Ford V10 Good engine?

Moline_guy · Mar 12, 2015

Noticed an 04 Ford super duty with a v10 motor in it with 150,000 for sale. Truck was a state owned and maintained truck but is owned privately now. Long box, extended cab with low option cab and in good condition. Price is 6800. Is the v10 a good engine, does it have same issues with spark plugs as a 5.4 v8? Thanks for any information.

Pitch · Mar 12, 2015

The V-10 is one heck of a good power plant, but unfortunately does have the plug problem.

Bob · Mar 12, 2015

I believe a 2004 would have the small 2-piece plugs that may break upon removal, as opposed to the older engines them simply blew out plugs.

The link below (.pdf) is to the official Ford TSB on the 2004-up problems.

(V-10 = 6.8L.)
TSB 08 7 6 1

jon f mn · Mar 12, 2015

I really like mine. If you can deal with about 10-12 mpg empty you will like it. It is no worse than anything else I've driven loaded. Started at -25° no problem and pulled these loads at 70-75 mph and got 8 mpg over 1300 miles. That's the only real load I've pulled with it so far.

big tee · Mar 12, 2015

Had one. Blew plug right out of head 3 mi. from home pulling nh-3 tanks. Could smell gas--hoping it would burn but made it home. LOVED gas.

37chief · Mar 12, 2015

I have the Ford V 10 in my motorhome. I have had it for almost 4 years with no problems. I have heard about the plug problems. As long as I see no need to remove the plugs, I am going to let a sleeping dog lay. The problem is the plugs blowing out. I was also concerned about the plug problem. I am sure there lots of older V 10 engines out there with no problems. There is a lot of info out there about the plug issue. even how to repair them. There is also another problem. Something about the manifold studs breaking off. I was like you, posting here before I bought my V 10. I am happy wit mine. Even with the fuel consumption. Stan

John Deere D · Mar 12, 2015

I own a 1999 F250 Super duty, 2 WD, Auto, Extended Cab Short box. At 110,000 Miles a SPARK PLUG stripped out while pulling a trailer.....scored cylinder wall...engine was TOAST. Second engine (FORD COMPLETE DROP in) head warped at 120,000 miles and caused block to be TOAST. I have a 2000 V-10 to install with 50,000 miles. I'll use the truck to drive to the Post Office ........1999 V-10...Hmmmmm

Fordfarmer · Mar 12, 2015

I have an '01 F350 extended cad long box with the V10, 5-speed and 3.73's. About 210,000 on it now. Very happy with it. Have gotten up to 15.5 mpg., but 13 is more typical. It did spit out a plug three years ago. Local shop fixed it for something like $150. I think the one you're looking at would have the 3-valve heads, which are supposed to be less likely to spit plugs out.

JohnDeereJimOhio · Mar 12, 2015

I have an 08 with v10 I belive by then they had updated the engine some.. I live it I previously had three 7.3 diesels 2 auto and one manual.. if I had to do it all over I would have waited for a v10 with 6 speed. However the auto tranny in this truck is much better than the one in my 02 7.3. I haul tractors and my bulldozer 11k lbs avg about 8mpg with a load and 12 empty.

Mike M · Mar 12, 2015

Leave sleeping dogs lie might be a good idea ? especially if you plan on trading it off.

But then removing them early and more often and coating with neverseeze might be another option ? instead of waiting for 100,000 miles or them to fail.

Meangreen · Mar 12, 2015

Had my 04 F250 V-10 for 7 years now with no major problems. Head is supposed to be fixed by 04 to prevent the plugs from spitting out, but I have heard they will still freeze in the holes over time.

Knew a guy who was a mechanic for a local power company and they had a van with the V-10 and it went well over 200,000 before they had any engine issues on it.

Stan - Florida · Mar 12, 2015

We have a 2000 Winnebago RV (1999 Chassis) with 106K miles on it. No major problems, but did have a problem with the Mass Airflow Sensor back in '07. Got towed to a Ford Garage and on my way in a couple hours.

Had a miss in a hard rain last September. Ford truck dealer in Memphis fixed it - problem was one of the spark plug/coil thingys. Technician said he'd never seen an RV with 104K miles. We bought it to use, and we have used it.

Stan

Nick m · Mar 12, 2015

My father in law has a 99 with a 5 speed manual. Engine has been really good. The transmission had some sync issues a few years ago. Doesn't seem to have the umph my 01 dodge diesel or their 01 power stroke, but been a good truck. It's been dairy farm abused also, which has to say something.

Sprint 6 · Mar 12, 2015

The V10 is a good engine. The plug "problem" is blown way out of proportion when you figure how many millions were built.

Super Trucker · Mar 12, 2015

Biggest problem with the v10 is the exhaust manifold. It is way restricted and cause heat build up in the head and pop goes the plug. If you can afford to drop the 1600$ to have the stainless headers put on DO IT ! I did when the manifold warped and picked up 1.5mpg . Had mine in a excursion pulling a 39' travel trailer. 10-15 mpg city and towing. I'd buy another when the time comes.

504 · Mar 12, 2015

Ours at work(F-450) will pass anything but a gas station. It gets a steady 7.8mpg

Bob · Mar 12, 2015

"problem with the v10 is the exhaust manifold. It is way restricted and cause heat build up in the head and pop goes the plug."

Sounds like a plausible explanation...

I hadn't heard that before... so is the issue of sparkplugs popping out of their little brothers, the 4.6's and 5.4's also caused by exhaust manifold design problems?

Moline_guy · Mar 12, 2015

Thanks everyone for the information, appreciate everyone taking time to put down there experiences. Right now I have a 96 chevy with 5.0 and a 98 with 5.7 and 92 ford with 5.0. All are good trucks, get descent milage and will pull 6.8 X 20 stock trailers fine. Thought this super duty might handle the trailer better, and I see a lot of them running down the highway, but most are diesels. Would like something that can haul a load, but still get descent mileage when its not working.

VicS · Mar 12, 2015

Our family has 4-5.4 engines now. Have had one that plugs twisted off removing them. 700 to change them 105000. After it started missing. Don't think a 04 is a 3 valve head. Think they started in 05. Shouldn't have any plug issues. But I needed manifolds at 170000. Burnt them up. That truck has pulled trailers for a lot of its miles.

Moline_guy · Mar 12, 2015

That's a nice truck Jon. I like the Massey 97 you have on there, neighbor had a propane version of that tractor years ago, just a neat old tractor.

David G · Mar 12, 2015

Get a Diesel if you pull a lot, you will not regret it.

dbNga · Mar 12, 2015

I have 02 f250 long bed ext cab, auto w/3.73 2wd. I can only get 15 on interstate doing speed limit empty. Pulling my 30 ft fifth wheel 7k lb camper I get 9-10 doing 65-70. It pulls camper like it's not back there. I have a
ford 3550 industrial w/fel and weighted wheels. Best I can determine according to manual it weighs 10k lbs and I know that is behind me. I don't drive truck everyday, I only have 66-68k miles. I am satisfied with its pulling, but always want more mpg. My '89 Chev Silverado long bed ext cab w/350,700r4 auto and 3.08 rear struggled with camper pulling in straight drive, forget o/d, but I get 20-21 on interstate and 8-9 struggling w/camper. Both trucks do there intended tasks well, but don't mix'em up.

Straw Boss · Mar 13, 2015

I have an '03 Excursion with a V10.
296,000 miles so far and no problems. Wife won't give it up until she hits 300,000 before she'll even think of looking to replace it. Granted it doesn't pull a lot of trailer miles like my pickup but it has pulled a 23' camper, a car trailer and when asked to a 300 bu seed tender all with no complaints. The seed tender I try not to fill full. The camper or car hauler you are in danger of forgetting its back there and you can pass anybody you have a mind to when you stick your foot in it. Gas tank is somewhere around 50 gallons so you can drive forever on long trips and not be stopping for fuel always. Takes a healthy check book to fill it but for just running around it gets about 13 mpg. Much better on long trips.
I have an Expedition with a 5.4 gets about 13 mpg.
I have an '01 F-250 crew cab with a 7.3 diesel.
You guessed it. About 13 mpg.
So I guess I'm saying it costs no more than any other big frame vehicle I own and repair wise has been about the cheapest over the long haul.
Not sure but I think you live in my state. My Excursion sits outside and doesn't have a plug in and has always started in 20 or more below zero temps. That's worth something if you depend on it for daily winter driving compared to a diesel. My diesel is plugged in nearly every day December through February. I guess you could say I'm a fan of the V10 and wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

magpiene · Mar 13, 2015

Right now I own 4 V-10's. Two in one ton vans, one of which I have put 175,000 miles on. The vans are a 97 and a 2000. One in a 2000 Excursion. The fourth in a 02 F-350. I have worked them all too death at different times. The only complaint is the fuel mileage. Most of the time around 10-12 empty, 7-8 with a heavy load at freeway speeds. All told about 300,000 miles combined. Only blew out one plug. I have no qualms about the V-10 engine

Ford V10 Good engine?

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