Hi all this is my first post as i am now an owner of a 1995 ford which i bought 4 days ago.. Everything is pretty decent except one thing that the previous owner failed to mention upon purchasing. First i will start with the basics 1995 F-150 XLT with the 5.8 engine and an automatic transmisson and 120,000miles. It runs great but at slower speeds 10-30 when i realease the gas it sometimes clunks and then something sounds as if its rattling underneath when i take my foot off the gas and it coasts at low speeds.. Not sure what this could be but its very annoying. Any help in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.. Also the truck seemed neglected and i am just wondering what a truck like this would need to be tuned up? I changed the oil and engine filter but what else would a truck with this milage and age need? I am sorry for my lack of knowledge as i have never owned a truck like this.. Thank you--- Jared

 

Could be an exhaust shield, common to crack and rattle against the exhaust. I would also inspect the radius arm bushings and brackets if they are intact. You can also see the exhaust shield at the back in the picture.

 

Also it might be time for new spark plugs and wires if they have not been done, as well as a distributor cap and rotor. Test the anti freeze if its clean and properly mixed, change air filter if needed and inspect the condition of the transmission fluid, should be clean and red. If murky and brown and smells burnt, might be time for a flush and filter change. That also goes for the differential fluid in the rear and front if you have 4x4.

 

Thanks greatly appreciate it.. Would changing the cap and spark plugs be a do it yourself? Ive only really changed oil and done brakes but im not afraid to get my hands dirty and learn a thing or two about this truck!

 

Yes its a pretty simple task if you are careful not to cross the spark plug wires. There are 2 screws holding the cap and a rotor under that, do 1 spark plug and wire at a time not to miss place them and job done.

 

Ok not sure what you mean by crossing the wires but do i pull then out and change individually starting with 1 and ending with 8?

 

Yes just do 1 wire and spark plug at a time, personally I would do them in order on the rotor cap. Also try not to overlap the plug wire together or you could possibly develop cross firing, meaning the spark jumping to another wire.

 

Ohh alright i get it.. This keeps getting worse also upon further inspection under the hood their is some coolant pooled at the bottom of the rad.. All the hoses look ok and i just added some more50/50 to the bottle. Any ideas on this? Should i buy some stop leak stuff and try it out?

 

That stop leak stuff is pure garbage, good to get you out of a jam but not a long term fix. If you are leaking at the bottom of the rad, you may need a replacement. If thats the case a good cooling system overhaul would be great with winter here. I would also replace the thermostat as they have a habit of sticking and the truck never gets up to temperature.