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What are the Most Common Ford F-150 Repair Problems?

What are the Most Common Ford F-150 Repair Problems?

 

TL;DR

    1. Ignition Coil Failure
    2. Noisy Idling
    3. Squeals When Braking
    4. Head Gasket Oil Leak
    5. Spark Plug Ejection

The Ford F-150 is a stalwart of the full-size truck scene, capable of providing years of hardworking service when correctly serviced and maintained. But just like any piece of complex automotive engineering, it has a few quirks that can lead to certain repairs being needed more often than others.

Luckily, nearly all of the most common issues are quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive to fix, especially if they're caught early before they can escalate into something more serious. Here are five of the most common repair issues to be on the lookout for with your Ford F-150, along with hints about how they can be put right.

1) Ignition Coil Failure

 

When the 'check engine' light illuminates on the F-150 dash, it's not necessarily a sign that there's something seriously wrong at the heart of your truck's powertrain. If the light is accompanied by engine misfires and spluttering, especially when the ignition is first turned on, the chances are this is caused by an ignition coil failure.

 

The ignition coil is the component that takes the battery voltage and converts it to the higher level used by the spark plugs, and when this isn't working correctly, fuel ignition will be unreliable. This problem is fixed by identifying the failing coil, and replacing it along with its spark plug and fittings.

 

2) Noisy Idling

 

If your F-150 is noisy during idling, and especially if there's a rough and vibrating edge to the sound, then it's possible that there's a sensor malfunction in the exhaust system. This results in the exhaust gas recirculation valve (EGR) not closing properly, resulting in rough idling. This is a straightforward issue to fix simply by replacing the entire EGR valve and its integrated sensor.

 

3) Squeals When Braking

 

Squealing and whining sounds during braking are most often caused by worn brake pads, but in more serious cases the brake rotors could also be faulty. This is an urgent repair which probably won't cost you as much as you assume, so don't delay in booking an inspection.

 

4) Head Gasket Oil Leak

 

Any signs of oil dripping on the starter are probably down to a leak in the head gasket. It's important to get this checked out as soon as possible, as replacing the head gasket is straightforward and inexpensive. But if the leak develops into a complete head gasket failure, then the damage caused could be much more extensive.

 

5) Spark Plug Ejection

 

Lastly, V8 models of the F-150 can suffer from the spark plug being ejected from the cylinder head. The ejection can cause damage as it happens, particularly to the spark plug threads. Afterwards, a full cylinder head replacement is covered by the Ford warranty, while a simpler thread repair is more often done on older trucks.

 

Service Your F-150 at Grimsby Ford

 

Keep your Ford F-150 running super-smooth by booking a regular service schedule at Grimsby Ford. Our parts and service department can handle a full range of inspections and maintenance jobs with your Ford F-150 of any age and trim, heading off any problems before they turn into expensive repairs.

 

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    Categories: Ford F-150