I have a 2004 f150 with around 109,000 miles on it. A week ago as I was pulling in at my bank, it started sputtering and missing like crazy. I put it in park, gave it some gas and that fixed it. So far it has happened a few more times, but always at idle at a redlight or stop sign. No check engine lights at all..... Any ideas ? ( and keep in mind I'm not a mechanic at all ) )

 

I'm kinda having the same problem. But at around 1500 rpms It sputters. And also idles rough. Pretty sure it's a coil pack going bad. No engine light also.

 

Mine idles fine , except when the problem is occurring. And only when I'm stopping at a light or whatever....

 

your 2004 is sick, yes but it's not dying. Does sound like a coil pack or other ignition woes, get it checked out but dude 109k that truck is barely middle aged!

 

Just my wallet dying huh ? Lol

 

Ok, I called the ford place and the service manager said a lot of the 2004-2008 5.4l have a problem with the cam lobes.... And if that's the case the only fix is to replace the motor ? He did tell me to bring it by next week and he would hook it to the computer and see if he could get it to do the stalling/dying thing and get whatever code it spits out..... Any opinions ?

 

Heres an opinion, that service manager sounds like a crook and he wouldn't get anywhere near my truck. Sounds like coil packs.

 

Well, 109K miles doesn't at all surprise me that something as bad as that could happen. My 4.2 had a nearly catastrophic (as in blown engine) when the lower intake manifold cracked and started dumping coolant both externally and internally in the manifold at 94K miles. Occasionally, trucks die young for no clear reasons, just like people. For the first time in...well ever...my family has 4 vehicles, all with over 100K miles on them. We've never had more than one at a time with over 100K. My father grew up when a engine would only make it to 125K miles or so then needed a rebuild. The Dodge was bought new in 06 and has only ever had an EGR problem but for some reason its causing the truck to get 28 mpg on the highway. The GM was bought new in 04 and has had constant electrical issues. My Ford was bought in 08 with 67K miles on it for $5000 and has had that much money dumped into it in driveline/computre repairs alone. The XJ was bought in 09 with 127K miles on it (the last one had major ECU problems at 145K when it was sold). In fact, the only vehicle that hasn't had a single issue that has had to be paid for is that Dodge.

My point, even though its rare, a vehicle can has some major malfunctions fairly young in it's life.

 

I just don't think it's the cam... It only dies it at that one moment.... And it acts like it's starving for fuel, not trying to break down...

 

If you had bad cams the engine would run like crap all the time. I'd recommend staying away from this guy.