way several different people will post their opinions & expertise. every once in a while i'll throw in $.02 worth, if i see someone with problems similar to ones i've experienced, or see posts giving no real answers