Ford V10 Life Expectancy Guide: Reliability and Problems
The type of engine you have in your truck or RV makes all the difference. You can get better fuel mileage, better performance and cut your repair costs down. All of that is a good thing. The Ford V10 may be the engine you are looking for.
This engine has a very good reliability reputation. But for you to experience that reliability, you should take care of your new Ford V10 and do proper routine maintenance. Good maintenance habits make sure you can get about 200,000 miles out of the Ford V10 motor.
To learn all about the Ford V10 motor and its reliability just keep reading our article. We provide you with the information you need to know. But be forewarned, nothing is perfect, so we will talk about potential Ford V10 problems as well.
Ford V10 Life Expectancy Guide 101
How Many Miles is a Ford V10 Good for
The word is that with proper maintenance and care, you should be able to get about 200,000 miles on a Ford V10 with ease. Of course, your experience may produce slightly less than stellar results.
The mileage you get will depend on your personal driving skills and habits. Some people are harder on their vehicles through their driving skills. Also, your results will vary due to the type of terrain you are constantly crossing. If you are doing a lot of mountain travel, then wear and tear will impact your mileage.
Finally, how good your normal maintenance will influence the miles you get. Proper oil changes, tune-ups and so on will help extend the mileage life of your Ford V10. Now it is possible that you do everything right and still not reach that 200,000-mile marker.
Not every engine will last that long due to certain weaknesses that come with the engine. One Ford V10 owner had trouble with their manifold and manifold bolts. These little imperfections should be expected and will help keep you from reaching high miles on your engine.
How Reliable is the Ford V10 Engine
The answer to that question is very simple. The Ford V10 is very reliable. There have been many reports from satisfied V10 owners who have gotten over 6 figures on their mileage and the engine is still running like a clock.
The slogan ‘built Ford tough’ really applies to the Ford V10, especially the 6.8-liter model. Minimal maintenance and it runs as smooth as it did when it was new. That seems to be the opinion of many satisfied V10 engine owners.
The one thing you may need to watch out for is your spark plugs. The Ford V10 Triton comes with an iron block while the spark plugs have both steel and aluminum threads. Aluminum expands more than steel does, you may see a spark plug pop out once in a while. There will always be these little things that will crop up and hurt performance. But these issues do not hurt the over-all reliability of the Ford V10. Some people are talking about how they may reach 300,000 miles with very few problems.
Ford V10 Advantages
Like any product made today, there are a lot of advantages that come with the Ford V10 engine. Here is a list of those advantages you get when switching to a vehicle that has a Ford V10 under the hood.
- 90,000-mile spark plug maintenance
- fail-safe coolant system that protects the engine when coolant is lost
- coil on plug ignition design for better mileage durability
- a silent chain cam drive which reduces noise and vibration
- electronic throttle control that replaces mechanical linkage for a seamless and consistent engine response
- an advanced level of valve control through its SOHC design
- a camshaft in each cylinder head that operates 3 valves
- low friction internal parts and a deep skirt engine block that provide better reliability and fuel economy
All of those components work together to provide you with a first-class engine that should last you a very long time. One last benefit you get with the V10 is that you have balanced forces to make sure the engine runs at peak performance all the time.
Common Ford 6.8 L V10 Problems
As we said earlier, nothing is perfect in this world. It is very difficult for imperfect people to produce perfection. That is why as great as the V10 is, you may experience certain problems throughout the years you own your vehicle.
Here are some of the problems that can arise:
- manifold and manifold bolt rust quickly and may break
- spark plugs that expand too much and pop out of their place
- coil on plug may have the engine running rough due to too much moisture exposure near the firewall
- can use a quart of oil between oil changes
- seals may loosen and leak a little oil on the driver’s side of the engine block
Your experience may show a few more problems that come with the V10. But these problems do not seem to hurt how well the V10 performs over the long haul. As we said, even with these issues, V10 owners are regularly getting low 6 figures in mileage and their engine is still going strong.
Misfire Problems
This does happen from time to time and if you look in the previous section you will see that part of the problem may come from the coil on the component that receives too much moisture.
It also may come from the sparkplugs that are becoming loose due to the different expansion rates between steel and aluminum. The best solution for this problem would be to replace your plugs, boots, and coils
You should do al of them at the same time to make sure you can track their life span easier. This will also make future repairs easier as you know how long each component has been in your vehicle.
A misfire is usually a problem with the ignition which would cover the spark plugs, coils and boots. But it could also mean that there is a problem with the fuel injectors. If you are not a good mechanic, it is best to take your vehicle to an honest mechanic you can trust to get the problem solved.
Stalling Problems
Isn’t it always the situation where you experience a problem and when you go to a dealer the problem never shows its face. That can happen when your Ford V10 stalls out, even if they have low miles on it. The good news is that the sources may not be that hard to find.
One place to look would be the switch that is built into the gas pedal. If this pedal malfunctions then the fuel delivery will be cut and your engine will stall. Other sources may be starting off too fast or dropping into gear before the engine has stopped revving.
If those sources are not the problem, it could be the fuel line is clogged or for some reason the fuel is not reaching the carb when you are going uphill. Or it could be the IAC component that controls the air when the throttle is closed.
It is hard to say which is your source because there are no definitive answers. Each situation may have a different source.
Starter Problems
If your vehicle does not start when you try jumping it, then you may have a starter problem. When this happens, it could be that the starter’s brushes have worn out and you need to replace the whole unit.
Or it could be the starter relay that has malfunctioned, and you would need to replace that part aw well. On the other hand, it may be something as simple as your connections. If they have gotten loose, then the starter won’t be able to run the motor over and you are stuck in your driveway.
Check the connections from the battery to your starter to your solenoid to see if they have come loose at all. Finally, turn your headlights on before starting your vehicle. If they do not come on or dim when you try to start your engine, then it is not the starter that is the problem.
You have a bad battery and it needs to be charged up or replaced.
Head Gasket
This can be a rare problem, but it can happen if the head gasket has been overheated, turbocharged or stressed in some other way. When you have a head gasket issue, don’t let the repair man talk you into expensive repairs. It is a straight-forward job that if done right, won’t take a lot of time.
The good thing about the V10 is that you only have to replace one head gasket and not work on the other one is that one has no issues. Also, the problem might not be with the head gasket. It could come from a sensor or the valve cover. Just make sure you are told the correct problem before okaying any repairs.
Your biggest worry is going to be the mechanic or repair shop that is thinking about doing the repairs. They may tell you that your warranty is no good and you are going to have to foot a $3,000 to $4,000 repair bill.
It is best to find another repair shop when you are told those stories.
Spark Plug
There is the rumor that the Ford V10 has a problem with the sparkplugs popping out of their place and stripping the threads. We say rumor even after stating this is one of the problems that this engine has because most of these stories are only written about and most V10 owners have not had that experience nor do they know anyone who has.
But that does not mean it does not happen. When it does, you will need to re-thread the spark plug case and replace the old spark plug. Now if you have other spark plug issues, it may be that they have grown old, gone past their validity date or experience other common spark plug issues.
Then you either clean the spark plug heads or replace them. When you replace the spark plugs on your V10 make sure to use the right torque and the anti-seize to make sure they function at peak levels.
You can also prevent spark plug popping by putting a steel insert in the threads
How to Extend your Ford V10 Life
The most common way to extend the life expectancy on your Ford V10 is to do proper and regular maintenance on it. Change the oil when needed, change the transmission fluid when told to and do other minor maintenance to make sure your engine is always running at ultimate levels.
Part of that routine maintenance will include changing your air filter on a regular basis as well as keeping fresh coolant in the radiator. Plus, you need to watch your driving habits. Over racing your engine will contribute to a shorter lifespan than driving defensively and keeping your motor at optimum rpm levels.
One trick you can invest in, about $250 or so, is a filter bypass system that filters your oil down to 1 micron. That is supposed to be 24 microns better than a regular full flow oil filter.
This extra filtering ensures less garbage is going through your engine and keeps it well protected.
Some Final Words
The Ford V10 is known for its reliability and its high mileage. It is not uncommon to read that owners are getting 150,000 to 250,000, with some reaching 300,00, miles without too many difficulties.
With proper routine maintenance and careful driving, you should reach those levels yourself. Then the Ford V10 comes with a lot of advantages which help make driving a lot more enjoyable. You can get up to 90,000 miles on your spark plugs as well as other benefits that make the engine very reliable and strong.
Just keep in mind that the V10 is not a perfect engine. It does have its share of problems but with the right repair work, it will still last you a very long time. If there is one thing about the V10 is that it may not be perfect but it is as close to perfection as you can get.
