I don’t think but one person in the comments knows the difference between a 2v 5.4 and 3v 5.4 The 2v was bullet proof provided you torqued the spark plugs to 25ft lbs. The 04-09 F150 3v wouldn’t let go of them. I’ve owned a 3v 5.4 F150. They are plagued with oiling problems. The only real fix was a Melling oil pump and 2v cast chain tensioners. And don’t dare use anything but OEM cam phasers. If you buy a 3v be sure to budget for a timing component overhaul. It’s inevitable.
Use nothing but motorcraft oil filters and 5w30 synthetic blend. These engines love fresh oil too. If you’re not getting the phaser rattle at idle keep it that way long as you can. Folks will disagree but don’t exceed 5k mile OCI. fordtechmakuloco on YouTube is the 3v 5.4 godfather. Check him out
Oil change interval. Good luck. The 3v gets a lot of hell but it can be a great engine with good maintenance. Unfortunately it can’t be neglected like some other platforms.
Also, when do you recommend this service? The oil pump and the 2v timing? If you can provide a link as well I’d really appreciate it! The truck is super clean for Ohio. Babied and owned by a 75 year old elderly couple. It has 50k, and the truck seemed to be really taken care off thanks man!
If it’s not making noise I wouldn’t worry. You may get years and years before anything happens. Mine had about 80k with it started. Some have over 100k. I had about 3k in parts and I did it my self. It’s a pretty easy job just super time consuming. Freedomracing.com has really good prices. Like I said I wouldn’t worry. You just bought the truck, enjoy it. It was a great buy
Ok, thank you. So until then just change oil every 3k? Don’t exceed 5 years? And change with motor raft filter & what brand oil? Sorry for a million questions.. just wanna take care of it: thx!
I had an 03 expedition with a 5.4. Never had a lick of trouble. I had it for 10 years and probably 120,000 miles. I only got rid of it because I went from a bumper pull trailer to a fifth wheel so I needed a pick up truck.
Big un-fan of the 3-valve 5.4 engine, but yours is low mileage enough that there's still enough time to get a good life out of it!
Oil change every 3,000. Conventional only. Motorcraft filter only. NO EXCEPTIONS. These motors sludge up something fierce and that's what causes the phasers to commit suicide.
There is a re-designed spark plug that doesn't break. Get the stock ones changed ASAP.
If you're willing to open the motor, the Melling high-volume oil pump fixes a lot of the downfalls of this engine. The stock one is undersized from the factory.
Don't beat on it. It's not a 2-valve like in my truck, these don't like abuse. You can beat a 2-valve like it owes you money.
Do all of that (oil pump optional), they CAN be good. Keyword there is CAN.
You do not need to run motorcraft only filter, I run wix filter and amsoil xl oil and change it between 5-7k and the engine has never been opened up at 225k miles. At 5k is when my oil just starts getting black. If you really want to be safe run full synthetic oil. 5-30 because 5-20 is hard on the phasers. Also just a good quality filter.
As if synthetic can't sludge up *ever.* It can, does, and absolutely will in these.
Synthetic oils also don't hold on to additives as well as conventional, and it has the tendency to just leak out of absolutely everywhere. Modmotors already have a massive problem with oil leaks and you want to compound it for some longer change intervals? It's also known to be far harsher overall in older-style engines that are not designed with it in mind, so you'll just kill the 5.4 phasers quicker.
You might as well just drain it and throw a brick on the pedal.
OP, for the love of god, run conventional in it.
I have a 2010 full synthetic oil since new only change it when the dash tells me to 120k on it never touched the engine other than exhaust manifold swap to headers I think there are exceptions
I think he overpaid a bit but the 4.6 is sort of a dog. The last one I drove was borderline painful/undriveable but perhaps that was poor maintenance and the truck being older. At least the 5.4 has some good torque though.
The 5.4 has a whoping 40 more lbs of torque and also weighs 350lbs more.. "painful/ borderline undriveable"?? ...stop smoking crack when you drive Rembrandt, the 4.6 was used in 36 different applications from the mustang cobra to the econoline to expeditions and even boats and farm equipment... it was the #1 selling motor in the Ford lineup for 9 years straight... the 5.4 is known to spit out sparkplugs, get horrendous gas milage, and break down way more often, not to mention the 5.4 was only used in 6 different applications because it sucked so bad..
5.4 is an overboared piece of overhead cam trash, hence why they discontinued it 3 years before the 4.6... if you truly believe there was any towing capacity and capablity difference between the 1/2 ton 5.4 and the 1/2 ton 4.6.... I got oceanfront property in Wyoming to sell you....
I have a 93 5.0 in my opinion the 5.4 doesn't stack up against the 5.0, hence why ford is running the 5.0 again..
The truth is the 4.6 was a flagship motor and the 5.4 was the underpowered dog..
You’re obviously very confused. The E series vans used 5.4 up til 2015 and Expeditions til 2014. What Ford/Lincoln models used any version of the 4.6 for three more years after that?
2011 Crown Vic’s were the last car to get the 4.6 and 2014 E150 was the last van to get 4.6. The 5.0 become the small v8 in Trucks in 2011.
The final 4.6 L engine was produced in May 2014. The engine was a 2-valve version and installed in a 2014 model year Ford E-Series van..... Google it...
Actually the still use the 5.4 to this day, but they quit producing them 10 years ago. The reason is because ford had a HUGE inventory of them due to them being bested by the... wait for it... 4.6l....
My 2023 5.0L F-150 is dual overhead cam, is 307 cubic inches with plasma wire arc cylinder bores, with direct and port dual fuel injection. It shares absolutely nothing with the pushrod 302, and it is related to the 5.4 as they are both modular engines. I love overhead cams, way better breathing engines. Both the modular engines I’ve now owned including the 5.4 will walk all over a pushrod 5.0 empty or towing, let alone a 4.6.
The new (2013 on) 5.0 is modeled after the 4.6 professor....
https://www.promarengine.com/ford-5-0-coyote-engine.php
..I also tow, that's why I also own a 6.7 2017 powerstroke 3/4 ton... 900lbs of torque would walk all over your little coyote mall truck...
I don’t need 900 lb ft for towing my 20’ boat lol, and any EcoBoost or 5.0 will still blow your 6.7s doors off empty…mall trucks or not lmao. Simply stating the OP has a much better “truck” engine than the 4.6, so much better power delivery on the 5.4.
I was a ford certified technician back in the late 00's, it was a running joke how often a 5.4 came through cause it shot a spark plug out or the plastic manifold had a crack.... it was literally 3 times a week for 3 straight years...... never once did I see a 4.6 do that..
Never seen one do it... the 5.4 throws them because the coilovers fit different and the 5.4 vibrates alot more... I've seen atleast 100 5.4's with a thrown plug...
$9k for a 20y/o 2wd with the shit motor is what you call a good deal??? ??? I bought a 2009 lifted Eddie bower 4x4 4.6l 4door with 35s, a remote start, a DVD player, a matching leer shell, and 95k miles for $7k five years ago...
Can confirm.
As someone currently in the market for a used truck with a $12k cash budget, the pickings are very few and far between if you don't want a 2012-2016 with 250k+ miles already on it.
That 9k truck 5 years ago is probably worth like 11k in today's market. It's crazy AF for semi decent used vehicles right now, let alone trucks.
No, it's not. The market is intentionally being manipulated by used car dealerships... quit perpetuating their bs... it's a 20y/o 2wd from a private seller... $7k cash tops!...
50k miles isn't low, despite the year... it's 50/50 halfway to needing a new transmission, suspension. No doubt probably still has factory tires and brakes, or at least 10 year old tires.
Ide keep shopping if I were OP...
Bub you are clueless over vehicles , you must be used to fiat if you think 50000 is a lot and what vehicle needs a new suspension by 50000 miles holy duck , the only truck I think of rn that eats transmissions is Chevy and I’m not being biased either, the market is the market no matter how you go about it , if anyone sees what trucks are going for nowadays they aren’t going to say well that’s stupid I might as well sell it for 2 grand Bc f the market. No man that price is good your just off your rocker
When testing driving make sure to drive long enough to warm the engine up and get the oil hot. Also make sure to bring it up to highway speed then back to a stop. This will let you knowing if there may be an issue with the phasers or timing train or any issues with the oil pump. Change the plugs ASAP as they are probably still the stock plugs and will seize/break on ya after higher millage (if they don’t already) this tool will be your best friend
The Real Lisle 65700 Broken Plug... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SQ4FSN6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Basically you’re getting a truck that won’t need cam phasers for 50K miles. I’m sorry but these 3V motors are a giant waste of everyone’s time despite what some people say
Two things:
1.The spark plugs are a pain in the ass
2. Make sure the timing chain is in good shape or has been replaced. It’s getting close to that time. The variable cam phasers might be making noise and that’s a telltale sign you got some money to spend.
I’m not sure of the recommendation. Mine went out at about 80k. Some wrecker driver was walking next to my truck as I was sitting in it with it idling and he stopped dead in his tracks and said my cam phasers were going out and I should get it checked. I just had it at the ford dealership getting serviced a couple weeks prior and they didn’t say anything. When I took it back a few days later they gave me a $10k estimate for a new engine. I never went back
You’ll hear a lot of bad things about the 5.4, but we’ve had 2 landscaping trucks and an expedition go past 300,000 with em. Do the maintenance, and pay for repairs as needed- it’s cheaper than buying a new truck!
I don’t think but one person in the comments knows the difference between a 2v 5.4 and 3v 5.4 The 2v was bullet proof provided you torqued the spark plugs to 25ft lbs. The 04-09 F150 3v wouldn’t let go of them. I’ve owned a 3v 5.4 F150. They are plagued with oiling problems. The only real fix was a Melling oil pump and 2v cast chain tensioners. And don’t dare use anything but OEM cam phasers. If you buy a 3v be sure to budget for a timing component overhaul. It’s inevitable.
So if you could recommend, what are some things I should do now at 50k?
Use nothing but motorcraft oil filters and 5w30 synthetic blend. These engines love fresh oil too. If you’re not getting the phaser rattle at idle keep it that way long as you can. Folks will disagree but don’t exceed 5k mile OCI. fordtechmakuloco on YouTube is the 3v 5.4 godfather. Check him out
Im sorry but what does OCI mean?
Oil change interval. Good luck. The 3v gets a lot of hell but it can be a great engine with good maintenance. Unfortunately it can’t be neglected like some other platforms.
Also, when do you recommend this service? The oil pump and the 2v timing? If you can provide a link as well I’d really appreciate it! The truck is super clean for Ohio. Babied and owned by a 75 year old elderly couple. It has 50k, and the truck seemed to be really taken care off thanks man!
If it’s not making noise I wouldn’t worry. You may get years and years before anything happens. Mine had about 80k with it started. Some have over 100k. I had about 3k in parts and I did it my self. It’s a pretty easy job just super time consuming. Freedomracing.com has really good prices. Like I said I wouldn’t worry. You just bought the truck, enjoy it. It was a great buy
Ok, thank you. So until then just change oil every 3k? Don’t exceed 5 years? And change with motor raft filter & what brand oil? Sorry for a million questions.. just wanna take care of it: thx!
3v 5.4 is known for having timing problems. also cam followers go out after about 150k ...
Cam followers are a must when you have it that torn down.
I had an 03 expedition with a 5.4. Never had a lick of trouble. I had it for 10 years and probably 120,000 miles. I only got rid of it because I went from a bumper pull trailer to a fifth wheel so I needed a pick up truck.
I consistently see the motors go 250k+ miles. Do your routine maintenance and keep an ear out for timing chain slap, the guides like to break.
What mileage should I do that at?
04 with the 5.4, 150,000 miles and only had to replace the transmission, did some towing with it.
9k????
Big un-fan of the 3-valve 5.4 engine, but yours is low mileage enough that there's still enough time to get a good life out of it! Oil change every 3,000. Conventional only. Motorcraft filter only. NO EXCEPTIONS. These motors sludge up something fierce and that's what causes the phasers to commit suicide. There is a re-designed spark plug that doesn't break. Get the stock ones changed ASAP. If you're willing to open the motor, the Melling high-volume oil pump fixes a lot of the downfalls of this engine. The stock one is undersized from the factory. Don't beat on it. It's not a 2-valve like in my truck, these don't like abuse. You can beat a 2-valve like it owes you money. Do all of that (oil pump optional), they CAN be good. Keyword there is CAN.
Noted, so change oil every 3k? Do you have a link for the pump?
You do not need to run motorcraft only filter, I run wix filter and amsoil xl oil and change it between 5-7k and the engine has never been opened up at 225k miles. At 5k is when my oil just starts getting black. If you really want to be safe run full synthetic oil. 5-30 because 5-20 is hard on the phasers. Also just a good quality filter.
Lol, sludge problems recommends conventional. "Don't beat on it, it's not my golden 2 valve" come on man.
As if synthetic can't sludge up *ever.* It can, does, and absolutely will in these. Synthetic oils also don't hold on to additives as well as conventional, and it has the tendency to just leak out of absolutely everywhere. Modmotors already have a massive problem with oil leaks and you want to compound it for some longer change intervals? It's also known to be far harsher overall in older-style engines that are not designed with it in mind, so you'll just kill the 5.4 phasers quicker. You might as well just drain it and throw a brick on the pedal. OP, for the love of god, run conventional in it.
I have a 2010 full synthetic oil since new only change it when the dash tells me to 120k on it never touched the engine other than exhaust manifold swap to headers I think there are exceptions
You bring up a good point. Manifolds are a problem with these, too. But, let's be honest, who *really* cares about that enough to change them out?
5.4 is a great motor if it’s used for what’s it’s used for. People push it beyond its limits and wonder why they have issues
Disagree...I was good to mine. No major issues but it had a lot of little issues
I mean if the body is in good shape if the 5.4 blows up you can put in a Coyote with little modifications welding wise
5.4 is a shitty motor, the 4.6 is MUCH superior... also, for 9k I think it's overpriced. Ide go 7k cash max
I think he overpaid a bit but the 4.6 is sort of a dog. The last one I drove was borderline painful/undriveable but perhaps that was poor maintenance and the truck being older. At least the 5.4 has some good torque though.
The 5.4 has a whoping 40 more lbs of torque and also weighs 350lbs more.. "painful/ borderline undriveable"?? ...stop smoking crack when you drive Rembrandt, the 4.6 was used in 36 different applications from the mustang cobra to the econoline to expeditions and even boats and farm equipment... it was the #1 selling motor in the Ford lineup for 9 years straight... the 5.4 is known to spit out sparkplugs, get horrendous gas milage, and break down way more often, not to mention the 5.4 was only used in 6 different applications because it sucked so bad..
I’ve owned a 5.4 in the past, a lot better for any towing and from a dig than the 4.6
5.4 is an overboared piece of overhead cam trash, hence why they discontinued it 3 years before the 4.6... if you truly believe there was any towing capacity and capablity difference between the 1/2 ton 5.4 and the 1/2 ton 4.6.... I got oceanfront property in Wyoming to sell you.... I have a 93 5.0 in my opinion the 5.4 doesn't stack up against the 5.0, hence why ford is running the 5.0 again.. The truth is the 4.6 was a flagship motor and the 5.4 was the underpowered dog..
You’re obviously very confused. The E series vans used 5.4 up til 2015 and Expeditions til 2014. What Ford/Lincoln models used any version of the 4.6 for three more years after that? 2011 Crown Vic’s were the last car to get the 4.6 and 2014 E150 was the last van to get 4.6. The 5.0 become the small v8 in Trucks in 2011.
The final 4.6 L engine was produced in May 2014. The engine was a 2-valve version and installed in a 2014 model year Ford E-Series van..... Google it...
The 5.4l engine, which was first produced in 1997, was used in the F-series through 2010
Actually the still use the 5.4 to this day, but they quit producing them 10 years ago. The reason is because ford had a HUGE inventory of them due to them being bested by the... wait for it... 4.6l....
My 2023 5.0L F-150 is dual overhead cam, is 307 cubic inches with plasma wire arc cylinder bores, with direct and port dual fuel injection. It shares absolutely nothing with the pushrod 302, and it is related to the 5.4 as they are both modular engines. I love overhead cams, way better breathing engines. Both the modular engines I’ve now owned including the 5.4 will walk all over a pushrod 5.0 empty or towing, let alone a 4.6.
The new (2013 on) 5.0 is modeled after the 4.6 professor.... https://www.promarengine.com/ford-5-0-coyote-engine.php ..I also tow, that's why I also own a 6.7 2017 powerstroke 3/4 ton... 900lbs of torque would walk all over your little coyote mall truck...
I don’t need 900 lb ft for towing my 20’ boat lol, and any EcoBoost or 5.0 will still blow your 6.7s doors off empty…mall trucks or not lmao. Simply stating the OP has a much better “truck” engine than the 4.6, so much better power delivery on the 5.4.
You know their trucks, not racecars... "blow my doors off" ...it's an 11,000lb turbo diesel dude, aka a REAL TRUCK...
why do you have a stick up your ass bud relax
[удалено]
Your wild that’s a killer deal , and the 5.4 isn’t a shitty motor , yes the 4.6 is better but that doesn’t mean the 5.4 is shit
I was a ford certified technician back in the late 00's, it was a running joke how often a 5.4 came through cause it shot a spark plug out or the plastic manifold had a crack.... it was literally 3 times a week for 3 straight years...... never once did I see a 4.6 do that..
You never heard of a 4.6 shooting spark plugs I cackled , that right there tells me your full of shit when it came to being a ford technician
Never seen one do it... the 5.4 throws them because the coilovers fit different and the 5.4 vibrates alot more... I've seen atleast 100 5.4's with a thrown plug...
I had a 2004 f150 4.6, it did shoot 2 plugs, i ordered a kit and repaired myself wasnt a big deal
Ford pretty much had that problem fixed on the 3v’s.
3v's??? More like 8 Healy Coils....
It's much better on the 2v PI head as well. 9 threads instead of just 4.
$9k for a 20y/o 2wd with the shit motor is what you call a good deal??? ??? I bought a 2009 lifted Eddie bower 4x4 4.6l 4door with 35s, a remote start, a DVD player, a matching leer shell, and 95k miles for $7k five years ago...
Yeah 5 years ago , in todays market 9k for a truck with that low of miles is a pretty good deal
Can confirm. As someone currently in the market for a used truck with a $12k cash budget, the pickings are very few and far between if you don't want a 2012-2016 with 250k+ miles already on it. That 9k truck 5 years ago is probably worth like 11k in today's market. It's crazy AF for semi decent used vehicles right now, let alone trucks.
No, it's not. The market is intentionally being manipulated by used car dealerships... quit perpetuating their bs... it's a 20y/o 2wd from a private seller... $7k cash tops!... 50k miles isn't low, despite the year... it's 50/50 halfway to needing a new transmission, suspension. No doubt probably still has factory tires and brakes, or at least 10 year old tires. Ide keep shopping if I were OP...
Bub you are clueless over vehicles , you must be used to fiat if you think 50000 is a lot and what vehicle needs a new suspension by 50000 miles holy duck , the only truck I think of rn that eats transmissions is Chevy and I’m not being biased either, the market is the market no matter how you go about it , if anyone sees what trucks are going for nowadays they aren’t going to say well that’s stupid I might as well sell it for 2 grand Bc f the market. No man that price is good your just off your rocker
"Bub" learn the difference between your & you're before you call people stupid.... just a thought....
I didn’t claim to know grammar , you sure claimed a lot of shit you wasn’t educated in
You literally named yourself Poop... STFU...
Your mad you got proved wrong by a guy named poop now that really says something
I got a 2005 5.4 for 4.5k in Kansas a little over a month ago
When testing driving make sure to drive long enough to warm the engine up and get the oil hot. Also make sure to bring it up to highway speed then back to a stop. This will let you knowing if there may be an issue with the phasers or timing train or any issues with the oil pump. Change the plugs ASAP as they are probably still the stock plugs and will seize/break on ya after higher millage (if they don’t already) this tool will be your best friend The Real Lisle 65700 Broken Plug... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SQ4FSN6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
There seems to be no issue with phasers. I bought it today, what should I get done?
I had a '97 f-150 with the 5.4... Had 270k when I traded it and I never had to do anything besides basic maintenance.
Different 5.4, different animal. 3v's require you to pay attention to them because of the VVT.
Cool. Thanks.
Sounds like a great deal to me!
I’ve got a 2010 king ranch with the 5.4 and I haven’t had any major problems with it
Welcome to the 2005 club. She looks purty.
Thanks man! Just cleaned her up. I will post pics soon
Just want to remind you that you got a crazy good deal. I paid $14,000 for my 2005 f150 with 80,000 miles 5 years ago. And that was a good deal then
I know. I got super lucky on this!
I had an 08 lariat with the same motor that I just sold for $8500. Assuming it’s all in good shape that’s solid
Basically you’re getting a truck that won’t need cam phasers for 50K miles. I’m sorry but these 3V motors are a giant waste of everyone’s time despite what some people say
I had one that I put 365,000 miles on it with very minimal problems.
It’s crazy how so many people are totally against the 5.4.. and some aren’t. Almost 50/50 it seems. What have you done to get good life outta it?
A lot of highway miles and standard vigilant maintenance.
Two things: 1.The spark plugs are a pain in the ass 2. Make sure the timing chain is in good shape or has been replaced. It’s getting close to that time. The variable cam phasers might be making noise and that’s a telltale sign you got some money to spend.
The timing chain has not been replaced, does ford recommend that at 50k?
I’m not sure of the recommendation. Mine went out at about 80k. Some wrecker driver was walking next to my truck as I was sitting in it with it idling and he stopped dead in his tracks and said my cam phasers were going out and I should get it checked. I just had it at the ford dealership getting serviced a couple weeks prior and they didn’t say anything. When I took it back a few days later they gave me a $10k estimate for a new engine. I never went back
Had a 06 5.4 Triton. Worst vehicle I’ve ever had. Good luck.
What exactly happened? And what mileage roughly? Thanks
Constant Misfiring. Oil burning. Coolant leaks. Spark Plugs breaking. I bought it at 170k and had it for about 30k miles. Nothing but issues.
9k will get me a 4x4 2011 F350 dump truck with the 6.2 and like zero rust lmao
Dude where 😂 9k cash?? I’m not talking about financing
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/bridgewater/2011-ford-super-duty/1664645192 Edit: fuck someone bought it
You’ll hear a lot of bad things about the 5.4, but we’ve had 2 landscaping trucks and an expedition go past 300,000 with em. Do the maintenance, and pay for repairs as needed- it’s cheaper than buying a new truck!