2003 Ford F-150: sudden loss of power

Filed Feb 24, 2016 · Engine · 210,000 miles · WI

Driving up a hill at highway speed I heard a loud bang and a clunk and the truck started shaking. I was quite startled. I pulled over immediately, shut it off, and found the spark plug had ejected from cylinder number 6. Not being far from home, I attempted to drive it the rest of the way on less busy roads, but I had to pull over again when I started smelling a strong gasoline smell. I was able to disconnect the fuel injector and drive it the rest of the way home, but I feel there was a danger of an accident when the incident happened due to the sudden loss of power in traffic on a hill, and then a danger of a fire when I had tried to continue driving it with the fuel injector active.

Filed Jul 18, 2014 · Engine · 86,300 miles · FL

While driving at 65 - 70 MPH on I-95, the spark plug on the #2 cylinder blew out. #2 cylinder is 2nd plug from front of engine on the passenger side. Loud noise and lost power.

Filed Apr 24, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 115,000 miles · NV

Vehicle lost all power (in dry climate), including steering, and brakes at approximately 50mph. Came to a stop using the emergency brake. Had two near misses while attempting to come to a stop. Vehicle had to be towed as the ECM (engine control module) was no good. Had prior misfires in engine, which ford had diagnosed as a bad head valve. After rebuilding the heads, the problem continued (while under use in dry climate). Incident occurred, at which point the vehicle had become disabled. 2nd ford dealership diagnosed as "electrical problems" which had allegedly caused the vehicle's ECM (engine control module) to short out. No more than 500 miles and/or 3 days after replacement of the ECM and fixing of unspecified "electrical problems" (and in moist climate), vehicle would have periodic misfires which would on occasion be so severe so as to drop all gauges on dash to their "off" positions, but with the engine still running (under stress from supposed misfire which would shake the entire truck). On two later occasions, while idling at a stop light the vehicle would repeat the same condition as with the initial incident, where the vehicle would completely shut-off, with exception that on the repeat occasions, the ECM was still functional and I was able to restart the vehicle. A 3rd ford dealership was unable to diagnose exact problem but suggested replacement of coils followed by wiring as a possible fix to the misfire. I removed the vehicle to a dry climate and replaced all plugs, coils, and boots for testing. Vehicle successfully functioned under dry, moist, and snowy climates afterwards. Continues in operation and is currently at +/- 155,000 miles.

Filed Dec 15, 2009 · Engine · 200,892 miles · MD

While I was accelerating and entering onto interstate 80 at a speed of 50mph I heard a loud pop and lost power. The engine continued to run but with a great loss of power. I continued to drive at a moderate speed until I could get to a monroe service center approx. 20 miles. The #7 plug for the second time blew out of the head. The repair cost this time was $294.38 and the engine light is still on. It's been eight months since I had it repaired the first time. The #7 cylinder is now misfiring even though the plug has been replaced. Mileage to date is 200,892.

Filed Oct 13, 2008 · Engine · 69,583 miles · CA

On 10/1/08 I was coming out of a parking lot and heard a loud popping sound. Loss of power and ran rough . It was almost dark so I could not see what was wrong so I drove it the two miles home, along the side of the road. Next morning I took the truck to holder ford in lakeport, california and they said I had blown out the rear plug on the passenger side of the engine. They repaired it for $715.00 and I got it back on monday 10/6/08. Again on 10/11/08 saturday the same plug blew out. This time I was in the fast lane of the freeway in san rafael heading for san francisco. The truck lost power and every time I backed off the gas the engine died. I fought with the truck to get it started and keep it running to get it across three lanes of bumper to bumper traffic to an off ramp. When I stopped and raised the hood I saw it was the same plug that was just repaired. I called holder ford and they said service was closed and there was nothing they could do for me until monday. I drove the car to a toyota dealer only to find the ford dealer had gone out of business there so I called a tow truck and rented a car. I was 150 miles from holder ford and my towing would only allow 100 miles. Besides this blown spark plug almost causing an accident it cost me $400.00 for the tow and I don't know how much for a rental car. Now I find out there are only three threads in the head to hold the plugs in, and the heads are aluminum. The truck is a 2003 ford f150 lightning 5.4 triton v8 with 70,000 miles.