Common Issues with The Ford 5.4L Triton 3Valve V8 - 2004-2013

This is a terrible engine... or is it? Often achieving around 240,000miles the 5.4l 3v still isn't an engine you want in your life. Here's why.

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[squangan]

Original owner here of a factory ordered 2009 5.4 3V S/Crew FX4 Luxury Edition 6.5 foot box in E4 Red with every option box ticked off except Nav which I didn’t want. After owning it for over 14 years now my (unexpected) engine repairs are as follows: A/C Pump Clutch went in 2013, passenger side exhaust manifold replaced in 2018, and last year I put two new VCT Solenoids in as the springs were apparently getting weak (and discovered that inside the valve covers and tops of the heads are still shiny clean like new in the process). For regular engine maintenance I installed new spark plugs myself back in 2017 with no issue and I’ll do them again in another couple years, also it didn’t require them but I stuck all new fuel injectors and ignition coil packs in last year just to freshen it up a bit as well but that was my choice. The motor still runs as quiet as the day I drove it off the lot and I’ll take those repairs any day of the week for almost a decade and a half’s use out of a truck as it has paid for itself many times over. Of course I’ve done the other fluid maintenances and wear items as required on the truck as well. I bought it in summer ‘09 never dreaming I’d own it this long but it just keeps going and I like the truck so why not? Years back I used to get worried when I saw all the videos on how bad these engines could be but that hasn’t been my experience. At least on the later run 5.4 3Vs like mine I can say proper maintenance from day 1 of ownership has probably been key. I had the Ford dealer do the oil changes exclusively for the first 8 years using their 5w20 oil and filters and I’ve used synthetic oil since then changing it myself but sticking with all Motorcraft filters. The truck is completely stock except for American Racing wheels and a MBRP Cat Back exhaust and I have a waiting list of people bugging me to sell them my truck but I may keep it for another 14 years at this rate. 🙂

[House_Stark]

I have a 2005 F-150 5.4L 3V and have done a lot of my own maintenance on it. Including the Fuel pump driver module, which was super easy to do. Just drop the spare tire down and it takes about 20 min to replace with a new one! I've also done spark plugs and COP's. If you have the Lysle spark plug remover kit, this service is also super easy to do. I ended up breaking 4 out of 8 plugs and got them all out easily with the tool. Took about 2 hrs total to do all 8 plugs! Now my 5.4L runs much better! Just be sure to use the most up to date plugs/coils from Motorcraft and use the nickel anti-seize from Ford.

As for the timing chain issues, there is a YT channel called FordTechMakuloco which is a certified Ford service technician and he has a series of videos that details each step to replace the timing chain and tensioners with the most up to date parts from Motorcraft that help eliminate the tensioner issue. Or, you can ship your vehicle to him and have him do it. I believe he does this service anywhere from $800 - $2, 000 depending on how many other parts you want replaced in addition. As i believe he usually also recommends getting the cam phasers, VCT solenoids, cam shaft roller followers and oil pump replaced as well! Might as well get it all done in one service as it requires the top of the engine to be apart anyways! Once this service is done, this engine will EASILY go another 150, 000 - 200, 000 miles no problem!

Also of note with these trucks is the issues with the frame. Specifically affecting the rear of the truck between the doors and rear wheels. The frames of these truck tend to rust through on both sides and can seriously affect the safety/drivability of the vehicle! If you plan to buy these trucks from 2004-2013, check the frame front to back and actually get underneath it with a hammer or something to check the frames integrity before buying!

Another note on this engine, don't use the recommended 5w-20 oil that ford recommends. Use 5w-30 oil and change intervals of 3, 000 - 5, 000 miles as this helps postpone a lot of the chain tensioner and roller follower issues with this engine!

These are actually really good engines...they just need a lot of attention and someone who actually takes care of their vehicle!

[professor_thunder]

I've owned several 5.4 3V's and they are great engines when maintained. Use/Change a good synthetic oil every 5-6k and upgrade to a H360HV oil pump w/steel tensioners. Solving the oiling issue remedies other frequent issues.

[lyleswavel]

I have a brother in law with a 2007 ford f150 5.4 3v with about 270, 000 miles on it and just done regular maintenance, still runs great

[timcisneros]

I have 198, 000 miles since new on my F350 Super Duty Utility truck. Replaced all the spark plugs along with all the coils, both manifolds (relieving tension of the exhaust pipes on the manifolds when re-installing), water pump, alternator, all coolant hoses and the most important thing other than regular maintenance is using Marvel Mystery oil in the oil AND gas. Runs like new. Ready for another 100, 000 miles

[ervtobey]

In my opinion, any from 2009 and up are OK as long as you are judicious with the maintenance. Ford fixed the sparkplug problem, re-designed the timing chain adjusters so the seals don't blow out causing cold start rattle, changed the vvt phasers so they don't fail. Also, begining in '09, they moved from the general electrical module base electronics to a computerized and programmable control module. I have 136k on my 2010 that I've had since new. Oil & filter every 4k(Mobile1 5w30). Only prob I had was a failed lash adjuster @ 115k. Replace all the adjusters and roller followers, no probs. Avg 17.8mpgs on my 22mi one way commute(mostly highway). Plan on keeping mine for a few years more.

[noblefriend]

I bought a 2014 Ford Expedition with 5.4 3v last year. Been changing oil every 3, 000-4, 000 miles using full synthetic 5w-30. No problem with the engine so far but have a problem with the speed sensor which is to replace the transmission valve body coz the sensor is installed in it. I haven’t replaced it yet but it’s working fine right now coz the mechanic just cleaned up the wiring harness connecting to the transmission and to the pcm. I like the performance of the truck so far as long as speed sensor doesn’t have problems. Towed a trailer and it’s so powerful that I felt like I’m not towing something.

[edjackson]

Inherited a fleet of these trucks (F250 Super Duties) when I took over a delivery service business. Over the years Ive learned several tricks that are relatively easy and inexpensive to make these 5.4 3V engines virtually bullet proof. The first thing Id recommend is eliminating the variable valve timing with a phaser lockout kit and programmer to turn that crap off.

[DJDinaggio]

It's failure of the timing chain tensioners that causes a slack chain to slap against the guides, ultimately leading to the guides breaking. There's nothing wrong with the quality of the guides but upgrading to steel tensioners reduces the risk of further problems. A Melling 360HV oil pump is a good band aid on higher mileage engines with increased bearing clearances as it'll increase the oil pressure enough to maintain proper VCT function. Using a slightly thicker 5W-30 oil also helps.

[davidcampbell]

There is absolutely no excuse for FORD making bad V8 engines! They have been making V8s since 1932. They should be making engines better and stronger the BMW and Mercedes. Their engines should go over 500, 000 miles trouble free and last over 1, 000, 000 miles. They have engineers on staff with the knowledge to do this, they just need to throw the accountants, politicians and tree huggers out.

[Brendan]

Fords biggest mistake was getting rid of the 4.6 2V. I have it in my 04 marquis and it has 297k on it and riding like a beast still.

[TheNickhammond]

I got a 2011 Expedition 2 years ago with 87000 miles. Ran fine but when it clocked 95000 it had the rattle on startup. I opened it up and both tensioner gaskets were blown and the passenger side chain was loose. I ended up doing the whole timing job in my garage. Went with locked out phasers, 5 star tune, cast iron tensioners, the new cam followers, melling 360HV pump, new water pump. All OEM. Truck runs smooth as silk now. I would do it again, I have the limited 4x4 and it’s such a nice ride, tows my boat great, seats 8 comfortably. You just have to plan on this when you buy one but they are priced cheap compared to other trucks.

[lawrencecavens]

I own a 2008 F250 with the 5.4 - The engine as long as you maintain them aren't that bad,
Mine was getting a bit sticky and only sounded when hot and at the full operating temp.
Well here is what I tried - WD40 was added to the oil while it was running and it did the Wonders of freeing up either a lash adjuster or the cam phazer. Now I'd say about 5% of WD40 was used to do the trick. About 1 cup per 6 quarts of engine oil before change then 1 cup of WD40 along with the oil And it works with the oil with no harm to the system, just don't go to thin. Use 10W30 oil in the winter and SAE 30 in the summer. If you are working the engine hard with towing then change the oil more often. One of the things I think is happening over the years is oil does not have the cleaners it once did back in the day. So a treat like this does help, no problems with seals thus far either but every engine is different in its own history you you have to be mindful of that to your own accord. but Here is a great tip for you DON'T FOLLOW FORDS RECOMMENDED Oil change schedule and that will save your engine ... Follow Brian at FordTeckMakuloco channel and get yourself up to speed like I did.. Believe me - you'll be glad you did.

[sherryjohnson]

The only thing that gets me when you stop for gas. Grocery store. Where ever. You ask people how you like your Ford truck. And the answer is i Love my truck. I know diehard Chevy guys that have switched to Ford

[tannerhutton]

Adding my 2 cents here, the issue with stuck plugs was fixed in mid year 2008 when the head design was modified, if your motor has brown COP boots, you have the new design. I've heard they made improvements to oil passages as well, but i havent been able to confirm that. I bought a 2010 expedition last year, it had 140, 000 on it, and I found out after buying that it had the cam timing codes that Indicate a VCT issue (check engine light not working, more on thay later). After swapping the solenoids while replaving the valve cover gaskets, I still had a problem. So after watching a lot of videos and finding Ford tech Makulocos channe and watching his series on the full timing job, l I decided to do a full timing job. Replaced phasers, chains, tensioners, and guides. I also replaced the roller followers with the new designed ones, and swapped the oil pump for the melling pump. While doing that I found that someone had previously replaced one of the phasers already with a chinese knockoff, and had locked out its function with a freaking nut. They had also locked out the original phaser by jamming the vanes inside it. They then removed the CEL bulb since blocking the phasers will cause a permanent CEL unless the VCT is deleated in the PCM. They basically put a bandaid on a major engine problem so they could sell the truck. Very shady.
All in all, about $1500 in parts will take care of those issues. Me and my brother did the work over about 3 days of on/off work. It's honestly not so bad, and getting the timing chains lined up correctly is actually one of the easiest parts. If you have the chain slap at start up, or any of the other symptoms, first thing to do is drop the oil pan. It's easy on 2 wheel drive models, still doable on 4wd. If you have plastic chunks in the oil pan, you know you've got a problem. Chances are those chunks are also blocking the pickup screen (mine were), so you can help things a bit just by cleaning that out, but in the end, it's going to need the full job. If you aren't mechanically inclined, probably best to stay away from these motors unless you know it's had the oil changed every 3000-5000 for its life (even synthetic oil should be changed that frequently if the vehicle is used for short trips/around town driving). If you get one like mine, they can be a ticking time bomb. Thankfully the cam clearances were still within spec, and all lifters were working properly, so even though mine was clearly mistreated before I got it, I think I was able to get it fixed up before too much damage was done by the oil starvation. And the motor sounds and drives like perfect now. Really impressed with the torque and fuel economy out of such a large vehicle. FWIW, lots of people reporting the same issues after doing the full timing job had used aftermarket parts. I bought Ford OEM parts and suggest everyone else do the same, except for the oil pump. The melling oil pump has been proven to be a worthwhile upgrade on these motors. Maybe not required, but if you're doing everything else may as well get it upgraded cause it's right there when the crank cover comes off. The Chinese phaser I found in mine was clearly fairly new, and it had already lost a roll pin and was about to fall apart. The OEM phaser still in the motor was visibly fine. Still got replaced though.

[georgefossett]

Thank you for saving me from buying an expedition with the same engine!

[milo]

Triton spark plugs: Rattle gun and rock. I've done three trucks/Expeditions (with the extraction tool on standby) and all came out.

[donaldspeck]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT.
I would like to offer you $1000 apiece for your horrible 5.4 3v triton trucks, just so you don't have to deal with those issues anymore. I can't believe Ford wouldn't have made a perfect truck, if they would have only known how much pain this was gonna cause you. Who has ever heard of changing oil
every 3k miles? I can only assume that all other manufacturers build perfect automobiles that never need maintenance. I'm truly sorry you've experienced such horrific trauma by owning such
Pieces of junk, that's why I will take the 2-5.4 3v triton trucks off your hands for a heafty sum of $1000 each. Maybe you should buy a Toyota or Nissan

[bret]

There are some issues but our company ran hundreds of these and still has a handful with no more issues than our Chevy engines. Frequent oil changes and if you get the dreaded start up knock, go ahead and do a timing job and replace the oil pump, cam phasers, rockers and have an oil analysis done to check for metal wear. These are 300, 000-400, 000 mile engines when maintained and if proactive when you hear a knock at startup. We have some with cam phaser knock but that is only an irritant. It won’t fail the motor. Oil
Starvation caused by timing tensioner gasket failure is the big issue that people ignore. What happens is the gasket that seals the tensioner fails, usually on a cold start with cold oil. It blows out the gasket. The next time the truck sits for a day, the tensioner relaxes and you get a slapping of the timing belt. This eventually sends plastic and metal into the engine. Also when the tensioner bleeds off oil, you see bleed oil away from the heads which means a 2-3 second starvation of the rockers etc.

So if you get a great deal on a well maintained 04-08, go for it. Just make sure the oil is always changed and when you start heating a clatter on start up, do a timing job that replaces the oil pump and all the timing
Components including cam
Phasers and go ahead and replace the rockers.

[Eben]

Thank you for your video. I was just about to purchase a 2008 5.4L 3 Valve.