BSHAW27

I am hoping those of you with experience can give some advice on what maintenance I should do on my new truck. I just purchased a 2008 F150 SuperCrew FX2 with 5.4L motor. The truck has 151k miles on it and I am the second owner. I am confident these are mostly highway miles as previous driver (female) was a nurse with 80 mile roundtrip commute to work. Previous owner stated that truck has never pulled anything (truck had no hitch on it and can tell a ball was never put on the bumper as paint on top and bottom are perfect). Previous owner said maintenance was up to date but had very few receipts all from small oil change place. Oil was in good shape and air filter was pretty clean when I purchased it. Brakes and tires are relatively new but haven't checked anything else at this point.


So I have never bought a vehicle with this many miles and without records of what has been done I know there are a lot of things that could be done. Since I've never owned a Ford before (always been a Mopar guy...) and don't know anything about the 5.4L motor. I'm hoping someone can recommend the maintenance items they would consider most important at this point.


Things I was thinking I would do first.....
Oil change (done - used conventional but not sure if should be using synthetic)
Spark Plugs
Transmission Service
Differential Service


Last thing....Finding this forum has been great but has also made me nervous reading about some of the known issues with the 5.4L motor. anything specific I should be worried about and/or did they fix any of the issues I see discussed here in the later years of the motor?


thanks in advance for any responses.

650NutKase

**EDIT**
Didn't see the FX2 part. Ignore the 4x4 stuff...

I just did the 100,000 mile service on my truck with 94k on the clock.

Dino oil is fine 5w20/30 with a Motorcraft (MC) 820s. These filters are really cheap at wally world.

Coolant (Motorcraft Gold/Zerex G05)

Drive belt (check the pulleys when the belt is off)

Diff service (refill rear diff with 75w140 with 4oz of limited slip modifier. Front is 75w90, I think...Im 2wd)

Tranny drop and fill with new MC filter. Use Mercon V (5 qts ish)

Spark plugs (if your ENGINE build date is 10/9/07 or later, you have the easy plugs. If not, look up the spark plug procedure. Look at the sticker on the driver valve cover to get the date)

If 4wd, change t case fluid

FUEL Filter....many people forget this.

Other than this, give the truck a good once over. Check suspension, bushings, phaser noise, PS fluid, brake fluid and parts, etc.

Enjoy a beer once complete

650NutKase

The main issues that are known for the 5.4 and f150 are:
Phaser knock (sounds like a diesel at hot idle)
Timing chain slap on front cover (Caused by tensioners failing)
Spark plugs breaking in the head (Only on engines built before 10/9/07)
Leaking 3rd brake light (fix with a new, thicker gasket or gasket maker)
IWE solenoid (4x4's only)
VCT solenoids (Sluggish take off/erratic idle/loss of power)
Some engines consume oil (1 qt per 3000 miles is considered 'normal' for some)

I think that's it...lol

Seriously, other than the plugs and phasers, everything is a very easy fix. The phasers aren't bad if you're mechanically inclined. There are MANY published how to's and videos by FordTechMakeuloco on how to do this on youtube. The plugs just take time if you have the older head design, as you need to use a special too to remove the broken pieces. Enjoy the truck and remember, the forum is just a click away if you run into issues!

nrivera04

The fuel pump driver module is also another known issue with our generation of trucks, but it's a quick fix.

BSHAW27

Thank you guys for all the information. I spent alot of time looking at some of the links in the stickys at the top of this forum last night getting familiar with the spark plug and phaser issue. Spark plug problem seems straight forward but still not clear on the phaser one. I will get working on these maintenance items and let you know if I run into any questions/problems.

650NutKase

If your truck sounds like this, you have phaser issues. The second part of the video is what the engine SHOULD sound like.

If not, just stay on top of your oil changes and they should last a good while.

On the spark plug note, check the engine sticker to determine if you have the problem plugs.

Cheers!

650NutKase

Ohhhhhh I also forgot...the DREADED exhaust manifold stud break/leak! LOL That's a fun one. Don't worry though, even though it's common, lots of us still have the original studs and aren't making any noise...yet.... haha. But really, this is a solid truck. Just seems to have some known issues, just like any other manufacturer.

BSHAW27

That video is exactly what I needed. I will check it again when I get home I was not really sure what to listen for but pretty confident I don't have that issue (yet I guess...)

650NutKase

Mine ticks a bit under REALLY hot idle. Regular warm idle and cold idle, it's smooth as silk. I'm giving mine another 20-30k tops

NC F150

After buying my new F150 in 07, joined this forum. I immediately had buyers remorse after reading the first two pages of post. Have never come across a forum with so many negative post.

9 years later and many miles spent towing trailers of some sort. It's the best vehicle I have ever owned. No complaints what so ever.

My advice is to skip the negative post and enjoy the truck.

The advice from the guys before are right on.

For the record, mine uses a quart ever 3000. Has since day one. Never any worse and only seems to go away when I'm towing a lot.