1998 Ford F-150: check engine light

Filed Feb 4, 2016 · Engine · 60,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford f-150. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger side cylinder head needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Engine · 71,506 miles · PA

New spark plugs were installed at 70,000 miles on my 1998 ford f150. A few weeks later a spark plug (cylinder #4) was ejected from its threads, causing gas vapors to fill the engine compartment and vehicle cabin. After the loss of power and the need to replace the spark plug (the spark plug seemed to be reinserted without problems), it seemed to run fine until 5 weeks later the engine lost power and another miss fire was recorded by the code reader. Now the check engine light remains on (code reader show cylinder #4 miss fire) with a loss of power. Now a helicoil kit will have to be install at a cost over $117. If the helicoil kit does not work, the vehicle may have to be sold for at fraction of what its value would be without the forementioned problems, otherwise it could be used as my regular driver- thanks ford!

Filed Jan 3, 2008 · Engine · 42,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford f-150. The check engine light illuminated. The mechanic stated that the left lobe would not fire and caused the check engine light to illuminate. The failure mileage was 42,000 and current mileage was 46,000.

Filed Oct 29, 2007 · Engine · 89,250 miles · WA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford f150. While driving 50 MPH, the engine failed without warning. When the vehicle was restarted, the check engine light illuminated. The dealer diagnosed the cause of the failure as the fifth and sixth cylinders. The repair has not yet been made. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 89,250.

Filed Sep 12, 2005 · Engine · 89,500 miles · CA

On my way home from work, I noticed my temp gauge in the red and my oil pressure gauge at zero. The "check oil" light was lit as well. The truck at the time was running fine, no noises from the engine and no smoke from the tailpipe. I pulled off to the shoulder of the highway and had the truck towed to the nearest shop which happens to be a ford dealer; diablo ford in pittsburgh, ca. On 09/12/05, the first day the service dept was able to get to it, I received a call from the dealer telling me that both head gaskets were blown. The engine needs to be pulled and disassembled to check engine bearings, connecting rods, valves and pistons to see if there is more damage than just blown head gaskets. So far the quote with internal engine parts not damaged is $3200. That quote could rise very easily if internal damage is found. Since this happened, I was on the fightback.com website and have found literally hundreds of people with 1997 to 1999 f150 ford trucks with 4.2 liter engines. Apparently, ford has changed the design of the head gaskets in mid 1999, due to consumer complaints for these particular engines. My understanding is ford refuses to acknowledge the problem, and hundreds if not thousands of people are shelling out $3000+ to repair their trucks. In some cases, entire engines were replaced for thousands of dollars more. I believe ford should recall and cover the costs on the engines. If I'm not mistaking, the 3.8 liter v6 shares the same block and heads as the 4.2. The 3.8 is found in a lot of ford windstars and taurus'. Somebody needs to accept responsibility for making faulty engines.

Filed Oct 22, 2003 · Engine, Transmission · 80,000 miles · FL

I have a 1998 f150 I bought new. I have been a ford person for many years but will not buy another ford until the problems with the motor and transmissions are corrected. At 72,000 miles I had to replace the transmission. ($2,200), at 92,000 miles check engine light came on, idling was rough but drove fine. Took it to the mechanic he said tune-up would correct it. $400 later, still check engine light and idle rough. It just stopped and wouldn't start back up. I'm having to replace the block ect.. Having to continue to pay a nice vehicle payment each month and insurance and still not having a vehicle to drive is ridiculous. Very disappointed with ford!! Kl.

Filed Jul 20, 2001 · Engine · NY

The vehicle would shake and stall when started, and the check engine light would flash the entire time vehicle was in motion, consumer was informed that all the vehicle needed was a tune-up and was assured that after the work was completed that the vehicle would operate normal, the next day the vehicle began experiencing the same problems, consumer took vehicle back to the shop and their only answer for the problem was to keep bringing vehicle back in for repairs.

Filed Oct 16, 2000 · Engine · TX

October 2000 check engine light on immediately after refueling. Occured on saturday, checked owners manual, "ok to drive, have dealer check". Took truck to town east ford monday, ford charged approx. $279.00 and hertz approx. 70 for rental. Ford stated "someone disconnected your maf sensor". That is not true! Also they did not cover under warrenty bumper to bumper or extended or rental vehicle. I think sensor disconnected self if that is what indeed happened. Approx 1 yr. Ago the blinkers, air conditioner would not work at random. Don't know if brake lights or blinkers were visibly working from outside truck because it would happen while driving. Returned to ford. Said can fix it if cant find it, are you sure you didn't hit a bump, bring it back if/when it happens again. Returned again because problem continued. Had to get ugly with the service people. I told ford to keep it, drive it until the problem is found. They did and said there was a loose connection under dash. Warranty covered. I know this truck is unpredictable now. I would also like to report that in march 2000 my 33 yr old brother was killed while on the job for s&p utilities, I believe now that the truck may have stalled on the railroad track he was killed on because he had often complained about the f150 1998 bogging down and stalling. I also think now s&p is aware since they had people obtain all of the missing parts from the truck as soon as they could. His name is john cloud jr of mesquite texas. He left 3 kids and wife.