[Mott883]

As I stated in my introduction this is my first sports car. I didn't state that I'm a female driver who has no clue just how great my car is. I need help fellow drivers. How great is this engine? What issues or secrets do I need to know about it? And no bragging that your is bigger and better. I seriously want to know what I have and how I should be driving this car for maximum performance and maximum fun.

 

[Kyle G.]

When I had my 07 4.0 I drove that engine hard quite often and it seemed solid. I owned it from about 71k miles to 86k miles so relatively low miles compared to some out there. I hear the thermostat housing can crack/leak causing antifreeze to spill. I never had that problem though. Definitely something to watch out for.

 

[Bullitt95]

As I stated in my introduction this is my first sports car. I didn't state that I'm a female driver who has no clue just how great my car is. I need help fellow drivers. How great is this engine? What issues or secrets do I need to know about it? And no bragging that your is bigger and better. I seriously want to know what I have and how I should be driving this car for maximum performance and maximum fun.

The Cologne 4.0L V6 engine was originally used in the Ford Explorer so it's an engine more suited for off-roading than being in a sports car. It's reliable and durable but with only 210hp & 250lbft at the flywheel, a V6 Mustang is no muscle car but it's no slouch either.
A JLT cold air intake kit with SCT self-tuner will add some performance and improve throttle response, while an aftermarket exhaust can improve the soundtrack and make the car more fun to drive.

 

[Crak88lx]

If you are asking what a SOHC engine is, it is a standard modular motor that uses two cams (one per head) hence how they get single over head cam (SOHC). They eliminate the need for pushrods and lifters, by using a gear to drive the cam and open the valves. They switched to these designs to better fuel efficiency, and also has other benefits like a higher rpm range compared to an OHV engine. Neither is "better" they use both designs in modern engines. Hope this helps.

 

[Tinkindling]

The 4.0 V6 is an older design, but I believe it is a reliable engine, and only you can answer whether it's the right Mustang engine for you.

If you want lots of power, and a rumbling exhaust note, the V8 would be the better choice. If you are just looking to own a stylish and iconic American pony car, the V6 will get you around, and it's probably fast enough for most purposes.

As for looking after it, regular fluid changes (oil, coolant) and paying attention to anything unusual should help you realize long service from this engine.

 

[AlloyPony]

I had the 4.0 SOHC with the 5-speed auto in a 2003 Ranger FX4 and it was a strong engine with good performance for what it was. A few years ago I was watching a game show on TV called "Pass Time" and a guy who claimed his Mustang 4.0 was stock ran the quarter mile in the 14s. I was very impressed. Can't remember his exact time but it was 14 something.

 

[MirageII]

As others have said, the 4.0L is a tried and true engine. It performs well for a 6 cylinder, and I love it in my '05 convertible.

If I was to point out a flaw, it would have to be the plastic thermostat housing that it came with from the factory. They WILL fail. The is a all metal housing available, a little pricey, but worth it.

Another annoyance is there is no dipstick for the transmission (automatic transmission, that is). Not much you can do about that one.

Other than that, I truly love my '05, 4.0L . I'm sure it's kept me from all kinds of trouble, tickets, etc.

Welcome aboard ! and Enjoy the ride!

 

[Mott883]

I have learned a lot already. Thanks everyone!
Like I said first sports car so I have found she has plenty of power for someone who has no clue of the power within.
I purchased the car used, so I'm still finding upgrades the pervious owner had done.
We have replaced a few things also.
Right now my biggest issue is the throw out bearing. I have had manual transmission since I started driving and never had clutch issues. I replaced it about 6 months after I purchased and now it is making the same winey noise it did when the other went out.
I won't claim I'm an expert when in comes to driving a standard, unless I'm talking to my husband. But how different are these sport cars to older trucks and cars?

 

[TexasBlownV8]

First of all, congrats on your purchase! For those of us who are real Mustang enthusiasts, it is not the power or modifications or customizations that are important. All Mustangs are cool, and to each his or her own on what they do to personalize it or change it, or leave it alone. Mainly, enjoy the car, enjoy talking about it and riding along with others

The 4.0L engine, as stated, is one stout little power plant. Very reliable.
The biggest issue with the 'engine' is not the engine itself, but stuff bolted to it. Mainly, the plastic thermostat housing is prone to breaking and leaking; happens to most of the engines eventually. Otherwise, people have put well over 200k miles on the engine, with very hard use, and it still keeps going strong.

 

[JimC]

It is a very strong engine as said, I ran a 75 shot of nitrous on mine for 2 years and at 90,000 miles pulled the nitrous off and installed the Xcharger Xtreme. When I sold the car in June 2012 it had 203,000 miles on it, raced it almost every weekend in the summer from the time I bought it in April 2006, so it was driven hard.

It was still running mid 12's the week before I sold it. And it still is running strong for the new owner.

 

[jek57]

I have a 09 v6 and i truly enjoy it with the right mods it can be quick little engine if that's what your looking for and the skies the limit as what you can do these cars.So enjoy it !

 

[ford4v429]

If you are asking what a SOHC engine is, it is a standard modular motor that uses two cams (one per head) hence how they get single over head cam (SOHC). They eliminate the need for pushrods and lifters, by using a gear to drive the cam and open the valves. They switched to these designs to better fuel efficiency, and also has other benefits like a higher rpm range compared to an OHV engine. Neither is "better" they use both designs in modern engines. Hope this helps.

the 4.0 V6 is chain driven- and weird... there is a chain that drives a dummy cam, a chain on front of the motor from the dummy cam to the passenger head camshaft, the rear of the dummy cam drives another chain to the drivers side head...servicing that requires engine removal- guess the thinking was to keep the decades old productiion machinery from the cam-in-block days around to produce a overhead cam design...also believe this approach only required one head casting be designed.
aside from being a bit heavy as its all iron, and its weird jackshaft drive, its a durable motor, makes decent power and due to its quite large size for a six, it sounds pretty decent too never heard of any head gasket issues on these, unlike many aluminum sixes ford has built over the years.
My wife has ran her 07 pony down the track quite a few times, totally stock, put in drive and floor it- but she had fun, ran mid 16s at 90mph.

we took ours out west this summer (5800 miles in two cars with the 4 kids) and she consistently only beat my stickshift 06 GT by only 1-2 mpg, so I dont think its the most economical V6 out there, but it was made to be a good match for a 'fun' car, not a econobox

enjoy it- as others mentioned, suggest picking up a spare thermostat housing, its on my list of things to do, they are about the only issue these 4.0s had- but a LOT of them are cracking. Love that vista Blue- we have 06-07-and 09 all in that color here

 

[Anvil 14]

The Cologne 4.0L V6 was used in the Mazda B4000,Ford Ranger,Explorer,Aerostar from 1990, 1997 to 2000. It was never installed in the Mustang. The 4.0L V6 SOHC was found in the 2001 to 2010 Mazda B4000,Ranger,Explorer,Aerostar and 2005 to 2010 Mustang. The Cologne 4.0L V6 had ,at most , 165hp. The 4.0L V6 SOHC has 210hp. Different engine. Knowing the 4.0L SOHC was found in pick-ups, there might be some pick-up parts that would work on the Mustang version,i.e. oil fill is on the right valve cover, not left.