2000 FORD F SERIES Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

ON MARCH 30, 2014, AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 P.M. (PST) MY 2000 FORD F-150 UNEXPECTEDLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY BLACK SMOKE AND FIRE COULD BE SEEN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE FIRE ENGULFED THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MELTING ALL THE PLASTIC, WIRING AND THE AIR INTAKE AREA. THE FIRE MELTED EVERYTHING NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HOUSING. *TR

SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT ON 2000 F150 5.4 TRITON ENGINE. DAMAGING COIL AND HEAD. RELEASING FUEL MIXTURE INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR POTENTIAL EXPLOSION. *TR

A FEW WEEKS BACK, I NOTICED A SLIGHT TICKING SOUND. IN CHECKING INTO THIS, IT WAS THOUGHT TO BE A LIFTER OR ROCKER ARM. TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE TRAVELING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 55 MPH, I BLEW THE #4 PLUG RIGHT OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUTTON FORD IN MATTESON, IL, WHERE I WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $3668 PLUS TAX TO FIX THE ENGINE. THIS IS LUDICROUS! I AM EXPECTED TO PAY THIS MUCH MONEY FOR A FORD DESIGN ISSUE! I CAN GET ANOTHER ENGINE FOR SLIGHTLY MORE THAN THAT! HECK, I CAN GET A DECENT COMMUTER CAR FOR THAT MUCH MONEY! IN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A SOMEWHAT COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS TRITON ENGINES. I ALSO FOUND AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF FIXING THE ENGINE WHICH ONLY COST ME $350, OF WHICH...

1. BRAKE ROTORS SERVICED 7 TIMES(THE 3RD. NEW SET OF ROTORS IS CURRENTLY ON FRONT). 2. EXTERIOR PAINT FAILED AND REQUIRED REPAINTING. 3. FRONT BALL JOINTS FAILED. 4. FRONT HUBS FAILED. 5. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. 6. WATER PUMP FAILED. 7. SUSPENSION BUSHING FAILED. 8. 3 OF 4 STOCK TIRES DEVELOPED BULGES. 9. CURRENTLY THERE ARE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS DEVELOPING IN THE FRONT AND THE HUBS DO NOT ENGAGE AUTOMATICALLY.

2000 FORD F-150 4.6L V-8. BLOWN SPARK PLUG. FORD DEALER CLAIMS THAT FORD WILL NOT APPROVE A A REPAIR AND EITHER THE HEAD ($3,000) OR THE MOTOR ($5000) NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS NO OFFICIAL TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT UNOFFICIALLY, IT SEEMS THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SINCE THE DEALER PUT A "SPECIAL NOTE" ON THE QUOTE FROM FORD REGARDING THE UNAPPROVED REPAIR WORK ABOVE. FROM VARIOUS INTERNET SEARCHES, OTHERS HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH FORD 4.6, 5.4 OR V-10 MOTORS WITH SPARK PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF ALUMINUM HEADS.