Thanks guys. I'm definitely going to try and do some more diagnostics and definitely change the plugs before I go for an engine swap. I'm the third owner and have no idea what maintenance was done before I got it. Plus all I'm going off of is what the dealership told me which is next to nothing. I'll post an update once I find something out or make make a decision.

 

THe 5.4 L that's in the truck has made it 147K miles.

If you put a reman'd motor in it it should go another 140k+ miles.

The reason they're not telling you exactly what they do to the motor is if they tell you, and you can find someone to take that info and replicate what they do, they've lost business and revealed something which probably took them quite a bit of time and money to figure out. Trade secrets are not given out casually.

 

I completely understand and respect that. I was a small engine mechanic for a while and the reason people bring stuff to a mechanic is because they know the trade secrets. What I didn't like about the dealership is that I couldn't speak directly to the mechanic. Only to the guy at the front desk. Also understandable as if everyone talked to the mechanic to ask questions about their vehicle he would get nothing done and as they're paid by job that could be a slight problem. I'm just use to small mechanic shops where you're able to speak with the person who is working on your truck to ask certain questions as to how long the engine will last in current condition and to weigh out some options. I guess that's why I'm on this forum though. But it was frustrating as a small engine mechanic not getting anything done during the day because some old man felt the need to tell me the complete history of his lawn mower. But in the end it is a part of the job.