Goodbye Econoline

buck12 · Mar 6, 2012

Dmace said:
My point was to elaborate (as asked above) on my comment on how I don't trust an auto manufacturer that can't sell a good reliable engine without some major problem or recall like Ford. I did rebuild a tranny on a 98 Dakota at 160k and two front wheel bearings on my 03 RAM at 100k but don't see either as "problems" considering the mileage and use.
I find it hard to believe you haven't had engine problems which are so common, try keeping a vehicle for more than 150k miles and see how they hold up...

By the time this new van comes out the EcoBoost will have a few more years under it's belt so it could be a real winner but I wouldn't want to work on it.

Not here to bash a brand but thought I would show one engine Ford got right. I bought this truck new in 93 and the engine has been trouble free. The valve covers have never been off.

Diamondpilot · Mar 7, 2012

Red Horse said:
Wow- that is quite a litany of troublesome vehicles- I gather you are about 80 to have gone through so many vehicles. But what is truly amazing is that Ford has sold so many of these things-let's hope the word doesn't get out. I hope 60 Minutes or Dateline doesn't monitor this site because if it does Ford is in deep S--T!

Myself? I guess I'm lucky. Owned nothing but Fords since my first new Mustang GT in 1966. Worst experience? A real nice 94 Taurus LX with a 3.8 that came down with the infamous head gasket disease at about 88,000 miles--and that admittedly was not a good motor from that perspective.. Vehicle that the SHO replaced was an 07 Crown Vic Sport with about 97,000 when the new SHO came in. It had one trip to the shop in that time- an AC issue. CV I had before that had 216,000 on it! In its life, the control for the air suspension went, and it had one other issue associated also with AC control and another that was I believe knock sensor related. Never however had a road failure that brought me in on the hook. Opps- forgot about the 94 Taurus- Idler siezed and the serpentine went-made it to the dealer though. Not bad huh? Yeah I know-I'm lucky.

But thanks for the heads up on all the issues. And actually I was thinking of finding a nice clean F-350 dump with a 7.3 but based on your report I'll probably drop that idea. I also better let one of my kids know that his 5.4 150 that is pushing 150,000 is suspect-for sure he better not hook up his 23' Mako to it anymore because that will kill it for sure.

Again, "Happy Wrenching" and thanks for your insights

Too funny...

Chris

deerefan · Mar 8, 2012

The econoline is going away?? That is going to cause an uproar in the serial killer and pedophile community...sorry, couldn't resist. I drove one for a year and a half as a parts chaser, late 80s-early 90s model. I believe it had the 300-6. When I left the company, it was still going at around 280k miles. I remember working on it from inside the cab, removing a panel under the radio and a/c controls.

deerefan · Mar 8, 2012

buck12 said:
Not here to bash a brand but thought I would show one engine Ford got right. I bought this truck new in 93 and the engine has been trouble free. The valve covers have never been off.

What drivetrain? Really liked that year ford. I always wanted a reg cab 4x4 with a stick and a 300-6.

Red Horse · Mar 8, 2012

deerefan said:
What drivetrain? Really liked that year ford. I always wanted a reg cab 4x4 with a stick and a 300-6.

The 300 6 was a great motor- change the oil and maybe the plugs every now and then. I do believe many of the airport tugs that pull the baggage carts are still 300-6 powered.

buck12 · Mar 8, 2012

deerefan said:
What drivetrain? Really liked that year ford. I always wanted a reg cab 4x4 with a stick and a 300-6.

302 with auto

HHR · Mar 8, 2012

We once owned a two-tone brown 1984 E150 short wheelbase passenger van with the 300 I6 and a 4 speed MANUAL tranny (w/overdrive). Combined with the 3.07 rear end, highway mileage was around 20 mpg.

Diamondpilot · Mar 8, 2012

Red Horse said:
The 300 6 was a great motor- change the oil and maybe the plugs every now and then. I do believe many of the airport tugs that pull the baggage carts are still 300-6 powered.

Yep, the vast majority I have been around in my 25 years plus working at airports are 300-6 Fords.

Chris