Hello, I'm new to the board and am just looking for some info. I currently have a 95 tahoe, but it's going to be sold or traded soon because I'm tired of repairing it every 500 miles. I've been looking at a 97 xcab stepside with a 4.6. I really need a truck soon, but this one already has 70,000 miles on it. Do these engines go for 150,000+ miles??? Engine sounds great and all I could spot was a little oil/grease on the passengers side valve cover. I can't remember which side of the engine the oil fill is, guessing the oil if from the last fill ?? Just want to know if you guys think it'll last.
Thanks in advance,
Durty

 

You can check out this thread for some happy customers with over 100,000 miles including me with 130,000+ miles.
http://198.65.157.241/forums/showthr...hreadid=100041
The oil spot on the passenger side valve cover is probably from spillage since there is little to cause that except if it is by the PCV valve, that may need replacing (very cheep).
Good luck, My truck is the same year 97 and judging from other posts, it has been one of the best years.

 

Like you thought, the oil fill is on the passenger side, so the oil on the valve cover may just be some spillage from topping off the oil. I wouldn't worry about only 70,000 miles on it. My 97 has 155,000 and still is a treat to drive!

 

I'm at about 95k, and mine runs as good as the day I bought it. I can't emagine not making it to 150k (and fully expect to reach 200k.)

 

I'm at 115,000 right now with my 4.6L and I'm 99% sure my truck will make another 35,000 with almost no problems. As you will read here, there are a few little things on these trucks that chronically go wrong...but you will also be able to fix these small problems yourself (door ajar switches are a biggy). I'm sure GM's and RAM's have similar issues. I can assure you that 98.5% of the users here love their F-Series and wouldn't give it up for any compairable GM or Dodge.

We don't have any 4.6L engines where I work, but we do have 4.2L & 5.4L's. While the 4.2's can't don't last much more than 100k with the abuse that we give them, the 5.4's love abuse. Some of them have over 180k miles and are still running strong.

With the correct maint. there's no reason a 4.6L can't go 200,000+ miles.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. Seems like the majority of those trucks were 4.6's. One more question, I read some issues with piston slap. Is this an issue with both v8's or just on the 5.4?

 

I've heard a very few people complain of piston slap in a 4.6L on here, but I think it's pretty much a 5.4L problem. You will want a good oil filter with an anti-drain back valve on a 4.6L (281 cid) engine. Motorcraft seems to do a pretty good job...considering it is actually a Purolator filter. Good luck with you new Ford!

 

I have a 98 4.6 with 102K miles on it. It runs just like new.

As for piston slap, I have it. The canada motors were the victoms, 5.4 & 4.6, more so in the 5.4's. My PS issue has been with the truck since about 35K miles.

98 flairside xtra cab:

 

My dads 1999 f-150 has the 4.6 and has about 70,000 on it and it still runs great and his truck has been rolled ten times, this truck was one of my good friends trucks and he abused the truck and rolled it about 10 times my dad bought the truck off him and fixed it back and no troubles yet.

 

Both engines have had piston slap issues, but as others have said, only if produced at the Windsor engine factory. I think the 8th digit of the VIN indicates the engine plant. 6 = Windsor (Canada) plant, W = Romeo (USA) plant. Sounds wrong, but thats the way the codes are. All 5.4's were made at the Windsor plant, the 4.6l's at either plant. As far as affecting engine longetivity, there have been no reports of total engine failure from PS. Good luck!

 

92 miles on mine so far. Runs great

 

Just look at the Crown Vics. for police use.
They retire them after 115 to 130,000. Know pick up here gets beat like a patrol car.
They dont get retired b/c of the engine mileage, 99% of the time it's from body wear.
Yea, here in NY, the police cars get oil changes only every 5,000k.

 

They retire from body wear and suspension wear. Those cars are like steering a rocking chair after so many miles.

 

I have had piston slap since my warrantee was off. As I said earlier 130,000 miles now. The Windsor motors are the slappers but also are the better made. Imagine that... I fixed my slap with the stereo volume ****.

 

My precious Co. Truck (1997 with 4.6L Windsor) has 200,000 plus miles. Vehicle has never had a valve cover off and all engine attatched components are original. This 4.6L has had cold start-up knock since 37,000 miles & still serves flawlessly.