I recently purchased a 1995 F250 4x4 reg. cab, 8' bed with 104,000 miles on it. Question is: the body is rust free and everything underneath from the firewall back is pretty clean. The engine compartment is another story, everything that can corrode, has. Tranny cooling lines, brake lines, power steering line fittings and just about every nut bolt and washer are corroded quite badly. Obviously this is going to be a major pain every time something needs to be taken apart. Is this common on an eight year old ford?? I believe it has had a plow since it was new and some local gearheads blame the corrosion on that. Somehow they think driving with the plow on in crappy weather cause a "vacuem" that sucks all the road crap up into the engine compartment. I usually try to keep the engine bay clean, but apparently the previous owner did not or were these trucks built with some sub-standard steel?????? I recently sold a 1998 ---vy with 60,000 on it and it had no corrosion at all, no plow either. Would it do any good to clean it up as best as possible and spray some anti-corrosive treatment on the already corroded parts??? Or just deal with it or go back to ---vy?? The ford seems a lot more solid than the ---vy so I'd like to stick with it.


1995 F250 4X4 351-AUTO:-staun

 

Everything Ford makes is subject to a special salt spray test. It's called the ASTM B117 test. Duration of test varies by component. A 100 hour test is like ten years at the beach. Obviously, you're seeing the results of some harsh chemical attacks with salt or calcium chloride road salt. That chlorine atom likes to eat stuff!

Chances are that the corrosion could continue, unless the process is stopped with a really good engine bay cleaning and some light coating such as a used car dealer might spray on an older vehicle to look nice.

I would definitely keep the Ford, and work to minimize problems underhood.

 

 

My 94 f150 looks the same. The outside looks wonderful however I am not impressed with the rust on the tranny and brake lines. Why doesnt all car manufactures just go to all stainless lines and be done with it! Brakes are a saftey Item and lines should last longer than 10 years in my opinion. I live in WI and keep my truck washed and the underbody flushed regularly however you still get rust!!

 

Oh yeah I forgot-I'll push my ford 10 miles before I'll buy another chevy!!

 

yo,
I saw the same corrosion start right after we bought our 96 Bronco new.
I cleaned the lines and fittings then sprayed with a can of rust preventative that a body shop owner friend gave to me.

Still, it's not as bad as the Chubbie nova that we bought new in 73; the entire rear valence rusted; tail lights were hanging by the gaskets after only 12 months.

 

They're right about a plow at hi-speed causing crap to get sucked up into the engine bay, especially all the salt. Mix some baking soda with water & spray it all over the engine bay, then rinse. That will neutralize most of the corrosives under there. When it dries, wet everything down with WD40 or Liquid Wrench - this is one of the FEW applications that I'd prefer WD40 because the wax in it will shield everything longer. Any time you have to take something loose, apply Anti-Seize lubricant to the fasteners before reinstallation.