Engine blown
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2021
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Engine blown
Hi,
I have a 2008 F150 5.4 FX4 with roughly 275,000 miles (owned for the last 200,000 miles). Recently it began running rough and check engine light came on. It was reading code P0304. Took it to a local Ford/Lincoln dealership for service. Came back and said cracked intake manifold, coil 4 and spark plug 4 were bad. Inquired about replacing all the plugs/coil packs, as we have done in the past, but was advised that others tested fine and felt like these were bad because of manifold leak.
Upon pickup of truck, I Immediately noticed it was still running rough; engine light off. I returned to the shop after driving about 1/8 mile and said somethings not right. Service advisor came out, cranked truck up, revved motor and said it seemed fine, computer was probably just adjusting. He said to drive it and call if it continued. I am not a mechanic and took him at his word.
After driving it the next day, told my husband something definitely isn’t right as it was running very rough while idling. He called the dealership to schedule an appointment. Morning of appointment, could not get the truck started and had to have it towed in. We were told tech had tried starting it numerous times in the lot and was now blowing white smoke. Said they would have to push it into bay to investigate further. Mechanic now saying motor will not hold any compression, jumped a tooth on the timing chain and needs new motor. They are saying that upon pulling all the spark plugs, they were wore and the motor had been running lean. Offered a “refund” on original work if we have them install a new motor at roughly $8700.
I am highly upset as I feel like this could have been prevented had they did a more thorough job at inspecting the motor and not sent me home to drive it running rough. They use the excuse that it’s a high mileage vehicle. We were originally told motor looked great and should be able to get another couple years out of it. I understand no one has a crystal ball but I feel as though they should be held somewhat responsible here. Any thoughts? I have been told so many conflicting stories from this dealership that we have decided to tow to a different mechanic for repairs. I feel as though I’m fighting an uphill battle and would appreciate any advice!
Thanks,
Kim
I have a 2008 F150 5.4 FX4 with roughly 275,000 miles (owned for the last 200,000 miles). Recently it began running rough and check engine light came on. It was reading code P0304. Took it to a local Ford/Lincoln dealership for service. Came back and said cracked intake manifold, coil 4 and spark plug 4 were bad. Inquired about replacing all the plugs/coil packs, as we have done in the past, but was advised that others tested fine and felt like these were bad because of manifold leak.
Upon pickup of truck, I Immediately noticed it was still running rough; engine light off. I returned to the shop after driving about 1/8 mile and said somethings not right. Service advisor came out, cranked truck up, revved motor and said it seemed fine, computer was probably just adjusting. He said to drive it and call if it continued. I am not a mechanic and took him at his word.
After driving it the next day, told my husband something definitely isn’t right as it was running very rough while idling. He called the dealership to schedule an appointment. Morning of appointment, could not get the truck started and had to have it towed in. We were told tech had tried starting it numerous times in the lot and was now blowing white smoke. Said they would have to push it into bay to investigate further. Mechanic now saying motor will not hold any compression, jumped a tooth on the timing chain and needs new motor. They are saying that upon pulling all the spark plugs, they were wore and the motor had been running lean. Offered a “refund” on original work if we have them install a new motor at roughly $8700.
I am highly upset as I feel like this could have been prevented had they did a more thorough job at inspecting the motor and not sent me home to drive it running rough. They use the excuse that it’s a high mileage vehicle. We were originally told motor looked great and should be able to get another couple years out of it. I understand no one has a crystal ball but I feel as though they should be held somewhat responsible here. Any thoughts? I have been told so many conflicting stories from this dealership that we have decided to tow to a different mechanic for repairs. I feel as though I’m fighting an uphill battle and would appreciate any advice!
Thanks,
Kim
5 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 7,715
Likes: 2,196
Hi,
I have a 2008 F150 5.4 FX4 with roughly 275,000 miles (owned for the last 200,000 miles). Recently it began running rough and check engine light came on. It was reading code P0304. Took it to a local Ford/Lincoln dealership for service. Came back and said cracked intake manifold, coil 4 and spark plug 4 were bad. Inquired about replacing all the plugs/coil packs, as we have done in the past, but was advised that others tested fine and felt like these were bad because of manifold leak.
Upon pickup of truck, I Immediately noticed it was still running rough; engine light off. I returned to the shop after driving about 1/8 mile and said somethings not right. Service advisor came out, cranked truck up, revved motor and said it seemed fine, computer was probably just adjusting. He said to drive it and call if it continued. I am not a mechanic and took him at his word.
After driving it the next day, told my husband something definitely isn’t right as it was running very rough while idling. He called the dealership to schedule an appointment. Morning of appointment, could not get the truck started and had to have it towed in. We were told tech had tried starting it numerous times in the lot and was now blowing white smoke. Said they would have to push it into bay to investigate further. Mechanic now saying motor will not hold any compression, jumped a tooth on the timing chain and needs new motor. They are saying that upon pulling all the spark plugs, they were wore and the motor had been running lean. Offered a “refund” on original work if we have them install a new motor at roughly $8700.
I am highly upset as I feel like this could have been prevented had they did a more thorough job at inspecting the motor and not sent me home to drive it running rough. They use the excuse that it’s a high mileage vehicle. We were originally told motor looked great and should be able to get another couple years out of it. I understand no one has a crystal ball but I feel as though they should be held somewhat responsible here. Any thoughts? I have been told so many conflicting stories from this dealership that we have decided to tow to a different mechanic for repairs. I feel as though I’m fighting an uphill battle and would appreciate any advice!
Thanks,
Kim
I have a 2008 F150 5.4 FX4 with roughly 275,000 miles (owned for the last 200,000 miles). Recently it began running rough and check engine light came on. It was reading code P0304. Took it to a local Ford/Lincoln dealership for service. Came back and said cracked intake manifold, coil 4 and spark plug 4 were bad. Inquired about replacing all the plugs/coil packs, as we have done in the past, but was advised that others tested fine and felt like these were bad because of manifold leak.
Upon pickup of truck, I Immediately noticed it was still running rough; engine light off. I returned to the shop after driving about 1/8 mile and said somethings not right. Service advisor came out, cranked truck up, revved motor and said it seemed fine, computer was probably just adjusting. He said to drive it and call if it continued. I am not a mechanic and took him at his word.
After driving it the next day, told my husband something definitely isn’t right as it was running very rough while idling. He called the dealership to schedule an appointment. Morning of appointment, could not get the truck started and had to have it towed in. We were told tech had tried starting it numerous times in the lot and was now blowing white smoke. Said they would have to push it into bay to investigate further. Mechanic now saying motor will not hold any compression, jumped a tooth on the timing chain and needs new motor. They are saying that upon pulling all the spark plugs, they were wore and the motor had been running lean. Offered a “refund” on original work if we have them install a new motor at roughly $8700.
I am highly upset as I feel like this could have been prevented had they did a more thorough job at inspecting the motor and not sent me home to drive it running rough. They use the excuse that it’s a high mileage vehicle. We were originally told motor looked great and should be able to get another couple years out of it. I understand no one has a crystal ball but I feel as though they should be held somewhat responsible here. Any thoughts? I have been told so many conflicting stories from this dealership that we have decided to tow to a different mechanic for repairs. I feel as though I’m fighting an uphill battle and would appreciate any advice!
Thanks,
Kim
how did they test/identify that coil 4 and plug 4 were bad? Especially plug 4, if they, hadn’t even pulled/examined it?
what code(s) is it throwing now?
Thread Starter
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I am assuming they could see the crack? I’m sorry but I am not familiar with engine related things ... can only relay what they told me. He said it’s common for an engine with that many miles to have a crack due to the prolonged exposure to heat. The code it was throwing originally is what lead them to coil pack and spark plug 4. I am assuming they determined they were bad after testing them, as they said the others tested fine.
When the truck left my possession the engine light was still off, although it would crank but not start. I haven’t asked if it is throwing any codes currently and they have not said. Sorry for the vague response! I’m just not sure quite what to ask them at this point.
When the truck left my possession the engine light was still off, although it would crank but not start. I haven’t asked if it is throwing any codes currently and they have not said. Sorry for the vague response! I’m just not sure quite what to ask them at this point.
5 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 7,715
Likes: 2,196
Impossible for me (anyone?) to assess this just by a post or two in this thread. But if I had to guess, they scanned it and got the one code, then simply made assumption re: the coil and plug vs actually testing and verifying. As for the manifold they may have found a crack, but would seek a little strange to have not simply shown it to you and/or given more of an explanation. Not sure what advice can be given here/now, other than to try to find a friend/trusted person that knows more about mechanical issues and go with you to listen and ask questions when talking to the mechanic.
Hope it works out for you.
Hope it works out for you.
with almost 300K mikes on your motor.. take the refund and get a new motor, that is if you really want to keep your truck. Remember, everything else has 300K miles on them too.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 324
From: Cape Charles Virginia
I'd take it somewhere else for a second opinion. The replacement cost is very excessive IMO.
It's an old worn truck, think long and hard before putting a new motor in it. If it's in great shape, zero rust, I would do it for my truck, but I love my truck and it's in pristine condition.
It's an old worn truck, think long and hard before putting a new motor in it. If it's in great shape, zero rust, I would do it for my truck, but I love my truck and it's in pristine condition.