I have a 2010 F 150 with the 5.4 engine. I bought the truck used with 95,000 miles. Two years ago a problem started. When you drive at idle speed,like when you slow down for a stop light or when you are in a fast food line or stuff like that it will start knocking real bad and sometimes stall. It does not do it all the time. I have had it to three shops,the first two ran all the engine codes and told me nothing was wrong but the problem just got worst,the first two shops were independent owned. Last week I took it to a local Ford dealer to see if they could figure out what was going on. Well they drove it the way I told them to and the engine did the knocking. They are saying that I need a new engine,because of a major problem with the timing.129,000 miles and the engine is shot. Have any of you folks seen this happen with the 5.4 engine. They are talking 6 to 7,000 dollars. Not sure what to do.

 

Ford did not make a 5.7 engine, so try again.

 

While this is true, Ford did make a certain Triton engine that does this:

Not sure why a shop pulled engine DTCs and told you nothing was wrong. That’s silly. Besides, these 3-valve Triton engines are notorious for timing chain issues.

What you get to do now if debate if you want the truck enough to scrape up several thousand bucks for a remanned engine or get rid of the truck. That’s it.

 

This is one of the most hated engines of the last 20 years. There are countless discussions and videos everywhere on the internet about the Ford 5.4L 3 valve. (which we are all assuming you mean) some say replacement, some try various expensive fixes with mixed results. Go do some watching and reading. Search for the right liter number.

 

So timing can’t whack the engine, what it can do is wreck pistons and valves. I’ve rebuilt my 4.6 completely from the ground up for about 2.5k€. Rockauto has all the parts. Pull out the engine, remove head, check valves and pistons, piston rings. Also check damage to the cylinders. It might be a cheap fix. Any engine mechanic should be able to pull this off in a couple of days. As long as the lower block is intact (cylinders might have to be drilled oversize though) - the engine can be repaired.

 

For data and consideration purposes only
I just bought a 2007 F150 5.4 4x4
The ad said 164,000 miles
The engine was smooth and strong
Bought it for 7900 dollars
Realized it had 264,000 miles on the drive home, heart fell into stomach, LOL
Decided to deal with it and looked up the Carfax
Discovered engine had been replaced 4,000 miles ago and 2,000 miles ago?
Climbing under the Truck it has piles of new parts, so figured I'd give it a go fixing other common issues myself and throw some money at it.
Can't figure out the intermittent 4 x 4, see my other post if you have an interest in the details on this issue.

 

*Heads-Up*...
..

 

Don't 5.4's have an issue with Cam phasers going out often causing catastrophic damage?

 

Something like that, not exactly. Not sure why you posted that question with quoting that particular comment.

 

Update several months later
I figured out the 4 x 4 3 times blinking light. It only happened when the engine bay was hot.
All mechanical parts were verified working or replaced with 3 time blinking light still occurring when engine bay hot and not blinking and 4 x 4 working correct when cool in morning.
I investigated the diagnostic charges and potential extra cost variables as well as an unknown technician having hands on the vehicle with blind trust.
A refurbished PCM was cheaper.
The PCM was replaced and it fixed the 3 time blinking light going on a couple months now with flawless operation.