2000 F150 Triton 5.4L #&*@!! = $$$$$$$

[Diamondpilot]

From various sites I've read online while doing research on fixes, it seems the early 5.4l 2-valve engines had 5 threads in the aluminum heads which lead to the blow-outs. They "fixed" that problem in 2002 with the 3-valve engine and 8 threads. The problem is they didn't redesign the head and instead went to a 2-piece spark plug design which was not fully threaded and that lead to the next round of problems for the Triton which was plugs seizing and breaking off in the heads...

I found this kit from CalVan tools which is similar to the TimeSert kit and only $230 so I may have him buy this one instead. Either way, it will be a long weekend if we can get the tool in time.

You got it basically right, but I think the 3 valve did not come out till around 2005, not 2002.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

Again, no 3 valve 2002 engines, sorry. You're in my field of work now. You can go straighten out whoever blew that smoke up your rear.

Apparently, you are only thinking of US market engines. The 3-valve 5.4l came out in Australia in 2002 with a different plug design and the US market F-series in 2004. Those are the engines breaking plugs...
Ford Modular engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Dargo]

Apparently, you are only thinking of US market engines. The 3-valve 5.4l came out in Australia in 2002 with a different plug design and the US market F-series in 2004. Those are the engines breaking plugs...
Ford Modular engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My mistake, I thought NH was part of the United States. :roll eyes:

Worldwide, I can buy all the small diesel pickup trucks I want and have a huge selection of diesel cars as well. Unfortunately, that doesn't have anything to do with this thread or anyone posting who happens to reside in the US.

 

[Dmace]

My mistake, I thought NH was part of the United States. :roll eyes:

Worldwide, I can buy all the small diesel pickup trucks I want and have a huge selection of diesel cars as well. Unfortunately, that doesn't have anything to do with this thread or anyone posting who happens to reside in the US.

Obviously, you missed the point so let me clarify so you can follow.

You stated "no 3 valve 2002 engines", which was obviously wrong. The 3 valve engine made in Austrailia is the same engine that came to the US in 2004 so that is why I mentioned it. Sure you can get small diesel pickup trucks but those ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN THE US.

Anyone else have any USEFUL information instead of spouting a pissing contest...:anyone:

 

[Dargo]

Obviously, you missed the point so let me clarify so you can follow.

You stated "no 3 valve 2002 engines", which was obviously wrong. The 3 valve engine made in Austrailia is the same engine that came to the US in 2004 so that is why I mentioned it. Sure you can get small diesel pickup trucks but those ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN THE US.

Anyone else have any USEFUL information instead of spouting a pissing contest...:anyone:

Ya, right mate. Show us your 2002 3 valve V10 then. If not, buzz off since you clearly are unable to accept it when you are politely corrected with verifiable information. After all, you are the one who so politely stated "ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN THE US". Nobody here is going to believe that you were talking about buying a truck in Australia. Sorry, but you just flat out missed; period. Your attitude may be why you get no more replies after I gave you correct information with appropriate documentation which, in your own words, you deem as not useful. I can only assume you only want incorrect rumors and misinformation. Have a good day in the sandbox. I don't play that way.

 

[Dmace]

Ya, right mate. Show us your 2002 3 valve V10 then. If not, buzz off since you clearly are unable to accept it when you are politely corrected with verifiable information. After all, you are the one who so politely stated "ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN THE US". Nobody here is going to believe that you were talking about buying a truck in Australia. Sorry, but you just flat out missed; period. Your attitude may be why you get no more replies after I gave you correct information with appropriate documentation which, in your own words, you deem as not useful. I can only assume you only want incorrect rumors and misinformation. Have a good day in the sandbox. I don't play that way.

Amazing how you still don't get it. Just can't admit you were wrong and tried to show off spouting info no one needs like the firing order of a V10 when we're talking about V8's. :laughing:
I can't make it any clearer:
I said

They "fixed" that problem in 2002 with the 3-valve engine and 8 threads

You replied

You don't have any 2002 with 3 valves

You were wrong, they did redesign the V8 like I said. Granted it went to the Austrailian market first but IT'S THE SAME ENGINE THAT CAME TO THE US IN 2004. Nobody is talking about buying a truck in Australia. Once again, IT'S THE SAME ENGINE THAT CAME TO THE US IN 2004. :mur:

 

[Dargo]

You were wrong, they did redesign the V8 like I said.

Hey, we have a guy who knows more about Ford and Ford engines than Ford themselves. :laughing: :laughing: You just made the very small list I have of people who are not subject to logic, facts nor reasoning. You are telling me, and everyone on this site, that my quotes that came directly from Ford are wrong. Must be the fumes from that thousand hp tractor you have. :laughing: Buh bye!

 

[Dmace]

Hey, we have a guy who knows more about Ford and Ford engines than Ford themselves. :laughing: :laughing: You just made the very small list I have of people who are not subject to logic, facts nor reasoning. You are telling me, and everyone on this site, that my quotes that came directly from Ford are wrong. Must be the fumes from that thousand hp tractor you have. :laughing: Buh bye!

Typical, still can't admit you were wrong so now it has to move on to personal attacks like the size of my tractor. So which Ford engineer told you the 3-valve V8 5.4l was made in 2004 and has nothing to do with the 3-valve V8 5.4l made in the US factory plant and sold in an Australian vehicle in 2002...?

 

[Dargo]

Typical, still can't admit you were wrong so now it has to move on to personal attacks like the size of my tractor. So which Ford engineer told you the 3-valve V8 5.4l was made in 2004 and has nothing to do with the 3-valve V8 5.4l made in the US factory plant and sold in an Australian vehicle in 2002...?

You're so far off base that you forgot that links were posted to data. Write your own data and claim that those 1%'ers who designed and manufactured the engines don't know what they are doing. Go get 'em. Set 'em straight on how they really build their engines and how you know all their service repair manuals are just propaganda. LOL! You actually got me to laugh out loud. I'd mention the one other guy I'm going to put you with, but it may embarrass him.

Oh, I can't help you on your "little tractor syndrome". I don't own any large tractors myself. I guess you're still sore that my lawn mowers have more power. Don't let that bother you. Most guys with diesel ZTR mowers have more power than your tractor, but they do have quite a bit to mow. Ya buy what you need. Going for more or less than you need really makes no sense.

 

[Dmace]

You're so far off base that you forgot that links were posted to data.

There's no links to any of your "data" in your post. I can't make it any clearer. Ford redesigned the V8 5.4l in it's Essex Engine Plant in Ontario Canada in 2002. This is the SAME EXACT ENGINE that was put in the F150 in 2004. So the 3-valve engine was first built in 2002 not 2004. You were wrong, take your "facts" and go sell them somewhere else.

 

[deerefan]

Please, Dmace and Dargo, leave the thread. Go bicker in private messages. Because of this, the thread will be closed and someone will not be able to offer the op or other members what could be valuable input. We get it. You don't like each other. Keep it to yourselves. As far as spitting plugs and plug problems, was this on both non PI and PI heads? I do not recall this being an issue on Mustangs equipped with either the 4.6 or the 5.4 (Cobra). My 97 F150 with the 4.6 has not seemed to have any issues though the plugs were a little stiff last time I changed them.

 

[buck12]

One question: were both problems corrected in late model 5.4 motors? I ask because I have 09 f150 with the 5.4.

 

[Dmace]

Please, Dmace and Dargo, leave the thread. Go bicker in private messages. Because of this, the thread will be closed and someone will not be able to offer the op or other members what could be valuable input. We get it. You don't like each other. Keep it to yourselves. As far as spitting plugs and plug problems, was this on both non PI and PI heads? I do not recall this being an issue on Mustangs equipped with either the 4.6 or the 5.4 (Cobra). My 97 F150 with the 4.6 has not seemed to have any issues though the plugs were a little stiff last time I changed them.

First off, I'm not leaving the thread. I'm the one looking for help with this POS engine design. Dargo is just looking to start an argument as usual...
Secondly, the Mustangs had a different 4-valve head design and did not have the same problem. P.I. (performance improvement) heads were a Mustang (4-valve) thing as far as I know. I have heard of this problem with the 4.6l V8's too but not nearly as common.

One question: were both problems corrected in late model 5.4 motors? I ask because I have 09 f150 with the 5.4.

They still have the 3-valve design but I think they dropped the 2-piece spark plug design in 2008. They should still be changed every 30k to avoid having them stuck in the head or broken.

Back to my original problem, the tool from CalVan is on it's way. The up and coming holiday weekend will probably be spent under the hood of yet another dead Ford...

 

[Dargo]

Please, Dmace and Dargo, leave the thread. Go bicker in private messages. Because of this, the thread will be closed and someone will not be able to offer the op or other members what could be valuable input. We get it. You don't like each other. Keep it to yourselves. As far as spitting plugs and plug problems, was this on both non PI and PI heads? I do not recall this being an issue on Mustangs equipped with either the 4.6 or the 5.4 (Cobra). My 97 F150 with the 4.6 has not seemed to have any issues though the plugs were a little stiff last time I changed them.

No worries. That fella earned the distinction of being only one of two people on my ignore list. Someone has to be of absolutely no use to me to land there. You know, the sort who looks at the sun and tells you it's night time and throws a fit when you point out the obvious. Anyway, this subject has been part of my occupation for around 20 years. Besides simply knowing the facts from experience, I listed links for reference. I have all of the information, TSB's, recalls, and even OASIS reports right at my fingertips. However, I'm also not the type of guy to stand there and have someone pee on my foot and tell me it's raining out. I have nothing else to say in this thread. As the old saying goes, you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink. (and I was being nice by using that saying )

 

[Dargo]

One question: were both problems corrected in late model 5.4 motors? I ask because I have 09 f150 with the 5.4.

All fine. Great engine.

 

[oldballs]

:thumbsup:I gotta tell 'ya, I enjoyed this discussion from start to finish...well maybe it ain't over....:laughing: My 1999 F-250 Superduty (bought it new) has the original plugs at 65,000 miles. It has pulled many tons of rock and gravel, but I'm not in construction. Having been a Mopar owner for 50 years where changing plugs routinely was not big deal, I'm going to let this buggy go all the way until I die. Since I'm pushing 80 years old this buggy better get me there. P.S. it's never been in the shop and I do the routine maintenance....same is true for my 1999 Crown Vic at 40,000. Thanks, everybody. Mike

 

[deerefan]

First off, I'm not leaving the thread. I'm the one looking for help with this POS engine design. Dargo is just looking to start an argument as usual...
Secondly, the Mustangs had a different 4-valve head design and did not have the same problem. P.I. (performance improvement) heads were a Mustang (4-valve) thing as far as I know. I have heard of this problem with the 4.6l V8's too but not nearly as common.

They still have the 3-valve design but I think they dropped the 2-piece spark plug design in 2008. They should still be changed every 30k to avoid having them stuck in the head or broken.

Back to my original problem, the tool from CalVan is on it's way. The up and coming holiday weekend will probably be spent under the hood of yet another dead Ford...

I hope your problem gets remedied. I have been hesitant with Ford for the past decade. Between plug problems and 6.0 diesel issues, I just do not feel comfortable with them. I will say i had the opportunity to work a TT V6 hard a couple weekends ago and was impressed. As for the bickering with you and Dargo, it is really a hinderance. Both of you have a lot of useful knowledge and experiences that are very beneficial to me and other users. The arguing is really not a necessity and affects not only you but all others seeking useful info in threads. Between you, Dargo, DP and Builder it can get a little ridiculous. All of you make positive contributions but the bickering can really overshadow your useful input.

 

[Dmace]

For those still interested, we received the tool from CalVan yesterday. It was ordered through Amazon.com last week on Thursday using the standard 5-8 day shipping.

It took me a little over an hour as I've never done it before but it was very straight-forward and the informational DVD helped a lot. The kit as a whole is very well laid out and they thought of everything. Even a little hose with an air valve to find when the cylinder is BDC and the valves are closed.

After checking and re-checking, I connected the drill bit to my air ratchet and installed the guide in the spark plug hole. Slowly, I was able to drill out the old threads and clean out the debris with an air hose. Then I used the second bit that cuts new teeth into the aluminum head. Lastly was putting a little JB Weld on the new steel insert and threading it in along with a new spark plug to about 20 lb.ft. (The JB Weld is for the steel insert, not the spark plug). I let it dry for a couple of hours then started the truck and it sounds good. Much better idle, quieter and the two check engine lights (Bank 1 Sensor 1 Rich Condition and Lean Condition - P1131 & P1132) are gone. I must say, this tool is a MONEY SAVER!

I told him if I had to remove the head to fix the threads, it would be close to $1000 between gaskets, fluids, my time, etc... With this tool ($235 shipped) the whole job took less than 2 hours including prep and saved hundreds! I would have taken more pictures, but my hands were pretty dirty and I was excited to git-r-done!

Now to move onto the typical Ford rust in the door sills, rear fenders, rear bumper, bed supports, etc...

 

[Diamondpilot]

Glad you got it fixed. The one and only guy I know that had this issue, a V10 F350, had the same thing done.

Chris

 

[sandman2234]

Eh, most engines now have recessed sparkplug wells and Al heads.

Why? We now get 100HP/liter with MANY engine models and ultra-low emissions never before possible. Technological advances I tell you, advances!

Wife's new car is at 137 hp per liter. Not a big jump, but hp is hp...
David from jax