redfishtd

I have the 5.4 3v 2005 lariat . Shes at 165k but I completely rebuilt the front end myself . I bought it new and ran synthetic and babyied it no luck . This sparkplug fiasco is all ford design . When I opened her up, number 8 cam roller on one of the intakes laying to the side. Plastic from the broken guides all over the place . Bad throtlle body -known bad model number .Cam phasors shot ,vcts replaced . Tensioner gaskets blown . Lash adjusters bad . Replaced them all and rollers .Poor oil pump replaced with melling 360 . She runs good now but this is ridiculous to blame all this on an oil change schedule .
This engine difficult to work on for sure .
Accountants running engineering I guess , ford not stepping up .
If I could I would put the 5.3l gm engine in it , my friends with those are much happier . They also had the efans much before ford .
I have done many fixes on this truck that I should not have had to . Just bought my wife a 2015 explorer but no more ford trucks . I'm done, no eco boosts or turbos for me . Alum body ugh- more trouble .

tuflehundon

I know on most of the rebuilt engines, they have redesigned oil pumps. My Ford reman came with a different oil pump than the original engine had. I'm not wondering of that is a lot of the issue.

jethat

They improved the 3v late 08 model year. Cam phaser fix and plug hole redisign so it uses 1 piece plugs. If I were getting a 3v 5.4 I'd get an 08-11 or I wouldnt get one at all. the old 4.6 is a great engine and I think the used them up the 11 MY

lutter5-0

They used 5.4 and 4.6 in 2011?

jethat

I could be wrong but I thought they made the change to the new engines later in 11 and the early 11's did still have the older motors. Could have been th 10 MY they made the change so I'm not certain about that..

rowekmr

What is bad about the throttle bodies?

DarkHelmet314

I have been super lucky on my 5.4 so far. Single piece plugs luckily and no problems. I'm pretty happy so far. No real reason I can see to switch to a different truck with a newer style engine honestly. My 5.4 gives me plenty of towing power and power in general. Granted, people hear me say 5.4 and they all look at me like " WHY? " and " buy a newer truck with a different engine " lol

RiverviewGator

I have a 2001 Supercrew with the 5.4. It has over 220,000 miles, both teenage sons drove it so its probably more like 300,000 😄 ...very few problems and none that were serious. Around 190,000 it's started to use a little oil...

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

^^^You have the 2 valve 5.4. The 3V has more issues. I have had both, but no problems from either. Over 200K on my 2 valve and now I have an Expedition and a F150, both 07 with the 3 valve. 154K and 156K and no problems.

adanvjr

Overall, it's a real powerful engine. But it doesn't have a long life.

+220k miles on mines.
I've always kept current on oil changes and other maintenance. Oil changes were done every 3,000 miles, not 5,000 like the manual says.

Never done any modifications on it either nor revved that engine like a drag racer either.

However, I've been having a P0345 & P0349 codes since November. After days and days of troubleshooting and throwing nearly $600 in parts, I can't figure out what's wrong. Everyone that reports these codes have lots of other issues (stalling, bogging, shuddering). Mines is running fine.

It likely needs a timing job, like many here recommended. But the parts alone are almost $1,000 and it'll take days to get it done.

Every mechanic that I know says the overall design of the timing components is the Achilles Heel of the V8 5.4L. Which means, even if I buy the parts and install them, the very same problem is going to come back. It only fixes half the problem.

Stuck fuel injectors, O2 sensors going bad, or other components is understandable. The timing however is the beating heart.

My truck has been paid for about 5 years now. Many only offered $1500 as trade-in (they know the problems too).

For a value that low, I rather just keep it as long as possible. It's better not to have a truck note anyway.

I've read the 4.6L is much more reliable, but not as powerful as the 5.4L