2004 FordF150, FX4, 5.4l V8, with 3 valves per cylinder

[civilian]

My daughter has one for sale, About 128k miles. My question is what are the problems with this engine? Some used car salesman told me that he would put one on his lot to sell unless there was proof that the engine had been rebuilt, or a new one installed. Comments? It is fairly clean, I know she wants the most dollar she can get, but neither of us have heard of this engine problem. Thanks in advance for your thoghts. Jon

 

[coobie]

My daughter has one for sale, About 128k miles. My question is what are the problems with this engine? Some used car salesman told me that he would put one on his lot to sell unless there was proof that the engine had been rebuilt, or a new one installed. Comments? It is fairly clean, I know she wants the most dollar she can get, but neither of us have heard of this engine problem. Thanks in advance for your thoghts. Jon

I have a 2006 ford-f150 with the 5.4 triton.Had to have both manifolds changed $525 per side.Spark plugs are a pain in the *** to change.Some folks say cam phasers are a problem also.I have around 107,000 miles on my truck IMHO it has been a decent truck.

 

[Haoleguy]

Sounds like car salesman bs. The only known consistent issue I know of is problems in changing spark plugs.

 

[fxdb96]

Cam phasers

 

[CurlyDave]

The 2004 diesels were dogs, but these were F 250 and F 350.

The Tritons were decent engines. I have a 2000 F 150 with the Triton and it is still going at ~ 180k. But it is on its last legs.

My experience has been that a private sale will almost always allow you to undercut the asking price on a lot and yet put more $ in your own pocket. If you have the time and patience to wait for a buyer.

 

[TMGT]

Have two of them in the family, 05 and 07. As stated the plugs are problematic, however if they've been changed with the updated plugs you'll be fine.

Cam phasers can act up and manifolds have a tendency to warp, they actually aren't that hard to replace as long as the bolts don't break.

I like them, much better engine then the 4.6L.

 

[brown40]

There are a pile of them out there, and honestly I have not heard any complaints. I know folks with them in 150's and 250's and the only thing that sticks out, is that they don't complain about them. I think emissions were likely the motivation to start dropping displacement.

 

[civilian]

I agree with the used car salesman bs. However, I have heard of a few with "blown" engines, one a 150, the other a 250. Just don't know the exact reasons for them. Also agree on trying to sell it privately for better dollar. I just wanted to hear if others around the country had engine problems. It has been a good running truck for her with the usual items of oil changes, brake jobs, tires etc. Thanks for the replies. Jon

 

[deezler]

As states by other the spark plugs are problematic. They can pull the threads out of the head. Exhaust manifold design is also not real good. Otherwise it's a pretty stout motor, but, thirsty. Expect low teens for mpgs.

Honestly a Chevy 5.3L is a better, more reliable and economical engine.

 

[Infinite Wisdom]

Perhaps the salesman is confused.

1997 and early 1998 5.4L engines developed a reputation for piston slap due to a manufacturing error. After that I think the engine was pretty solid.

 

[vrmnthntr]

As everyone has already said. Spark plug problems, cam phasers, and manifolds.

We have a 2004 with 81,000 miles. Nothing but routine maintenance. There is the tick from the cam phasers. Original plugs are in it and won't come out until they have to.

 

[Diamondpilot]

He has no clue. I know of a dozen or more with 175,000 miles or more. My BIL has a 09 F150 with 180,000 miles. He broke 2 plugs changing them but other than that nothing else. My Sister has a 07 Expedition with 150,000 miles and not a single issue but she has had both power front windows changed and a power mirror that stopped working. My neighbors son has a 04 F150 with 225,000 miles. To date the biggest issue was the tranny had to be rebuilt. Cost $1,200 with all the updates.

Yes, plugs and cam phasers can be a issue but routine maintenance as with anything helps.

 

[civilian]

Otherwise it's a pretty stout motor, but, thirsty. Expect low teens for mpgs

I just brought it from DC to Northern Michigan on Monday, running speed limits+ 3 mph and got 15mpg for almost 500 miles. 36 gal sure travels a long way between fill ups. My 2007 Tundra with the 5.7L V8, got high 16 almost 17 mpg on the trip out. But only 26 gal tank.

Thanks for the comments. Jon

 

[TractorGuy]

Have two of them in the family, 05 and 07. As stated the plugs are problematic, however if they've been changed with the updated plugs you'll be fine.

Cam phasers can act up and manifolds have a tendency to warp, they actually aren't that hard to replace as long as the bolts don't break.

I like them, much better engine then the 4.6L.

The only way to "update" the plugs is to change the cylinder heads. The pre 2007 engines were the ones that could break the plug shields off when the plugs are removed. The newer style had completely different heads.

I have a 2 valve 4.6 with 157k on the clock that has been bulletproof. It has spent a good bit of miles pulling a loaded car trailer. Changed plugs at 100k with no issues.

 

[TMGT]

The change to a more traditional plug was made in late 07 for the 08 model year. There is an updated plug for the 04-07 3v. It uses a stronger one-piece lower section.
As for the 4.6, there are a lot of them running and they are good engines, however from experience working on them most of my life in the automotive industry, the 5.4 3v seems to hold up a little better, especially in the truck and full size car applications.

 

[sld]

The updated plug is one piece instead of two piece. No more breaking on removal.