Update sorta. So I had some points that were going to expire, so I went to my dealer. YES I DID THAT! I told them I had a low idle engine miss. They drove and verified the miss so they ran the Ford IDS Power Balance and Relative Compression test. They said the trucks engine and drive train was sound and that all ignition coils were performing as they should. I asked if we should now run a leakdown and was told that was not necessary, their test was comprehensive.

TBIRD: I have an endescope, but it does not articulate in different directions so I cannot look back upward towards the valves. Maybe I can find one for cheap that does.

 

im not convinced youd be able to see much if the relative compression test/power tests came back ok. I think you'd need a pretty sizable issue to see it but could be wrong

 

I mean, your compression test is better than theirs. Theirs is derived from computer analysis and you used physical tools, I believe. There are cheap endoscopes. They have mirrors or other cheap ways to look different directions.

 

Yep I asked about the test here: https://www.f150forum.com/f12/how-re...d-test-566692/

Consensus seems to be I still need a good leak down test.

 

Ed, You have a tough one.
What we know is, right now, it runs and drives quite well. it gets reasonable gas mileage for a 2013 F150 5.0/
your truck has not had the cheese beat out of it.
Its lived a large portion of its life in a clean environment....NOT IN THE RUST BELT. and had dodges several Houston area Hurricanes.
the body, chassis, and undercarriage is in reasonable shape....with your ownership maintenance. So you know the condition of the Brakes, Tires, & Shocks.
all in all you own an $8k-$18k with the options that please you.
Now
Lets assume worst case.
Your engine sucks a valve. what do you have left?.......$3k of F150 parts.
lets further assume, one can find a top & front Kit (oil pump, chains, cams, phasors, and 32 new & improved valves. with $300 in machine work. all in in the $1k in parts.
lets double it since Im shooting from the hip right now. and you build a top end kit for $2k
i am willing to bet in the Houston area, one can find a reasonable shop.....with experience, to do a top end and Front engine R&R for $2K-$3K
so at this point we are at $5k and your truck.
you know how you have treated the lower end......luck of the draw says your not poorly affected by warped block back cylinders. And for another year, it will still pass local emissions testing.
other options are find a replacement engine....salvage or re-manufactured in the $3K-$8K with./an additional $1000-$2000 R&R charge.

so now what can we find in the Houston area? there are listings for an equal (on the surface) 2012-2014) F150 5.0 Lariat in the $11K-$13K with 200K miles.....
looks great in the rain from 20 feet away.

now we look at a little newer F150 with less miles. we now go to the $18K-$25k range and get a 2015-2019 F150 XLT in the 80K-150K mile range.
Me, I dont see the value of the next gen over this gen. same trans issues, many of the same engine issues. and very little long term reliability issues you have already solved.
about the only difference is more Sync III and maps.

so this is a very hard call. only you know today, how many miles are YOU expecting to put on the truck for the next 5-7 years.
thats 1 to 2 sets of tires. a set of brakes, and maybe a fresh set of shocks,struts on all 4.

This is a very hard call.
this is why I was happy to learn how to replace my oil pan gasket and take a good look from the bottom up.
I still need to do my leak down and compressions on my 200k 5.0.

The good thing is, being its a Texas Truck....there is still a truck under the paint job and not a bunch of rust held together by a 20yr old paint job.

for me, with my mileage needs up here in the Dallas area,
Im looking real hard at a top kit. a fresh top kit and my trucks bottom end should last my lifeline of another 50k-100k miles. in 3-5 years.

YMMV

.

 

Thanks, solid response. Being stubborn and hard headed,per my wife, I'm at the point where I want to verify the problem. I talked to a family owned engine re-build shop that has been around forever. He quoted the infamous 6K for heads and 8-9K for Ford reman, without looking at it.

Just in case, I have been looking on cars.com for 2019 and up to 23. There are a lot of trucks out there. Limiting my choices to a Lariat, Limited or Platinum I have seen some very nice trucks. The 20-24's really concern me, but I have not totally said no. I have seen some nice "certified" cars, but wonder how these got chosen for that standard? Are they buy back problem trucks? All of my trucks prior to this one, have been used and without issue. I was at my dealer the other day and there was nothing on the lot that inticed me. Compared to the used market pricing, the new trucks are outrageous.

My wife has said: Just put a new engine in. Yes easy to do with a warranty, but then I would want to refurb my seats and a few other things. Its a tough call.

 

I just ordered this:

 

Looking forward to the images.

 

Standing By
i know your hands were tied with Life’s other events.

 

Sorry, off-topic I know but I was wondering where the hell the Like button went on these posts. I was like, how come I can't Like posts anymore? I am logged in right?

I have one of those borescope cameras. They are handy. The picture could be better but its better than nothing.