I have a 2015 Ford F150 XLT with the V8 5.0 Coyote Engine. I’ve had it 2 years. It has 161,000 miles on it.

Last December I had timing issues and had to replace the timing assembly and 2 cam phasers.

About a month ago, it started misfiring, idling rough and throwing “cam position sensor” codes. I replaced the one it was complaining about, no difference. It also blew a heater hose as well and had to get that fixed.

I took it to the Ford dealer to have them diagnose the codes, and they eventually came back and said it looks to be timing issues again and more cam phaser issues, or there is something mechanically wrong with the engine and it may need replacing.

By a stroke of either bad luck or something…my truck was sitting outside at the Ford dealer while it was being serviced and on Monday they called me to tell me someone vandalized it over the weekend, tore the transmission pan off and stole the valve body. I went and looked and took pictures.

I’m currently in the middle of getting an insurance claim processed on it to see what the damage is, knowing full well I have a separate timing/engine issue.

I’m looking at thousands of dollars in repairs and I still owe on it and I do not have gap insurance.

In someone’s honest opinion, what should I do with this truck. A lot depends on how the insurance claim will come out, I know.

Should I look to get out from under this truck or look for a new engine somewhere instead?

I just need some guidance.

Thanks!!
Matt

 

Welcome to FTE mwtallman,

Get a rebuilt transmission, the 6 speeds are relatively inexpensive right now. Then find a nice, low mileage 5.0 out of a 2017 or older, as the 2018s and newer are nearly a completely different engine, and have it swapped in to replace your worn out one. You may get lucky and find a low mile 5.0/auto combo, and be able to save even more. Most used engines and transmissions aren't sold together though.

Sorry you're in a jam like this with a 10 year old truck. After the work is done, get an extra job to get the truck paid for a quickly as possible. You're going to put about $8k into it, so might as well get another 100k miles out of it. And yeah, it will need brakes, shocks, tires, etc along the way. Just don't get duped into trading it upside down for a higher payment, on a truck that isn't much better.

 

I'd source another valve body and find a different garage.

 

You can use this search engine to find a transmission and engine in a salvage yard near you.

http://www.car-part.com/

Make sure you contact the police if you haven't already. The dealership that has your truck needs to cover the damages to the transmission.

 

Good advice

 

Before you put yourself in deeper debt because of the vandalism to your truck you should consider having a conversation with an attorney. Every state's laws are different but in many states, once you hand the keys over to the service department and sign the paperwork authorizing them to do anything to your vehicle, they have a duty to provide a reasonable amount of security for your property. It doesn't sound like an open, unguarded lot would constitute a reasonable amount of security. Even if they point to signs saying that they are not responsible for theft or damage to your property those signs have little legal standing.

They just don't want to have to file a claim with their insurance company for allowing your property to be vandalized. Worst case scenario - take them to small claims court. It costs little or nothing to file, you represent yourself, and I'd imagine that they would rather not have the bad publicity not to mention a judgement found against them.

 

State by state I guess. Here in Texas, every shop has a sign stating they are not responsible for theft or vandalism to vehicles that are on their property. I find it odd though that it was on the dealer's property and that, of all things, the valve body was taken.

 

I would agree that no number of disclaimer signs posted would over ride the laws of the state you're in. It is highly likely that the dealer is responsible for the damage to your vehicle, you need to determine that. If it turms out the dealer is responsible they will likely just fix t themselves rather than file a claim for a used valve body and installation, as the installa tion will cost them next to nothing.

 

Very unusual theft, and a suspicious place for it to happen, but no point making yourself crazy over it.

 

If it is timing issue again it should be under warranty unless they happen to find something else wrong that they didn't fix last time.
Hopefully insurance will help with the 'stolen' transmission parts.

 

Update: My insurance claims dept. sent an inspector to view the damage to the transmission and they are going to cover the costs for fixing it. They estimated around $3800 for the job. I’m scheduling a sit down meeting with the Ford dealership shop manager to discuss this. I don’t know if that is just replacing the valve body or a new/rebuilt transmission.

That still leaves me with the timing problem, which busting all that open to look is a 10-14 hour job. I already went through this in December, but that work was done at another shop and I don’t think they would refund or warranty that work specifically.

I’m looking around for a new engine and I may tow it to another shop for the timing/engine work, but may have to get the transmission fixed where it’s at, depending on how my insurance will cut the check.

So, somewhat good news, but still not enough to fix the whole thing and get this truck running again.

Thanks to everyone who’s responded and replied. I’ve read each one and you’ve all given me some things to check on and think about.

 

That price should be for a rebuilt unit, not installed.

 

At least the insurance is going to cover the transmission damage.

You mentioned that you replaced a coil and it didn't cure the drivability problem. Did you replace the coil boot too?

My father had a check engine light on his 2018 6.2l F250. He replaced the coil packs but it wasn't until he also replaced the coil boots/springs that the problem was cured.

 

I just replaced coil packs. Ignition 1 was misfiring. After I replaced it, that particular code went away.

ANOTHER UPDATE: I have found (or the technician did) that the engine has an oil pressure issue once it gets to a certain temperature and runs awhile. This issue causes the cam phasers to stick and throw all the codes I’m getting as well as causing timing issues and the like. It’s still at the Ford Dealer where it was vandalized, as I got them to tear into the timing issues, free of charge. The lead technician diagnosed it, checked oil pump, VCT, all codes, as well as opening the timing assembly.

They concluded the engine needs replacing, they do not know why the cam phasers are sticking, don’t know if there’s sludge in the engine or not…but since I’ve spent an ungodly amount of money already on the truck and I’m upside down on my loan, I opted to put in a new engine. It was the cheapest, long term route.

I was able to get a Jasper Coyote engine for a bit cheaper than the Ford dealership quoted, so I went that route.

The truck is done and I should be able to pick it up tomorrow. They are test driving today.

Thanks,
Matt

 

I sure have to wonder if the phaser screens were clogged or for whatever reason caused the issues at that certain temperature.