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2000 Ford F-250 Super Duty Problems and Solutions
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Comments
Timing is always measured starting from when #1 piston is at TDC on the compression stroke. Check to see if the mark on the damper indicates correctly when the engine is set in this position. Also check that the distributer gear isn't off by a tooth. The rotor arm should be pointing at #1 post on the cap when the engine's at TDC as detailed above.
Good luck.
http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0411/09/b01-328882.htm
Yeah a lot of Superduties have issue of pulsating brakes. The pulsation is result of heating up the brakes and causing the rotors to distort in some fashion. Has vehicle been used for towing? If so, long downhills with brakes applied can cause them to overheat and results in warping.
Another cause could be the Brake Caliper sticking just a miniscule amount and not allowing the pads to retract fully. As a result the pad drags ever so slightly on the rotor and causes abberations in its surface that eventually translate into pulsations on regular braking.
Basically, if you've got a caliper problem, you can turn the rotors and it will stop the pulsing symptoms at least for a while. However, seems a lot of Superduty owners report the problem returns 5-10K miles later. They only fixed the symptom and not the cause of the problem. In this case the brake caliper needs some help. Many times the fix is as simple as to make sure caliper is free from any rust , that the slide pins are moving freely, that the brake piston can travel through it's full range, and especially that all moving brake parts are properly lubed.
If pulsing doesn't go away, people report needing both new calipers and rotors - preferably ones that are extra good at dissipating heat.
I've been lucky with my truck - no pulsing problems whatsoever. (Ruptured a brake line once and got a real thrill when I tried to stop the beast.)
Put on new pads, turned front rotors slightly, and cleaned and lubed the calipers about 3 months ago, and so far so good.
That is just the tip of the iceberg. Now you know that Consumers' Report is not trustworthy. But remember, sloppy and erroneous statistics works both ways.
Dusty
"Reliability is an important concern for the new-car buyer, but a difficult quality to discern. CR's annual reliability surveys can help. Our latest survey, conducted in the spring of 2004, yielded information on 810,000 vehicles spanning the 1997 to 2004 model years. By looking at these data for past model years, we can predict how current models are likely to hold up."
CR 2004
So in other words, the reliability calculated for the new F-150 is based on data collected from its release until the spring of this year. The only thing I don't think is right about Consumer Reports, is that with cars and car companies that have typically been very reliable i.e. Toyota and Honda, get a reliability score as soon as they leave the factory with a new design. With domestic car makers in particular, they stick a "NEW" in the reliability spot for their new vehicles. IMHO, all cars should get a "NEW." This being because Honda and even Toyota have released vehicles that have turned out to have more trouble than CR predicted, which no doubt misled people to buying one of those vehicles. It just isn't necessary to give vehicles a reliability rating until they have some kind of record with a particular model.
To address another CR gripe. I hear people constantly say that their vehicle has been either much better or much worse than the reliability rating that CR gave their vehicle. This has been the case with even some of my vehicles (usually they are much better than CR would suggest), however the reliability ratings are just averages. So there will be vehicles out there that will bring the average down, and others that will bring the average down. I had a 1990 Dodge Caravan for 12 years. It had the 3.0L V6 and the Ultradrive 4-speed auto and the combo was a bomb according to CR. Instead the van went to 180,000 miles with very little trouble and never broke down, but a lot of burnt oil. However, everyone else in my family that owned one has had many issues with the engine and transmission on their vans. Just an example:)
Anyway, maybe this will clear some stuff up, maybe it wont. Comments anyone?
I'd love to get a new Ford truck, but Ford's many faceted approach to massaging warranty figures, and the local level dealers inability to fix recurring problems, completely scares me away from getting that new F series I hanker after.
I was lucky enough to buy a new F150 in '93 when Ford seemed to have its act together in both engineering and quality control. Sadly, I feel I'd need the luck of a lottery winner to get a similar vehicle today.
I agree, but they (CR) would need a whole other magazine to describe just a fraction of how that works. The thought is very cool however. A major flaw that I am not sure about how Consumer Reports deals with, is perception of problems and of brand loyalty and brand imaging. What I mean is, when a brand is imaged as being of high quality, then if a consumer encounters a problem with that "high quality" piece, they may think it is just a fluke and not report it as being a big deal on their annual CR questionnaire. Dealership experience also caused similar problems. If the dealership kisses your foot every time you have a problem, then it is possible that you might be less likely to report the problem. In reality, this should probably be more of a customer satisfaction issue, in which CR asks you, "what is the likeliness that you would purchase this vehicle again?" However, since the product is perceived to be of high quality, the problem may never get reported because in the mind of the consumer "this vehicle just doesn't have problems, my car is unique for having this issue."
If you do want a new F-150 there are many indicators that it is actually doing very well. I am just going to give you a few facts that I have run across.
Problem areas that I have seen with the new F-150 are mostly on 4x4 models and the issue(s) is/are vibration, and interior noises. That is pretty much it as far as consistent issues.
In CR along with their new reliability ratings are the customer satisfaction ratings. The biggest issue(s) in customer satisfaction with the new F-150 has been 1) Not enough power 2)13MPG average gas Mileage. With these two things in mind, the F-150 still gets very good customer satisfaction.
By todays ratings, the new F-150 would be much more reliable than your 93 would have been. Though if your 93 itself was close to perfect, then that would probably be hard to replicate, even today. When I say today's ratings, I mean that with the averages for today are better than they were then. For instance a truck back in the early 1990's that earned an average reliability rating, would today (if it were brand new) have a much worse than average reliability, because each year that the reliability average goes up, the bar is raised.
If you know you have a good Ford Service Dept. around that is half the problem solved. The other half of the problem (how good/bad the vehicle actually turns out to be) is much harder to find a solution to, seeing as how each vehicle, with each manufacturer is a gamble. Luck of the draw I guess. FWIW, the 2WD 2004 F-150 is the most reliable domestic pickup with an average reliability rating. However, the 4x4 version of the same truck is the least reliable pickup overall, but not by a huge margin. If Ford does with the F-150 like it does with the rest of its vehicles, both versions will be average by spring or this time next year.
Sorry for the long post, I didn't mean to type your ears off. Just a lot of information to convey.
You may be confusing reliabiltiy with build quality or overall satisfaction. Reliability is number of problems encountered per vehicle, or expense of repairs, whatever the criteria. I don't think anyone has established that reliabiltiy has increased for Ford over the last ten years, that's really the heart of the debate.
That's the problem.............. I don't want to spend $30k+ for a truck that just about manages to pull itself up to 'average'!
Understood:) I don't blame you, though if you are looking for a truck, the only option you have above average is the Tundra, next most reliable after that is the 2WD F-150. I wish there was some way I could post that stuff from CR here, but that isn't possible, at least I don't think. Anyway, maybe the new F-150 will reach the better than average marks that the previous generation 1997-2003 F-150's trucks did?
Wijoco:
Respectfully, I don't think that I have the two confused. Over the past 10 and 20 years especially, all domestic automakers have become much more reliable (this being based on CR information). This can also be shown in JD Powers "initial" and "long-term" quality scores, though in an indirect way since reliability and quality are different in that a quality constructed car i.e. Audi line, can have poor reliability. If Ford reliability stayed the same or decreased over the past 10 years overall, Fords market share would most likely be decreasing rapidly (it has increased since July I do believe (15.00% in July to 16.60% now).
As for averages increasing since the early 1990's: What I mean is that as cars become more and more reliable (and they have) the average grows. So, say you bought a GMC Safari back in 1992, and when you purchased it, it had a reliability rating of average. Since GM has done very little to that van since then, with only tweaks to the engine, transmission and body. It now has much worse than average reliability, because it continued on with close to the same parts and quality to this date. Ford in contrast, has not done much to update its Econoline van since 1991 when the new body came out. However, it has received new engines and transmissions since then. It used to float between much worse than average reliability and worse than average, though despite the increased in averages over the past 13 years for that vehicle class, it now almost makes it to better than average reliability. Sorry these are the best examples I could think of.
Anyway, this will either prove my point, or bring about more confusion, hehe.
2004 f150 lariat 4X2 5.4
LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS DO LOTS OF OTHERS.tHE SELLING DEALER ASKED ME TO GIVE FORD 3 MONTHS TO COME UP WITH A FIX AND THEY WOULD EITHER GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK OR ANOTHER VEHICLE.
OTHER PERSONS WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT I KNOW ABOUT ADVED THE FOLLOWING: ONE PERSON SAID THE DEFECTIVE VECHICLE PROCEDURE WORKED FOR HIM,AFTYER 10 MONTHS GOT HIS MONEY BACK FOR EVERYTHING INCLUDING A BED LINER AND OTHER ITEMS HE HAD INSTALLED,(COST HIM A LITTLE FOR THE MILEAGE 13,000 MILES) ANOTHER PARTY WAS SUCCESSFUL IN TRADING FOR A F-250 COST HIM ABOUT $2,500 BUT IT HAD MORE STUFF THAN THE 150. SEVERAL YEARS AGO I HAD THE SAME REAR END PROBLEM WITH A USED CAR (MERCURY)AND AFTER TWO SETS OF GEARS, I INSTALLED A USED REAR END AND NO MORE NOISE.
I OWNED A GARAGE IN THOSE DAYS AND WAS DETERMINED TO FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I FINALLY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THE REAR END HOUSING WAS IMPROPERLY BORED IN RELATION TO THE PINION AND RING GEAR SUPPORTS EVEN THO THE PATTERN ON THE GEARS LOOKED GOOD, UNDER LOADING THEY DISTORTED AND CAUSED A HOWL. IT TELESCOPED THE NOISE UP THE DRIVE SHAFT WHERE IT BECAME OFFENSIVE. I ALSO HAVE A VIBRATION ON THE THROTTLE PEDAL AT 30 TO 45 UNDER LOAD,A MOTOR SO NOISY IT SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL AND A VERY ROUGH IDLE COMPARED TO MY 2001 5.4 CLUB CAB. (WISH I HAD IT BACK). I HAVE BEEN A FORD MAN ALL MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD A REASON TO COMPLAIN OTHER THAN TO THE DEALER. I CAN'T BELIEVE SOMEONE HASN'T STARTED A CLASS ACTION SUIT.
OTHER THAN THAT IT'S A GREAT TRUCK, GOOD RIDE, ACCELERATION,16 HIGHWAY MILES PER GALLON. I HAVE ALMOST 3000 MILES ON IT AND WILL MAKE YOU A HECK OF A DEAL IF YOU ARE STILL IN THE MARKET?
gas is now $2.30 gal in CA
ugh
It's interesting that a major thrust of the advertising for the '04 F150 centers on the smooth ride (outboard shocks), and the quiet cab ('Quiet Metal' dash).............. the very things that most complaints seem to focus on!
Incidentally, I think your diagnosis of the rear end problems is on the right track. It's either that or a distortion of the housing under load, or possibly a weird harmonics issue.
This F-150 has had it's rear slider glass replaced and resealed. There is a squeak coming from the steering column. A rattle from the rear view mirror housing. A suspicious sound coming from the dash under the passenger side air bag that sounds like a nest of birds up in there.
Although no vehicle can be problem or squeak free, they shouldn't advertise something that is not totally accurate.
I should have bought the TITAN.
However, I think you're being pretty optimistic to wish for truthful advertising!
Mac24:
If you are looking for reasons NOT to buy the F-150, what better place to look than a F-150 Problems board? Where this place has a whole whopping 790 posts since it was started in Dec of 2000. This number including many solutions to problems, and help from other posters.
To be honest, I frequent this board in the hopes of hearing that Ford has found a fix for the recurring problems that are becoming evident on the new F150.
Not only are those problems being reported here, but also extensively elsewhere on the web. Further, five of the seven owners I know personally are experiencing either axle noise, vibes, dash creaks and rattles, or a combination thereof. There are two local dealers, neither of whom can provide a fix. Apparently Ford know of the problem and are working on a fix. The trouble is, this has been the answer for several months. Vehicles continue to be sold, the same problems continue to surface.
As you say, the number of posts (here) is small compared to the number of trucks sold. However, if these NVH posts were just a small part of the random problems that every manufacturer has, why aren't we seeing an equal number of complaints about mirrors, seats, electrics, transmissions, engines, etc., etc.
Ford used to be able to build trucks without these basic problems, so why shouldn't I feel put out that they can't manage it now? I want to be proud of the truck I buy. I want to buy a Ford. At the moment, unfortunately, I can't reconcile those two statements.
On Quantity doesn't equal Quality, I do believe this to be true, however it is often the case that Quality does equal Quantity. In that a higher quantity is sold because it is passed on or perceived that the vehicle has higher quality. For instance, Toyota Camry is the best selling car in the U.S., mostly likely because it is of high quality and reliability. Same goes for the Honda Civic, Ford Escape, Ford Ranger, Ford Explorer and other best sellers of the auto industry segments.
Anyway, I was just offering that whole example (why F-150 is the best selling vehicle) as a reason why it (the F-150) might not be as bad as it seems. If you want another source of feedback on the F-150, go to the "New" car tab at the top of edmunds here and select "Ford" and then the F-150. There you can read hundreds of owners experiences. It seems for the most part that owners are very satisfied (9.2 score out of 10).
Just some thoughts, I wish you the best with your truck dilemma. I am sure sooner or later you will find the right ride:) As for Ford, maybe next time?
Technological changes and problems per vehicle are not the same. If anything, an increase in changes increases the probability of quality mistakes. The Astro and Econoline example doesn't wash (partly because you're wrong about the Astro being unchanged). Again, "quality" or "customer satisfaction" ratings are not the same as reliability/problems per vehicle.
"If Ford reliability stayed the same or decreased over the past 10 years overall, Fords market share would most likely be decreasing rapidly (it has increased since July I do believe (15.00% in July to 16.60% now)."
How, to prove your point, do you say "If...past 10 years, then...past 6 months"??? Huh?
Ford's market share HAS decreased over the past ten years!
The whole problem is that automotive technology is changing at a faster rate each year. The treadmill is not only spinning faster each year, it's increasing *at a faster rate*. The Japanese have perfected their processes to the point that they can keep up with the changes and still maintain their quality. Americans are improving their processes, but still can't keep up with the higher rate of change. They're running faster and still losing ground.
I am not sure why you think that I keep referring to customer satisfaction however. If that was what I was referring to, the average would have stayed the same for both vehicles (Safari and Econoline) My point was, that if you could take a brand new 1992 Safari, and a 1992 Econoline van, they would be less reliable than a unit made today in 2004 with both of them being close to the way they were then (again, not completely the same, but very close). Call me an optimist if you like, but all domestic automakers have improved their quality over the past 10 years. I gave a couple of examples to back this up (JD power reliability, and Consumer Reports).
As for this comment:
'How, to prove your point, do you say "If...past 10 years, then...past 6 months"??? Huh?
Ford's market share HAS decreased over the past ten years!'
Good question, bad comparison.
You are correct about Fords market share decreasing over the past 10 years. Though than happens when competitors grow as well. Honda, Toyota, Kia, Hundai, are all now much bigger than they were before due to increased product offerings, and yes of coarse, due to higher sales as well. Such is the great world of free trade and competition. All we need is a few hundred more Auto firms and we will have a perfectly competitive car market, were consumers will benefit and auto companies will be making zero economic profit. I don't think that any of the Big 3 automakers will ever see market share like they did even just 15 years ago. Anyway, I like a good challenge, even if it means I am wrong sometimes. Keeps the old noggin from turning to mush. Catch you later Wijoco
What's it worth? I have no idea. Go into the used car valuation section here at Edmunds and see what it says.
But that's the definition of market share. It's a percentage of 100, not number of vehicles sold. Ford loses, someone else gains. Now if you're talking cause and effect here, like "Did customers walk away from Ford or did they walk towards Toyota?" then that's another story. Based on my own personal experience and talking with a lot of other current and past Ford owners, quality is at least part of the problem.
I guess it has a lot to do with what vehicles you are talking about. Only rotten 1990's Ford vehicle I am aware of is the 1995-1997 Windstar.
More Recently the 2000-2002 Focus, and the 2001 Escape.
Do it in a King Ranch or Lariat trim. What do you think guys would this not be a cheap (they already have the engine) and easy way of fixing this mess?
Just suggesting thats all. I know its the best, just not the fastest. But Ford can fix that.
If you want more power - order an F150 XLT with an 8' bed. That allows you to order the "heavy payload package" and gives you the 5.4L V8 with the 4.10:1 rear end. The 5.4 with the higher rear end ratio, should move out quite well in the F150.
If you want the Lariat or King Ranch trim, then you'll have to come up with $ to change out the rear end with aftermarket gears,
A friend has an 04 reg cab and it already has a grove in the front rotors before he reached 3k miles.
I'm going to make sure I report it with my next oil change cause I had a friend tell me his '02 needed new rotors after 15k miles. Ford told him "it happens" - wound up being a $500 brake job.
Rear end of 4x4's (2004) is messed up!!!
There were service bulletins to road force all wheels/tires, the max force variation was 10 pounds or less, otherwise if would be felt in the steering, plus some adjustments in the rack & pinion assembly.
I test drove 3 Toyota Tundra(s) 4X4 before I got Ford, they had the same vib sickness. Look in the Tundra board, search for the word vibration or shimmy, you will be surprised. I got a new 5.4L F-150 4X2 SupCr back in August (this year), I have already got 11k miles on it, no vib problems & I have not balanced or rotated the tires.
AL.
can I believe a car dealer would sell you a car without telling you there might be a problem?
why yes - you're talking about one of the lower common species that walk the planet.
what do you mean by "scared"?
and why isn't is covered by the "brake" warranty?
btw; I've never heard of a brake warranty - where did you find info. on that?