This is an update on my 2004 F-150, I have been having what appeared to be an exhaust problem but after I put a muffler on it made no difference. The truck has progressively gotten worse, it will barely get up over 3000 rmps anymore, the check engine light is on and she is not a happy truck!!!! I have another appointment at Philips Ford in Manheim on the 16th, I just hoping she makes it that long..... We can send people to the moon, build missiles that will knock the coffee cup out of your hand from a billion miles away, but no one can seem to figure out what is wrong with my truck.... I'm not bashing anyone that may work on Fords as a profession, I wouldn't know the first thing about fixing a problem like this, it's just frustrating...... this truck has been looked at 7 times... 7.... 7 damn times! The best part about this is that I have 17 days or 1300 miles let on my warranty, when they say 3 years or 36000 miles they ain't kidin"!!<O</O

 

I'd say you have a right to be angry with that much shop time accumulated. But it really sounds to me you need to take it to a competent shop, though. I mean...c'mon...a muffler keeping the truck from reving above 3000rpm??? I might believe there could be a 1 in a million chance that something would break loose inside a 36,000 mile muffler and cover the outlet, but that would be way way down on my list. Even if it was, what does it take, like one minute to disconnect the muffler and see if it runs like a champ. What code is the CEL showing? That should have a troubleshooting process associated with it.

Either way, I would hope that since the problems started in warranty, you should be covered if they persist as the warranty ends. Sort of a 'pre-existing condition'

Good Luck

 

Thank you, I need it. My truck has an after market exhaust on it without a muffler..... The 3rd time it was in they said that that is not my problem, so that’s in writing, but after 3 more visits they said that I don't have enough back pressure.... and that I should put a muffler on it.... Did that and it only got worse, I barely made it to work this morning.... But after all the hoops I've had to jump through I'm going to run it until it blows the hell up, then they can replace the entire engine. TOO BAAAD!!

 

Do you still have the cats on it? Perhaps in all of the exhaust replacment ect...the cats got fouled...have they checked or replaced them?
-Chris

 

Yep, I have brand new cats too, I think that was the four or fifth time I took it to the dealership.....

 

Well then,
At this point Id be lookin to talk to someone at Ford higher than the dealership like a Ford rep and ask them why their own techs are having so much trouble solving an issue on one of their own vehicles.

Youre probably in for an uphill battle unfortuantely...this close to the end of the warranty theyll fight ya tooth and nail to do as little work as possible.

Lots of states have so called "Lemon Laws" that can be helpful so you may want to look into something along those lines as a backup.

Personally, if it were me as the owner Id be wondering why they havent been able to tell me what it is thats doing it for certain. I hope you havent paid anything outta pocket in this whole mess have ya?
-Chris

 

is there another dealer you could take it too?

 

No, everything has been under warranty so far, is there a number I can call to get in touch with someone higher up? How would I go about doing that?

 

It's been to 3 different dealerships.....

 

Dealerships usually have reps that stop by on a regular basis from what I understand...you can ask when they are in and have a chat with them...aside from that you can contact Ford directly and explain whats going on and how you've been getting the run around from your dealership...that should get the ball rolling a bit faster...

There should be some info along those lines in the owners manual I believe...or on your warranty paperwork if you have any left. Or even the Ford website for that matter

Hope it helps,
-Chris

 

Thanks again, this is getting a little stressful.

 

Ya dealing with dealers always is...just wait till you have a vehicle without a warranty...thats when the fun really begins lol.

You dont even want to know what I had to go through to get the studs replaced on my moms 03 Explorer....the Independant Rear Suspension can only be taken apart by a proprietary Ford tool so it makes it impossible to get it worked on by anyone other than a Ford dealership. Its the little things they dont tell ya when youre looking at buying that get ya...
-Chris

 

Believe me when I say I love the F-150s and I have loved the 2 previous Fords I've owned (F-150 and Explorer Sport) but if this deal goes bad I might be going with Chevy next time..... Sorry that's bound to **** someone off.

 

Some of my mis guided buddies drives Chevs, and they break occasionally too. All this emissions crap is the culprit. My old '72 starts every time, and when something isnt right, I can find it in 5 minutes. Gas going in the carb?, spark at the wires?, thats just about all it takes. No computers and mystery boxes. When the Russians aim their electrical killing satellites at us, and kills everyones computers, I will be one of the few on the road, hee hee.

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it sounds as if your problem is self induced. When you decided to cut off your stock exhaust system which in fact is considered part of the emissions system by Ford you have in fact voided your warranty. You are fortunate that they are even looking at it. When you buy an aftermarket exhaust system (Borla,Gibson,Dynomax,etc.) they are considered stock replacements.When you cut off mufflers and just put on a home made exhaust system that is not considered a replacement system.Ford and the other after market exhaust companies spend lots of resources on developing these exhaust systems to perform well with these new engines.