Ford V10 engine maintenance

KQ2N · 03-15-2020, 11:19 AM

I've searched this site, and unless I'm not doing it correctly, I can't seem to find much information regarding the Ford V10 engine.

I have a 2013 Sunseeker 2860DS with the V10 engine. The engine now has 27,000 miles on it. On my 1300 mile trek south a few weeks back, about half way I had a check engine light come on. I was lucky in a sense to be near the RV repair facility in Ashland, VA. Using the scanner, it indicated random misfires. They replaced all plugs/wires, termed it a "tune up". When it didn't fix the check engine light they found one coil bad, replacing it fixed the issue.

My question; 27,000 miles seems a bit early to need a "tune up", I have cars with over 100,000 miles and never needed one. But, my main concern and question, since nobody likes to be caught on the road with a problem, are there any other preventitive measures one should take regarding the engine? I know about the coolant change recommendations, but how about just replacing the water pump for example? I've heard of several going bad on the road, not a good thing to happen. Change all coils?

I'd appreciate any suggestions - thanks!

SeaDog · 03-15-2020, 11:29 AM

I would not replace items unless they actually fail or have a timed life. Get yourself a code reader so if you do ever get another check engine light you will know what is happening.

A32Deuce · 03-15-2020, 11:32 AM

Sounds like an odd ball to me. Things can go bad with no rhyme or reason. It happens. V10 is a good engine. 95000 plus on our 2012. Had a coil go bad on DWs Escape while on a trip. Used the scan gauge from the RV to figure it out, correctly mind you, not how that shop did it, and replaced the coil. Good to go.

UpstateTiger · 03-15-2020, 12:10 PM

Agree V10 is a great engine. As KQ2N posted, last fall on our 3 week trip to Texas we had a similar misfiring issue (28,000 miles) as we entered Texas. Luckily, we found a great Ford dealer in Nacogdoches, Tipton Ford, who was able to get us in right away. They scanned the engine and found cylinder #5 misfiring caused by faulty coil. They replaced the coil and spark plug on cylinder #5 and we were on our way in two hours from arriving at the service center. No future problems.

KQ2N · 03-15-2020, 12:20 PM

Coincidence? My bad coil was on cylinder # 5 also.

joel ritchie · 03-15-2020, 12:52 PM

I have a 2014 3011 DS Forest River Forrester with a V 10 I don’t know if this would help you but they had a recall on the V10 and I took it to the Ford place and they downloaded new parameters and now it doesn’t downshift when you’re going up hills As often as it used to. Check out your Ford dealership and see if they have a recall for your your engine it sure made a big difference on mine. Hope this helps with people with the V10.

Tundra 2014 · 03-15-2020, 12:54 PM

Very good engine for durability and torque. Early on they had a problem w/ the spark plug design-3 piece. They recommended they be changed to newer version of plugs as they would break when removed. I believe the problem was corrected prior to 2013.

dahagen · 03-15-2020, 01:24 PM

I had the #1 coil fail a few years ago. 2013 Mirada. A wire shorted to the chassis and caused the problem. Shop said the insulation was worn through on the wire. Sent the bill to Ford and they paid it.

gdb9 · 03-15-2020, 02:01 PM

What Mpg with the V 10??

FORKLIFMAN · 03-15-2020, 02:03 PM

When I retired (Mobil Technician) we bought our used 2012 Georgetown on 2011 Ford Chassis , I did compression check and wanted to look at the plugs, just for giggles to make sure nothing was amiss. While plugs were out I just replaced them. No harm no foul.....

FYI. Motors no longer use spark plug wires. or a distributor, all the timing and firing of the plugs are controlled by an ECU. 10 Spark Plugs , 10 coils.

That being said, when your repair shop ,used the OBD reader, to check the ECO for codes, that would of showed a code number ,and maybe it stated a miss fire, They then look up the code , with an explanation that at cylinder 5 , there an issue with the coil, Be it the wires to the coil,the connection, or the coil itself. You check everything that is involved with That coil.

They may have just cleared the code, for the miss fire, put in the spark plugs. Then of course the fault returns , setting the code, with the MIL (Engine light) turning on again .

The Coil you needed, plugs no big deal, BUT if you paid for wires, you need to turn them into the BBB!

And the labor should not of been a lot of hours! Hour for code OBD hook up. Spark plugs 2 hours top, coils maybe 2 hours, for a total of 5 hours, MAYBE at the most?

Just my opinion and experience, hope this helps?

Cheers

fisherracing · 03-15-2020, 02:30 PM

Some Tech refer to "plug wires " to "the Boot and Spring On the Coil Pack"
Lot a time Changing the Boot will fix the MISS-FIRE. They do get small crackes in them
Just my imput working on them for years.

Kevin & Judy · 03-15-2020, 02:30 PM

Have had to replace 2 coil packs in 47,000 miles. Fords says it’s a common problem.

fisherracing · 03-15-2020, 03:10 PM

my 2009 E450 NEW has no Gotten over 6.2 mpg @ 13,500 lb.That is Highway/City Driving

dahagen · 03-15-2020, 03:56 PM

6.68 over 20K miles, fully loaded towing 2500 pound car.

rvrobocop · 03-15-2020, 04:19 PM

'11 3011 Sunseeker with 35,000 miles. No issues with any engine electronics. 7mpg towing 3400# and 9-10mpg without. I am not a 55mph driver.

GL1800Rider · 03-15-2020, 04:50 PM

My 2000 F250 with the 6.8 V10 only had a sensor replaced under emission warranty. Other than routine engine and transmission oil changes and filters nothing has been done. It's 20 years old this month.

As for mileage on my E450 we are averaging 8 mpg over 24,000 miles running 62-65 with the generator on and towing a 3000 lb. car.

Daddystribe · 03-15-2020, 07:51 PM

ASE Master Tech,40+ years. The plugs probally did not need changing at that low a mileage. Bad coils is a problem on Fords. As someone else said buy a inexpensive scanner and read the codes yourself. I have an 08 Georgetown V10
and carry 1 spare coil just in case. I have converted all my fluids to synthetics.
Normal inspection of the belts and hoses is recommended. Other than that not to much goes wrong on the V10.

FORKLIFMAN · 03-15-2020, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisherracing

Some Tech refer to "plug wires " to "the Boot and Spring On the Coil Pack"
Lot a time Changing the Boot will fix the MISS-FIRE. They do get small crackes in them
Just my imput working on them for years.

I stand corrected, and appreciate the information.

Cheers

bigmurph · 03-15-2020, 09:15 PM

Ford has had their share of coil problems on those engines. They are cheap enough and easy enough to change that you could always through one in your MH. My dad has a 2013 v10 and he carries 1qt of oil for the engine and one for the gen, a extra set of wiper blades (can't always get them at regular stores), a gallon of anti-freeze, and he will have a spare belt when I replace his soon (because of age). I will just toss his old belt in the box with the other items.

DouglasReid · 03-16-2020, 04:32 AM

I know your vehicle is a FR RV, but, it is also a FORD, actually a very fancy cab for a FORD. My suggestion is to go to a Ford forum that is specifically for that V10 engine and transmission.

There you will find people with much more expertise than on this forum. Im not denigrating this forum at all, but a forum dedicated to the engine and transmission will have, IMHO even more persons with more knowledge.

You may also like: