Hello everyone!

I'm looking at a 2000 F250 6.8 V10 truck. It looks pretty decent to me (not a mechanic) but I would like to make sure. Is there anyone in the San Diego / Oceanside / Southern LA region you would recommend for a pre-purchase inspection? Or are those on-site inspections trustworthy?

Thanks
Cent

 

Welcome to FTE!


I don't know anyone down SD way, and in fact, I would be hard pressed to come up with a name that I trusted up in LAC either.


But thinking this through, if you buy this truck, who will be your mechanic for ongoing work? I'm assuming you won't do your own work, since you pointed out that you are not a mechanic.


I think I would point you toward a local Ford dealership near you. One thing I always want to see on a used Ford is the Oasis report. This is a Ford record of all warranty work that was done on any Ford vehicle by any Ford dealership. Obviously this truck is out of warranty, but the report would still be good to see the early track record. You can only get this from a Ford dealer. They can also review any recalls or TSB's that have been done or may need to be done.


Check Yelp for reviews of the dealers in your area. I know Ken Grody has a store in SD. That's where I go for gasser work around here. I've generally been pleased, except for diesel related stuff.


If I recall correctly, the pre-'05 V10 are the ones that blow spark plugs, or is it stripped threads in the head when you attempt to change them??? This is something I would want to brush up on and have checked out. Conceivably it still has the original plugs if the mileage is lowish. Consider insisting the selling dealer get them changed out before you buy. I would be really nervous about pulling 18 year old spark plugs, even though they are good for 100k miles.

 

Welcome Cent,

I have a call into my Brother-In-Law who lives in SD county and uses local indy shops there. I let you know what he says.

 

PM Sent.