Going Nuts...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 15
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From: Chicago
IMO, this is the most expensive way to attempt a repair. throwing parts at it, starting with the cheapest is only hoping to get it fixed within the first part or two. If you're not equipped with the diagnostic tools, take it to a repair center. This is where your Ford dealership has an advantage; they will use a known good part to test, installing and removing until the problem is solved, charging you only for the part(s) that fix the fault, plus labor.
Sure, anyone of us can do this, but most do not have spare replacement parts for each sensor that could be throwing the codes.
But if money's no object, then by all means, buy one part at a time and replace; sooner or later you'll get it fixed.
Sure, anyone of us can do this, but most do not have spare replacement parts for each sensor that could be throwing the codes.
But if money's no object, then by all means, buy one part at a time and replace; sooner or later you'll get it fixed.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 28
From: Phoenix, Arizona
If you check the codes on line it seems like you have issues with the throttle body, throttle position sensor, and the MAF sensor. It could be 1 or all 3, but somewhat unlikely that they would all go out at once. Since you have cleaned them and have not seen much better results I would swap out the MAF sensor first, like others have recommended, and then the throttle position sensor since they are both fairly inexpensive and easy to replace. The throttle body is kinda steep, but if you had to replace all three and DIYed the job you would be around $400 instead of $1000.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 15
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From: Chicago
If you check the codes on line it seems like you have issues with the throttle body, throttle position sensor, and the MAF sensor. It could be 1 or all 3, but somewhat unlikely that they would all go out at once. Since you have cleaned them and have not seen much better results I would swap out the MAF sensor first, like others have recommended, and then the throttle position sensor since they are both fairly inexpensive and easy to replace. The throttle body is kinda steep, but if you had to replace all three and DIYed the job you would be around $400 instead of $1000.
poopin.....on this thread
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 33
IMO, this is the most expensive way to attempt a repair. throwing parts at it, starting with the cheapest is only hoping to get it fixed within the first part or two. If you're not equipped with the diagnostic tools, take it to a repair center. This is where your Ford dealership has an advantage; they will use a known good part to test, installing and removing until the problem is solved, charging you only for the part(s) that fix the fault, plus labor.
Sure, anyone of us can do this, but most do not have spare replacement parts for each sensor that could be throwing the codes.
But if money's no object, then by all means, buy one part at a time and replace; sooner or later you'll get it fixed.
Sure, anyone of us can do this, but most do not have spare replacement parts for each sensor that could be throwing the codes.
But if money's no object, then by all means, buy one part at a time and replace; sooner or later you'll get it fixed.
IF a person has done their due diligence they have already brought it down to being one of a few things to try(coming and asking others on this forum shows to me that he would like to do this himself) I think it would AT LEAST be worth someones time to spend $10 bucks and try and clean the MAF or the 02 before he takes it to a dealer and spends $100+ to get it "Diagnosed" and then have to pay for parts/labor.
gave a quick call and checked into it and at my local chain auto parts store you can get both of these parts for around $115 and it does not take a master mechanic to do either one of the swaps by any means. I personally feel like taking it to the dealer right away is just throwing money at it. But that is just my 2cents.
'08f150stx
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,605
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From: Wisconsin
I never had a MAF changed at the dealer, but I do not think the total cost to change it would be under $200. If you can, check the part price at the dealers parts department as sometimes dealers get finicky about the brand of part unless you tell them it is new, don't change it............ reset the computer after you change it, the engine will code if something else is wrong, get the codes for free from some auto parts place, go from there
Moderator (Ret.)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 9,460
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Id have to respectfully disagree w/ you on this one Bucko.
IF a person has done their due diligence they have already brought it down to being one of a few things to try(coming and asking others on this forum shows to me that he would like to do this himself) I think it would AT LEAST be worth someones time to spend $10 bucks and try and clean the MAF or the 02 before he takes it to a dealer and spends $100+ to get it "Diagnosed" and then have to pay for parts/labor.
gave a quick call and checked into it and at my local chain auto parts store you can get both of these parts for around $115 and it does not take a master mechanic to do either one of the swaps by any means. I personally feel like taking it to the dealer right away is just throwing money at it. But that is just my 2cents.
IF a person has done their due diligence they have already brought it down to being one of a few things to try(coming and asking others on this forum shows to me that he would like to do this himself) I think it would AT LEAST be worth someones time to spend $10 bucks and try and clean the MAF or the 02 before he takes it to a dealer and spends $100+ to get it "Diagnosed" and then have to pay for parts/labor.
gave a quick call and checked into it and at my local chain auto parts store you can get both of these parts for around $115 and it does not take a master mechanic to do either one of the swaps by any means. I personally feel like taking it to the dealer right away is just throwing money at it. But that is just my 2cents.
I prefer to pinpoint the fault; if my ability or lack of diagnostic tools does not allow this, I will (reluctantly) take it to a better qualified service center.
And nothing wrong with disagreeing. That's why these forums are good.
poopin.....on this thread
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 33
Perhaps in this case you have a point...only because the repair(s) total under a couple of hundred bucks; maybe. All too many times though, someone posts an OBD code, and gets several replies stating "mine did the same thing; I replaced...and it runs great now". This gets costly.
I prefer to pinpoint the fault; if my ability or lack of diagnostic tools does not allow this, I will (reluctantly) take it to a better qualified service center.
And nothing wrong with disagreeing. That's why these forums are good.
I prefer to pinpoint the fault; if my ability or lack of diagnostic tools does not allow this, I will (reluctantly) take it to a better qualified service center.
And nothing wrong with disagreeing. That's why these forums are good.
Thanks Bucko and to to all the other people in this forum that can look at other opinions w/ respect and understnad another point of view. And i agree w/ you Bucko that if it gets to far out of hand or if it is a major code that is popping up. just take it to the "pros"(atleast the people w/ the expensive tools and place to work on it.)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 15
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From: Chicago
We planned on changing the MAF and TPS but lo and behold...after reading the Manual I found out that with the 2004 5.8 V8 engine you cannot replace just the TPS..you must change out the entire Throttle Body. Just our luck because the 2004 is the only year that the 5.8 V8 was made that way...and apparently most 4.6 V6 as well. So the new Throttle Body has been ordered and will be installed ASAP.