Long list of problems
Thread Starter
2006 Lariat
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: Southeast MO
Long list of problems
Well, I just sold my 06 Lariat Screw and so far I'm regretting it.
I wanted something cheaper to get rid of a payment so I started looking for a 4wd SuperCab XL or STX. Finally found one after a couple months, sold my truck and bought an 05 4wd Stx, vinyl floors, manual windows and lock, exactly what I was looking for. Then the problems started........
1) When I test drove it I knew it felt underpowered but I attributed it to the 4.6. Well, I was wrong, it's acting like it's starved for fuel and it has died on me a couple times going from drive-reverse and it won't even start to accelerate until about 1/4 throttle, it just hesitates and then its like it gets a shot of gas. Going up a big hill I can barely keep it at the current speed even though it is downshifting properly.
2) 4wd doesn't work. I knew I should have tried this out before purchasing but when I test drove it I put it in 4wd, the light came on and I could hear it engage(at least I thought it was). Long story short, I went to the river and buried it on the gravel bar because it isn't engaging. note: I wasn't going with the intention of using the 4wd because I had made it to the same spot with my Lariat with just the Limited Slip.
3) The driver side rear is sitting 1 1/2" lower than the passenger side. Driver side front is 1/2" lower than passenger side. I don't know how I missed this before.
4) The air will only blow sold about half the time, of course it was blowing fine when I test drove it.
Here is my plan of attack, let me know if there are any other ideas.
1) It has 111k miles so I'm replacing plugs and fuel filter. (should I do wires too?)
2) Taking it to a mechanic who's head mechanic at a GMC dealership but works part time out of his personal garage. I'm hoping its a vaccuum line or sensor.
3) The mechanic is putting on a leveling kit for me, should I add a 1" leaf shim to bring the rear close to level or maybe overload springs? I'm not too worried about the 1/2" in the front unless it could cause other issues down the road.
4) First going to try adding freon. Other than that, I don't know.
It looks like my plan to buy this to save money might be shot at this point.
I wanted something cheaper to get rid of a payment so I started looking for a 4wd SuperCab XL or STX. Finally found one after a couple months, sold my truck and bought an 05 4wd Stx, vinyl floors, manual windows and lock, exactly what I was looking for. Then the problems started........
1) When I test drove it I knew it felt underpowered but I attributed it to the 4.6. Well, I was wrong, it's acting like it's starved for fuel and it has died on me a couple times going from drive-reverse and it won't even start to accelerate until about 1/4 throttle, it just hesitates and then its like it gets a shot of gas. Going up a big hill I can barely keep it at the current speed even though it is downshifting properly.
2) 4wd doesn't work. I knew I should have tried this out before purchasing but when I test drove it I put it in 4wd, the light came on and I could hear it engage(at least I thought it was). Long story short, I went to the river and buried it on the gravel bar because it isn't engaging. note: I wasn't going with the intention of using the 4wd because I had made it to the same spot with my Lariat with just the Limited Slip.
3) The driver side rear is sitting 1 1/2" lower than the passenger side. Driver side front is 1/2" lower than passenger side. I don't know how I missed this before.
4) The air will only blow sold about half the time, of course it was blowing fine when I test drove it.
Here is my plan of attack, let me know if there are any other ideas.
1) It has 111k miles so I'm replacing plugs and fuel filter. (should I do wires too?)
2) Taking it to a mechanic who's head mechanic at a GMC dealership but works part time out of his personal garage. I'm hoping its a vaccuum line or sensor.
3) The mechanic is putting on a leveling kit for me, should I add a 1" leaf shim to bring the rear close to level or maybe overload springs? I'm not too worried about the 1/2" in the front unless it could cause other issues down the road.
4) First going to try adding freon. Other than that, I don't know.
It looks like my plan to buy this to save money might be shot at this point.
5 Year Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 694
Likes: 49
From: NW Portland
Honestly, I've owned the 5.4 and now have the 4.6 and I will say it does not lack power. Once I'm over 10mph, I notice no difference in power.
1. Yeah a tune up should help, I believe you have coil packs and not wires, if that's the case no need to replace unless it's needed. I would do the plugs (motorcraft) and change of fluids. Also, try running some injector cleaner in your tank or Seafoam through the brake booster. Also, go to autozone and get it scanned for codes if there are any...
2. Search the forum and you'll see many post in regards to the 4wd system.
3. Did you measure on level ground? My driveway is sloped and some times when I look from behind my truck looks off but it's not. Look on the sale forum and often times you'll find leveling kits for cheap.
4. Try and get the AC recharged. Also, look at your radiator, if it is caked with mud or leaves clean it. I did that on my old truck and it helped the AC big time cuz it had mud from all the 4X adventures.
1. Yeah a tune up should help, I believe you have coil packs and not wires, if that's the case no need to replace unless it's needed. I would do the plugs (motorcraft) and change of fluids. Also, try running some injector cleaner in your tank or Seafoam through the brake booster. Also, go to autozone and get it scanned for codes if there are any...
2. Search the forum and you'll see many post in regards to the 4wd system.
3. Did you measure on level ground? My driveway is sloped and some times when I look from behind my truck looks off but it's not. Look on the sale forum and often times you'll find leveling kits for cheap.
4. Try and get the AC recharged. Also, look at your radiator, if it is caked with mud or leaves clean it. I did that on my old truck and it helped the AC big time cuz it had mud from all the 4X adventures.
Last edited by LUVmyDUX; Jul 26, 2012 at 05:46 PM.
Thread Starter
2006 Lariat
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: Southeast MO
1. I'll run a can through the tank and booster. I read its good to do before a plug change since it can foul the plugs.
2. I've searched and read quite a bit. I couldnt find anything exactly like what is going on except maybe the vaccuum. Hopefully the mechanic can sort that out cheaply enough.
3. I measured on a flat parking lot.
4. Cleaned the radiator, would a flush help?
2. I've searched and read quite a bit. I couldnt find anything exactly like what is going on except maybe the vaccuum. Hopefully the mechanic can sort that out cheaply enough.
3. I measured on a flat parking lot.
4. Cleaned the radiator, would a flush help?
5 Year Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 694
Likes: 49
From: NW Portland
1. I'll run a can through the tank and booster. I read its good to do before a plug change since it can foul the plugs.
2. I've searched and read quite a bit. I couldnt find anything exactly like what is going on except maybe the vaccuum. Hopefully the mechanic can sort that out cheaply enough.
3. I measured on a flat parking lot.
4. Cleaned the radiator, would a flush help?
2. I've searched and read quite a bit. I couldnt find anything exactly like what is going on except maybe the vaccuum. Hopefully the mechanic can sort that out cheaply enough.
3. I measured on a flat parking lot.
4. Cleaned the radiator, would a flush help?
Also, read this https://www.f150forum.com/f4/c-not-c...-cabin-154077/ about AC
'08f150stx
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 16
From: Wisconsin
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Thread Starter
2006 Lariat
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: Southeast MO
Originally Posted by brandonjr36
Run good quality gas through it also.
Any ideas about the lean? I havent had a chance to check out the leaf packs other than I can tell one of them is noticably flatter, I dont know what to look for in terms of damage or breaks though.
Thread Starter
2006 Lariat
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: Southeast MO
One other thing worth mentioning is when I tried 4Lo I had to practically have the pedal on the floor before the engine would start revving and spin a tire. It would also die in 4Lo if I didnt have the gas pushed. This is my 4th F150 and its not starting out too good.
Look for cracks and warping.... If its just flatter on one side then that may be all that's wrong... You would at least need to replace a leaf.... If its on the same side as the gas tank then the weight of that might do it too.