I realize this is an F150 forum, but does anyone know what changes were made to the 5.4 3 valve in 2009-2010 in the Expedition? All I can find is that it was badged 'Flex Fuel' and HP increased to 310.

The wife and I are looking at a 2010 Expedition and I'm a little weary of the 3 valve. I had a 2006 F150 that dropped a valve at 119K miles. I realize all 3 valves aren't bad engines, but I would feel better knowing that some of the low oil pressure/cam phaser/spark plug issues were addressed. I also saw in a picture in an ad where the oil cap had 5W30 instead of 5W20, so something must be different about them.

 

Flex fuel would only require extra fueling since E85 requires about 30% more fuel. Its possible they put in bigger injectors to handle that extra flow and changed the tune slightly.

 

A big jump for the F150 was it went to the 6spd auto transmission in 2010 that replaced the 4spd that it previously had. I'm not sure if that was the case in the Expedition or not.

 

The change to the 5.4 3V was done in the late 07 build date.. Motors built on 10/09/07 and later have the re-designed heads and up-dated VCT solenoids this is the same motor that 08-10 has. like stated the tranny changed for 9 and 10.

 

Redesigned heads and updated VCTs sounds good to me. I think they went to a 6 speed tranny in 07 or 08 on the Expys.

Friend has an '05 F150 with the 3V with over 400K on it, so they can't be all bad. I may give them another chance, even though I swore them off last year when mine crapped on me. I was so disgusted that after I had it fixed, I traded it for a 2003 with the 2V.
I bought the 2006 brand new, babied it, all scheduled maintenance, and expected it to go a long long time before having to pull the engine. Found out after the fact I should have used the Motorcraft oil filter. I used whatever brand filter and Castrol 5W20 conventional oil every 4-5000 miles, but I guess that wasn't good enough.

 

Stay away from any 3v 5.4 from 04-10, even 09's and 10's are known for phaser issues but more predominantly the VCT solenoid rattle. They are still known to drop oil pressure over time and destroy/scour cam journals among other damage.

 

I agree with above post. The 5.4 were improved like stated above from 08 and up. But I would never ever buy another vehicle with that engine. I personally had and saw to many issues with them.

 

i bought my wife a 2014 expedition limited (last year of the 5.4 in the expy) last october with 57k miles. complete service records...serviced at the ford dealer ever 5k for oil changes. 62k miles, last month starts clacking pretty badly. take it in and find out the rocker arm on the passenger side broke, cam was scoured, also needed new timing chain tensioners as there was a rattle on start up, they also replaced the cam phasers while they were in there. good thing for the extended warranty we bought. paid for itself.

ours def had a defect. engine was always serviced by ford its entire life with motorcraft oil and filters. we just had bad luck. ill be selling it before the extended warranty is up at 101k miles

 

Well, I had almost talked myself into it until I saw these last 3 replies. Thanks guys for reminding me why I swore I'd never buy another 3V 5.4. I'm back to my senses now. But I had to ask.

 

Yeah probably a good decision. I know a few guys who have high mileage 5.4s without a problem, but just to many possible issues with these motors. Ford definitely dropped the ball on the ole 5.4 3 valve.