Ford's V 10
- Thread starter KMMAC
- Start date
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joe julkowski
New member
I just bought my 3rd one my first was 99 second one 03 and now an 08 all three have been reliable gas mileage isnt great.They are less costly to own then a desiel though.
All three have been great trucks.
All three have been great trucks.
The V-10 is a great motor. I do a lot of reading on them on FTE forum and very few problems... no complaints with my '02, I love it. Make sure to run OEM spark plugs torqued to spec to prevent them from getting spit out and keep an eye on the Exhaust Manifold studs, they are prone to failure but not too expensive if they do break and you get it fixed quickly.
Other than that, they are nearly bulletproof... reportedly very easily run to 300K miles with regular care and maintenance.
Other than that, they are nearly bulletproof... reportedly very easily run to 300K miles with regular care and maintenance.
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Freeride1
Well-known member
Spark plugs are the biggest problem. They come out hard/break off / get shot out. There is a kit for repairing the ones that get shot out that makes it fixable in the truck pretty easily.
They are a smooth motor and better than the V8 in my opinion. I run a 32 foot class A with a 20 foot trailer full of bikes in the summer and it can run down the highway 65 pretty easily and doesn't sound like it is going to come uncunted on hills whne it downshifts.
They are a smooth motor and better than the V8 in my opinion. I run a 32 foot class A with a 20 foot trailer full of bikes in the summer and it can run down the highway 65 pretty easily and doesn't sound like it is going to come uncunted on hills whne it downshifts.
So,, the problem with the spark plugs, are they those tiny ones like all the rest of the motors are using? Are the heads aluminum? Would it be wise to use a star lock washer with them or would that be worse? I know the plug is tapered where it seats to the head but, if you could find the right size washer that would catch the outer edge of the plug, the plug would still seat and get tight. Also, this fix you talk about, is it those heli-coils? I've never been a fan of them. Is there any performance stuff that can be done besides headers, or has ford locked up the computer on this model also.
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Yes, they use the same oddball plugs as the 4.6 and 5.4. There are several different kits to fix the spark plug issue. Yes, the heads are aluminum. There are several programmers available for the V10. I think most of the repair kits use time-serts.
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itsallgood
Member
My dad has a 99, 8 mpg & only has about 400ft lbs of torque? If you can swing the difference for a diesel I wouldn't look back.
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prairie poo
New member
Had a 99 with a auto, great truck, bought a diesel instead. I would suggest a 2005 or newer, 3 valve motor, 5 spd auto, more power and a more efficient way of getting the power. I may just get another one.
V-10
I have had 3 V-10's that were the 99-to 2004 motors. Power is decent and they are extremly dependable. The problem with the plugs blowing out of the heads was that the plugs did not have enough threads on them and would get loose from the expansion of the aluminum. They went to a different plug that had threads that were twice as long and when torqued properly elimiminated the problem. I Just bought a 2008 and the power difference is substantial and with the Torqueshift tranny it pulls great and gets much better fuel mileage then my old ones. I realisticly get 15 to 16 empty and get about 12 towing my camper or my sleds. I would definatly recommend buying one if you dont wanna spend the coin for a diesel. Much cheaper to own and maintain then the diesel. Just try and find a 2005 and up with the 3 valve motor and I think you will be very happy.
I have had 3 V-10's that were the 99-to 2004 motors. Power is decent and they are extremly dependable. The problem with the plugs blowing out of the heads was that the plugs did not have enough threads on them and would get loose from the expansion of the aluminum. They went to a different plug that had threads that were twice as long and when torqued properly elimiminated the problem. I Just bought a 2008 and the power difference is substantial and with the Torqueshift tranny it pulls great and gets much better fuel mileage then my old ones. I realisticly get 15 to 16 empty and get about 12 towing my camper or my sleds. I would definatly recommend buying one if you dont wanna spend the coin for a diesel. Much cheaper to own and maintain then the diesel. Just try and find a 2005 and up with the 3 valve motor and I think you will be very happy.
i like my 2008 V-10! its great for snowplowing and towing... just gas mileage isn't the best. the motor is rated at 362HP and 457 ft/Torque..i think the older ones are around 310hp and 425ft/torque
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itsallgood
Member
To me its more of a ease of towing deal vs mpg. My diesel towed my boat out to Powel & MPGs where less than 11 so towing MPG isn’t a huge difference. I was disappointed after getting a diesel thinking my mileage would significantly improve. The main advantage for me is all the torque low in the rpm band. You can zip up a mtn pass w/ a load & not have the transmission constantly switching gears & or revving the crap out of the motor. My parents went on a trip last fall with the 99 V-10 & literally didn’t think the truck was going to get the 5th wheel over the pass. They were so pissed they were ready to sell it till they realized cost difference for the same truck w/ the diesel. I’ve towed that same 5th wheel over mtn. passes & have no problem maintaining speed.
All that being said its certainly a step up over the smaller gas motors. They haven’t really had any problems with it other than a couple coil packs & routine maintenance.
All that being said its certainly a step up over the smaller gas motors. They haven’t really had any problems with it other than a couple coil packs & routine maintenance.
Thanks guys,,, this is the info I'm lookin for ! Nice to know there is a fix for the older V 10. So my next question is are there any REAL chip, header combo's that work? Not gonna be able to buy the newer motor so have to work with what I can afford. Thanks for any replies..
On another note,,, it's been said this engine has a problem of breaking exhaust manifold bolts, so, what is the cure? If I am able to buy this truck kinda plan on headers. Can stainless steel bolts be used with the aluminum heads? What's the remedy for this problem?
On another note,,, it's been said this engine has a problem of breaking exhaust manifold bolts, so, what is the cure? If I am able to buy this truck kinda plan on headers. Can stainless steel bolts be used with the aluminum heads? What's the remedy for this problem?
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Chip
Banks makes a nice system that really wakes the v-10 up.
Banks makes a nice system that really wakes the v-10 up.
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likinit2
Member
Sounds like a lot of v10 fans on here, I had a 2000 v10 in an excursion. That Excursion was the nicest rig I have ever owned and I currently drive a 2008 3500 LTZ Chevy crew cab. It only had a few drawbacks like ball joints, exhaust manifold studs, spark plug getting stripped out, differential seal leaking, automatic locks failing. At 80,000 miles I took it to the dealer to have the plugs changed (even though the manual said 100,000) The bill for changing the plugs and coil boots was over 900.00 alone! Then they wanted to tack on almost another 300.00 for repairing the plug they stripped out! They didn't even try to fix the broken exhaust manifold bolt. It was 90,000 miles and the front end was shot, ball joints on both sides, tie rod ends and I had one hub that kept sticking so new hubs as well. Not to mention the girth of these trucks gives them no advantage. They don't drive well, handle like a 26' straight truck and have a poor turning radius. I replaced it with a Chevy 5.3 crew cab 1500 which did "ok" and I turned around 2 years later and got the 3500 Chevy crew long box single wheel with a 6.0L gas that does a real nice job. I'm not bashing and I can't say if any other brand in this era were much better. All I can say is I thought my previous Fords and Chevys were better vehicles to me.
v10
drive 05 excursion w v10. my v10 is the 2 valve so the lower hp/torque.
adequate for towing power on level ground but up a step grade it struggles (when i tow it is a loaded trailers 8000-12000 lbs)
it will get the job done but not even close to a diesel for such work.
but given 90% of my driving is not towing is easier / cheaper to have the gas engine.
all that said, if $ not a big factor would go with a diesel for the unbeatable power and for me would go newer for the lower noise/vibration. in future i will definitely go diesel as have stopped making v10 (big mistake Ford as the replacement gas engine does not have the torque of the v10)
drive 05 excursion w v10. my v10 is the 2 valve so the lower hp/torque.
adequate for towing power on level ground but up a step grade it struggles (when i tow it is a loaded trailers 8000-12000 lbs)
it will get the job done but not even close to a diesel for such work.
but given 90% of my driving is not towing is easier / cheaper to have the gas engine.
all that said, if $ not a big factor would go with a diesel for the unbeatable power and for me would go newer for the lower noise/vibration. in future i will definitely go diesel as have stopped making v10 (big mistake Ford as the replacement gas engine does not have the torque of the v10)
I am running an 2005, F250 V10, has 115,000 on the motor.
Just changed the spark plugs this weekend.
Other than that I have had ZERO mechanical issue with the motor.
Only problem with the truck that has ever happened was a bad fuel pump.
Otherwise she has been rock solid.!
Plenty enough power to tow a 40ft boat with, let alone any sled trailer.
Mileage is poor though, but I have a 4.10 in the rearend.
Just changed the spark plugs this weekend.
Other than that I have had ZERO mechanical issue with the motor.
Only problem with the truck that has ever happened was a bad fuel pump.
Otherwise she has been rock solid.!
Plenty enough power to tow a 40ft boat with, let alone any sled trailer.
Mileage is poor though, but I have a 4.10 in the rearend.
Ouch
First off your dealer gave you the shaft on the spark plug and coil boot job. I have been a Mechanic for 17 Years now and I change plugs in these motors using motorcraft plugs and boots and can get a customer out the door for about $400 Bucks, second I think the reason you had the issues with the ball joints and tie rod ends is due to where you live. the road salts and humidity is hard as heck on vehicles out there. Usually Im doing those items on customers vehicles around 150-180K before they need them. Same with the exhaust manifold studs. The enviroment is harsh on things out that way. Here in Colorado you can have a vehicle 10 years older and the rust factor is not nearly as bad as a vehicle thats only a couple of years old out there. The Chevy 6.0 is a good running motor only thing I frequently see out here with those are oil leaks.
First off your dealer gave you the shaft on the spark plug and coil boot job. I have been a Mechanic for 17 Years now and I change plugs in these motors using motorcraft plugs and boots and can get a customer out the door for about $400 Bucks, second I think the reason you had the issues with the ball joints and tie rod ends is due to where you live. the road salts and humidity is hard as heck on vehicles out there. Usually Im doing those items on customers vehicles around 150-180K before they need them. Same with the exhaust manifold studs. The enviroment is harsh on things out that way. Here in Colorado you can have a vehicle 10 years older and the rust factor is not nearly as bad as a vehicle thats only a couple of years old out there. The Chevy 6.0 is a good running motor only thing I frequently see out here with those are oil leaks.
