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Disappointed in 5.0L but maybe faulty

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Old 11-21-2012, 12:01 AM
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Default Disappointed in 5.0L but maybe faulty

I'm buying a new 2012 truck due to my lemon and the dealership is really helping out.

I test drove 2013 trucks since they had no 4X4 trucks in 2012. The truck was a XLT 5.0L, 3:55 open axle, 4X4, 5.5' bed with $1300 value package (convenience and tow package and chrome package). It had about 250 miles on it. The truck had no power. I even had to give it full pedal just to get it to accelerate quickly which was still slow. Then I started to smell a overcoming burning smell. Really really bad. Something in the engine bay was burning as it came into the cab and was surrounding the outside of the truck. Liked the new climate and radio controls but everything on the 2013 looked like the 2012.

I then test drove a 2013 XLT Ecoboost with the 3.55 locking axle, and the $4000 premium package. It ran like a bat out of hell. So so fast I couldn't believe how quick it was. It actually felt quicker than the last Ecoboost I tested but it was 48 degrees compared to the previous test's 85 degrees.

Since my truck has been in the shop, I've had a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country with the awesome 3.6 Pentastar engine. 283 HP at 6500 rpms and 260 lbs of torque at 4400 rpms. They have it geared really high and it holds the gears for better rpms and downshifts very easy to get the rpms high. This minivan is FAST. It literally blew the doors off of that 5.0L Screw I test drove. Technically the Screw should be just as fast when weight and driveline loss (FWD vs RWD) are considered. I just have to think that 5.0L was flawed.

Since Ford hasn't really recalled or corrected all the intercoolers on the Ecoboost in the 2012s, I will be buying a 5.0L.

BTW, I couldn't get a rental truck as they were all out so I needed 5 seats and a large cargo area so the minivan fit the need. It actually was even better with the stow and go as the middle and rear seats folded under the floor for a conversion to a cargo van.

I really hope this is not common in the 5.0L. I will be test driving a 2012 2WD 5.0L XLT SCREW 5.5' bed truck tomorrow.

Last edited by Mike Up; 11-21-2012 at 12:03 AM.
Old 11-21-2012, 12:09 AM
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That's too bad it was such a lousy experience. I have had my 2011 5.0l xlt crew cab for almost a year now and I am really impressed so far. Not just in it's ability as a truck, but the performance of the 5.0l is impressive. I am coming from a 2007 mustang gt, and I drive my bosses 2011 f450 crew cab long box, and the 5.0l is still a pretty impressive motor to me.

Your test drive tomorrow im sure will be better.
Old 11-21-2012, 12:44 AM
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Hmm...I drove the 5.0L and loved it! Drive a few others, maybe different axle ratios. There is no logical reason how it could possibly be slower than the 5.4L dog you have in your 2010. The burning smell is normal, I've driven plenty and it's some chemical from manufacturing in the engine bay burning off. Was it sorta like a sweet smell? It's sometimes really radiant when you've got your foot into it. My Eco was the same way. It still does that sometimes when I've got it to the floor for long periods of time and I've got 30k on it.

BTW, no intercooler issues on my 11 and it was built right in the thick of the dates in which the issues were reported, no TSB done and I drove in rain tons of times when it was coldish and humid, nothing. Not EVERY Eco does it. I'd say MAYBE 10% of them have had cases of that happening. The Eco actually likes colder weather. Mine runs like a bat out of hell when it's cold outside. It's a little groggy when it was really hot out this summer.
Old 11-21-2012, 12:57 AM
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i don't know about the one you drove but i have driven all of the new motors and the old 5.4.
the ego is buy far the fastest but the 5.0 is no lame duck. i and this is just my feelings on this but, the 5.0 is awesome and the best motor for the money. i would say its right up there with the 6.2 and 3.5 fords just down plays it to sale more of the ego booster! but like i said its just my view on this!
good luck on your test ride hope you get a good deal!
Old 11-21-2012, 01:45 AM
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my 5.0 is stout. when i first bought it is was sluggish and ford came out with a reflash.
Old 11-21-2012, 07:02 AM
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Take the parking brake off? Just kidding. I love my 5.0!
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Old 11-21-2012, 07:27 AM
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I have a 2004 F150 regular cab, long box 4x4 XLT with the 5.4 liter engine and a 3.73 LSD rear. Near the end of September I decided to place an order for a 2013 F150 extended cab, 6.5 foot box 4x4 Lariat with the 5.0 liter engine and a 3.73 e-locker rear.


I also own a 2011 Mustang GT Premium with the 5.0 liter engine (3.15 gears) and the same automatic transmission that comes in the current model F150. I have been very impressed with the 2011 Mustang GT, achieving better than 31 miles per (US) gallon on a 3100+ mile trip. So, I ordered a truck with the same engine, transmission, equivalent rear gears (roughly the same RPM at the same speed), and similar interior.

The day after I placed the order for the truck, I took a tour of Ford's Dearborn truck plant... and then I remembered that I forgot request a test drive of a 5.0 in a truck before placing the order.


The dealer had 1 new truck on the lot that had a 5.0 engine. It was a 2012 XLT extended cab 4x4 with 3.55 open rear. The interior of the truck felt much cheaper than the interior in my 2004 XLT. With roughly 230 miles on the truck, I could tell that it had been sitting for a while. The roughly 7 mile test drive was uneventful. The steering felt the same as the steering in my 2004, the truck accelerated about as quick as my 2004, and I started wondering if I made a mistake ordering the 5.0 rather than the 6.2 engine.


My 2013 Dearborn built truck arrived last Friday - it was apparently on some sort of stop shipment quality hold for about 3 weeks. It had about 10 miles on the odometer (with a full tank of fresh gas) when I took it for a test drive on the same roughly 7 mile loop. I accidentally broke the tires loose taking off from a stop sign with quite a nice exhaust note, something that did not happen with the 2012 that I test drove, but that is very easy to do in my 2004 which does not have traction control (but with little exhaust note).


So, how well does my 2013 F-150 5.0 perform? I have about 380 miles on the truck so far - trying to hit 500+ miles in the first week like I did with the 2011 Mustang GT. The 2013 F-150 is currently indicating that it is averaging 17.2 miles per gallon, which is surprisingly high considering the number of times the gas pedal has hit the floor board. Once the engine and transmission reach normal temperatures, if it were not for the height difference, I would not be able to tell the difference between the 2011 Mustang GT and the 2013 F-150 when quickly accelerating - essentially the same exhaust note from the stock exhaust, and the same rush of untamed power. The 2013 F-150 is dragging along roughly 1800 pounds of additional weight over the GT, and is not as aerodynamic, but it still moves surprisingly quick for a truck (there is no chance that the truck could keep pace with the GT).


I wonder if the tuning was adjusted for October 2012 built 5.0 trucks, or maybe the 2012 F-150 that I test drove just had 6 month old gas? I wonder if old gas explains the lack of performance that the OP experienced?
Old 11-21-2012, 08:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike Up
I'm buying a new 2012 truck due to my lemon and the dealership is really helping out.

I test drove 2013 trucks since they had no 4X4 trucks in 2012. The truck was a XLT 5.0L, 3:55 open axle, 4X4, 5.5' bed with $1300 value package (convenience and tow package and chrome package). It had about 250 miles on it. The truck had no power. I even had to give it full pedal just to get it to accelerate quickly which was still slow. Then I started to smell a overcoming burning smell. Really really bad. Something in the engine bay was burning as it came into the cab and was surrounding the outside of the truck. Liked the new climate and radio controls but everything on the 2013 looked like the 2012.

I then test drove a 2013 XLT Ecoboost with the 3.55 locking axle, and the $4000 premium package. It ran like a bat out of hell. So so fast I couldn't believe how quick it was. It actually felt quicker than the last Ecoboost I tested but it was 48 degrees compared to the previous test's 85 degrees.

Since my truck has been in the shop, I've had a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country with the awesome 3.6 Pentastar engine. 283 HP at 6500 rpms and 260 lbs of torque at 4400 rpms. They have it geared really high and it holds the gears for better rpms and downshifts very easy to get the rpms high. This minivan is FAST. It literally blew the doors off of that 5.0L Screw I test drove. Technically the Screw should be just as fast when weight and driveline loss (FWD vs RWD) are considered. I just have to think that 5.0L was flawed.

Since Ford hasn't really recalled or corrected all the intercoolers on the Ecoboost in the 2012s, I will be buying a 5.0L.

BTW, I couldn't get a rental truck as they were all out so I needed 5 seats and a large cargo area so the minivan fit the need. It actually was even better with the stow and go as the middle and rear seats folded under the floor for a conversion to a cargo van.

I really hope this is not common in the 5.0L. I will be test driving a 2012 2WD 5.0L XLT SCREW 5.5' bed truck tomorrow.



I'm sorr- I can't stay quiet. Please don't tell me that a mini-van beat the doors off of a 5.0 F150. Either you are a Chrysler salesman or you are crazy! That's all!
Old 11-21-2012, 08:05 AM
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I LOVE my 5.0. You must have driven one that was off.
Old 11-21-2012, 08:17 AM
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Surprised no one has mentioned this....is it a possibility that the 5.0 was in "transport mode"?

Doubtful with 250 miles on it, but i know that transport mode limits the power available.


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