SmokeRoss

2009 Lariat 5.4 at 140,000. Starting cold sounds like an exhaust leak, but goes away fairly soon. Bought the truck used at 80,000. Regular oil changes with full synthetic. I have changed plugs, but done nothing else to the engine. Is it the exhaust, or something else?

PerryB

Probably the passenger side exhaust manifold is warped. It's fairly common with the 5.4. Buy a Ford manifold/gasket/stud kit and fix it right. Spray the studs (don't forget the flange studs) with a shot of PB Blaster for 3-4 mornings prior to the job, regardless of who does the actual work.

SmokeRoss

I'm going to raise the hood and have someone start it for me while I listen in that area. Thanks.

SmokeRoss

Exhaust manifold right side has a crack. Quoted $256 for parts and they are in stock. Been spraying the studs with PB. Never had an exhaust manifold crack before this. Will the drivers side go next?

Hockey369

I have the same issue with my 5.4 on my 2009. Passenger side is cracked, not sure about drivers side but probably going to change both. I have been debating going stock manifolds or going stainless shorty headers. Does anyone have experience with shorty headers or is it better to just get stock manifolds...which may or may not crack again?




*sorry to hijack your thread*

SmokeRoss

Well, the dealer gave me a break on the parts. Quoted 5 hours labor. I was going to have a local shop do the work, but might just go with Ford. They have done a few of them. Also get my TSB for the fuel pump fuse done. I bought that kit a while back.

PerryB

For whatever reason, the pass. side is almost always the one that fails. Drivers side failures are fairly rare. When I had my '05 done, I asked if it was worth doing them both at once. The shop owner (whom I've known for about 25 years) said don't bother. There was nearly no redundant labor and the drivers side manifolds usually don't fail. I left it alone.