I recently purchased a 2008 Ford F 150 5.4L 4x4. right after I purchased it I heard a sound in the motor and took it back to the dealer. Today I find out it needs a new motor. Should I put a new motor in it that will have a warranty or run for the hills?? I've never owned a truck and I'm not sure what I'm getting myself into. Please help

 

Depends on your financial position in life, and/or your mechanical skills.

If it was me, I'd buy a motor with a warranty and swap it out myself.
To me, the trucks themselves will outlast the powertrains if cared for properly.

So in the end, you can keep the truck running forever with this mindset.
There's also the junkyard motor option but again.....if you're not savvy, go with a new one.

What's a new motor cost with all new sensors, etc ???
I'm going to guess it comes stripped with no sensors ?? But could be wrong.

Another option I'd STRONGLY consider is doing a 5.0L Coyote swap if it's possible. I know it has to be by now, someone out there has had to of done it.

 

I only had the truck a day when I noticed the sound. I took it straight back to the dealer the next morning. The cleaned the throttle body and it still made the noise. Then after checking the spark plugs it was determined it needed a new motor. The truck only has 112k miles. Body is in top shape.

The dealer says he can put a used motor with roughly the same miles in it for 3200 w/ labor. Or he can put a new motor with a 3 yr warranty for 4800 w/ labor.

I'm worried that if I already have to do work on it, am I going to be screwed in the long run. Is it worth the extra $

 

The dealer will pay for the used motor. If I want the new motor, I have to pay the difference.

 

From your posts can we surmise there was no warranty? I would think taking it back the very NEXT DAY and leaving it there would work.

Now they want to charge you 3k? Screw tham, they knew it had a bad engine. I would do everything possible to make them take it back, including BBB, your bank/financing and any other agency you can think of.

Edit:
You posted this while I was posting...if you choose to go this route I would make sure you have some input as to where the used engine comes from, AND get some sort of guarantee, say at least a year and 12000 miles or something, before you agree to have the work done.

Or if you have the cash, a new engine sounds better.

Either way I would still be tempted to simply return it, unless you got a fantastic deal.

 

It has a 90 day warranty. they have been extremely understanding and helpful. they had no problem trying to figure out what the problem was and tried several different things to get it fixed. then after the last check they realized it needs a new motor. they are willing to pay to install a used motorbut gave me the option for a new motor and I pay the difference so I can have the 3 year warranty on the new motor. I am just scared of putting more money and to this truck. I'm not sure what to do

 

I got it for 15,200

 

What eventually happened with the truck and engine?

 

I doubt we ever know... 9 posts and OP disappeared after his issues was taken care of....