You're situation sounds exactly like the problems I'm experiencing with my 98'. Did you ever hear a gurgling sound from behind the dash? I've done everything that you have done except to replace the water pump and which upper/lower hoses were you referring to; the heater hoses or radiator? If heater hoses, did you replace with the internal valve? My truck is also sending those exact codes, is this problem corrected?

P.S. I'm experiencing your same frustrations, but only for half the time (6 months and counting)

 

I never got the gurgling behind the dash. The only time it would gurgle was when it overheated but the sound came from the overflow bottle. The upper and lower hoses I am reffering to are to the radiator. I flushed the heater core like 5 times but never replaced the lines to it. As for the codes, I replaced the fuel filter and cleaned the MAF sensor and, as of yesterday, it hasn't thrown anymore lean codes. Good luck man, I know how much of a pain these kinda problems can be.

 

I have got the same problem macosta mentions. Very little heat, temp gauge all over the place, and a gurgling noise behind the dash. It just started doing this yesterday and now I'm scared to death that I am heading down the same road as shifty.

 

So I too have the same mentioned problem. I also have the gurgling sound. What does the solution seem to be? What hoses were checked. I have replaced thermostat, flushed system twice and about to head to the water pump. Please post a reply as to what has fixed your problem. I too am short on cash and rely heavily on my truck.

Austin

 

Sounds like you got alot of good advice so far,if cat was plugged,you would think it would affect overall engine proformance,but anythings possiable. As bigbad jon said, Would check for bag or blockage on evap coil-maybe you have a filter in there-heard of some trucks having them,might explain your heat problem from the start. good luck, can`t wait to here what you find.

 

Doc - the gurgling would lead me to suspect that air is still in the system - especially if you have the same symptoms a 'tgoplin' - little heat, temp gauge all over the place.

 

**Good News Update**

So i replaced the engine coolant temp sensor and the problem has fixed itself. My gauge has settled down and there is no overheating problem. I still have a little coolant in the oil and suspect that the head gasket may be faulty. Truck runs great with no misses. I am seeking out new advice for possible small water leak solutions that may fix my problem. I do see an engine replacement in my future because it seems to only be a bit more than having head gaskets replaced. I am in the Navy and do not have the means to do it mysef. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. I hope this solves some of the other folks problems. It seems to be a popular issue.

Austin

 

I seem to be having a problem with coolant flow also. No over heating, but the top radiator hose is hot, and the bottom is cool...I am baffled as to what to do..The original issue was I had not heat. I did the obvious, and changed the t-stat. Still no heat. ..Found that the upper hose was hot, and the lower was cool. Thought that was a clogged radiator. I replaced the radiator, and still the same thing. Not overheating though. I am completely baffled.

 

Just going to throw this out there. It is not uncommon what so ever to buy a "new" thermostat" and for it to be bad. It's happened to me on more than 1 occasion. I've never had to do this to my f150 but have done it on other cars... run it without the thermostat and see if that changes anything? Pretty sure it wont hurt anything but maybe a slow long warm up. Someone correct me if I'm wrong please.

 

I have had the same prob all through the summer. Mine would start to cool down if i cranked the heat and my heat worked. that is the only difference it sounds like between the situations. I was told that i had air in the system as well there is a big funnel that you can buy that attaches to the resevior and you fill it to the top. it is like 2 feet high. this pushes all the air out of the system. I tried so many different things but once i did this i have not had a prob. mine only overheated during the warmer days though so i dont know if i fixed the prob or if it is just not hot enough to over heat. as you fill the funnel squeez the inlet tubes as well it helps let the air out. i have so many probs with the the truck so far. Currently i have an oil leak that is coming from one of the lower pulleys for the belt. working on that prob right now.