Ford F150 5.0L Coyote Engine: Problems, Longevity, and Specs

The 5.0L V8 engine, otherwise known as the 5.0L Coyote, is all about delivering the right amount of power needed by the Ford F150 light-duty truck. It was introduced in 2011 but it has undergone a revision in its 2018 model year. The engine is reliable enough that's why one of its key applications also included the iconic Mustang.

The F150 5.0L engine is still in use up to this day, which definitely speaks a lot of its quality. However, if you are an owner of this unit or you are looking to buy a vehicle equipped with it, there are some potential issues about it that you should be aware of. In this article, we will bare the most common problems encountered by users of the engine.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2011-now
• Average lifespan of Coyote:280,000-310,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:port injection, later-combined injection (port+direct)
• Power range:360-460 hp
• Fuel efficiency:awful
• Engine block material:aluminum
• Engine reliability score:high
• The most common problems:oil leaks, weak plugs and coils, electronic throttle issues, EGR problems.

Top Problems Found in the Ford F150 5.0L Coyote Engine

There are plenty of potential problems that may occur in the F150 5.0L engine depending on the way the truck is used as well as its maintenance schedules. It would take us a book to list them all here, but just for an easy reference, we have compiled only the most common problems related to the critical parts that are prone to premature wear. These important parts also require the most amount of attention because they can potentially cause major damage to your power unit if left unchecked.

Based on the number of complaints about them from owners and mentions in various reports, here are the most common problems encountered by users of the Ford F150 5.0L engine:

1. Connecting Rod Wear

There are a lot of complaints from F150 owners with the older version of the 5.0L Coyote engine about discovering metal filings in their oil reservoir. Although finding small amounts of metal specs in that part is only normal as the vehicle ages, having them in large amounts or having them at all in new engines may indicate looming problems.

If you notice metal fillings in your oil reservoir, it's a good idea to check for damage on your connecting rods. Connecting rod wear is a common issue in the early version of the F150 5.0-liter engine, which can lead to several symptoms including increased oil consumption, excessive engine noise, reduced engine power, and check engine light illuminated on your dashboard.

There are a few potential causes of connecting rod wear, but the most common is improper lubrication. If your engine isn't getting enough oil, or if the oil isn't correctly lubricating the connecting rods, they can start to wear down over time. This can be caused by a number of factors such as a leaking oil seal, a faulty oil pump, and an incorrect oil viscosity.

If you suspect that improper lubrication is causing your connecting rod to wear, the first thing you should do is check your engine's oil level. If it's low, top it off and see if the problem goes away. If it doesn't, you'll need to have your vehicle checked by a mechanic to determine the root cause of the issue.

There are a few different ways to fix connecting rod wear, depending on the severity of the problem. In some cases, simply replacing the worn-out parts is enough to solve the issue. However, in other cases, the entire engine may need to be rebuilt. The latter is a much more extensive and expensive repair, but it's often necessary if the connecting rod wear is complicated enough.

If you're experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it's important to have your vehicle diagnosed by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. Connecting rod wear can cause serious damage to your engine if left unchecked, so it's important to take care of the problem as soon as it's detected. With proper diagnosis and repair, you can keep your engine running smoothly for many miles to come.

2. Faulty Canister Purge Valve

Another F150 5.0L engine-related problem that is gaining plenty of attention in forums has something to do with a faulty canister purge valve. If your auto is displaying symptoms like frequent or unexpected fuel fill-ups, rough idling, engine misfires, and check engine light, it may be due to a faulty canister purge valve.

The canister purge valve is responsible for releasing vapors from the evaporative emission control system (EVAP) into the engine to be burned off. If the valve is stuck open, it will allow unburned fuel vapors to escape into the atmosphere, which will eventually lead to the symptoms listed above.

To properly diagnose a faulty canister purge valve, a mechanic will hook up a diagnostic tool to the vehicle's computer system and run a series of tests. If the results of these tests indicate that the canister purge valve is defective, it will need to be replaced.

There are a few different ways to fix a faulty canister purge valve, depending on the nature of the problem. In some cases, simply cleaning the valve with a can of compressed air may be enough to get it working properly again. If the valve is severely damaged, it will need to be replaced with a new one.

If you suspect that your Ford F150 5.0-liter engine may have a faulty canister purge valve, it's important to take it to a mechanic as soon as possible to have it diagnosed and repaired. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse and could eventually lead to costly repairs.

3. O2 Sensor Issue

When it comes to diagnosing potential problems with your Ford F150 5.0-liter engine, one of the first things you'll want to check for is a faulty oxygen sensor. O2 sensors play a crucial role in regulating the air-fuel mixture in your engine, and if they're not functioning properly, it can lead to many problems. Some common symptoms of a faulty oxygen sensor include activation of the check engine light, poor fuel economy, the engine running lean (too much air, not enough fuel), engine misfires, and catalytic converter failure.

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to have your vehicle checked out by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. You can also bring your truck to Ford for repair if you bought it brand-new and it is still covered by warranty. Either way, they will be able to properly diagnose the problem and determine if your oxygen sensor is indeed the root cause. Once they have dismissed the wiring and fuse as the roots of the problem, there are a few different options for repairing or replacing the sensor.

In some cases, simply cleaning the sensor may be enough to restore proper functioning. However, if the sensor is damaged or worn out, it will need to be replaced by a qualified mechanic.

If you suspect your oxygen sensor is causing problems with your Ford F150 5.0-liter engine, don't hesitate to have it checked out. By taking care of the problem early, you can avoid more serious and costly damage down the road.

4. Loose Timing Chain

The timing chain of the 5.0-liter Coyote engine is built to last with the F150. However, there have been mounting complaints about it, which are really hard to ignore.

One of the most common symptoms of timing chain wear in the F150 5.0-liter engine is a rattling noise coming from the front of the engine. This noise is caused by the timing chain slapping against the guides and tensioners as it wears. The noise will usually get worse as the chain wears more, and can eventually lead to engine damage if not fixed.

Other symptoms of timing chain wear can include a check engine light, loss of power, and misfires. If the timing chain is worn enough, it can jump a tooth on the sprocket, which will cause the engine to run rough and eventually stall.

If you suspect that your Ford F150 5.0-liter engine has a timing chain wear issue, the best way to confirm it is to have a professional mechanic check it out. They will be able to properly diagnose the problem and recommend the best solution.

Possible solutions for timing chain wear include replacing the timing chain, guides, and tensioners. On the other hand, if it's merely a calibration issue, maybe you can get out with just a realignment of the affected part. In some cases though, the engine may need to be rebuilt if the damage is severe enough.

If you suspect that your Ford F150 5.0-liter engine has a timing chain wear issue, the best way to confirm it is to have a professional mechanic check it out. They will be able to properly diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of action.

Durability of the Ford F150 5.0L Engine

If you're lucky enough to dodge the problems here due to the proper maintenance of your truck, then you are definitely in for a treat. This, coupled with good driving habits, can extend the life of your engine to over 280,000 miles before requiring an overhaul or swap.

Many owners of the F-150 and also the Mustang powered with this engine, find the tick issue common and annoying. We've written a long article about this problem in the 5.0L Coyote engines and you can check it to learn more.

Quick Look at the Key Specs of the Ford F150 5.0L Engine

The F150 5.0L Coyote comes from Ford's line of modular engines. It features a V8 design and dual overhead cam (DOHC) with variable camshaft timing (VCT) configuration. Thanks to its high compression ratio of 10.5:1 for the 2011 to 2017 model years and 12.0:1 for the 2018 to present model years, it's capable of delivering up to 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. As for the case of the F150 though, the numbers are only limited to 395 hp and 400 lb-ft, which are still impressive enough.

Conclusion

The F150 5.0L engine possesses plenty of power, but it also comes with potential risks. Among the most serious and most common are the ones shown here. But then again, there are also users of the engine that were able to get away with hundreds of miles in their trucks scot-free.

These facts make it hard to pinpoint whether the things mentioned here are just a design flaw in the part of the engine or it's due to bad maintenance from a number of owners. Regardless, it's always prudent to trim the problem as they start to root before they bloom into more complicated issues.