Things to look out for 2003 XLT 5.4
 

Hi everybody,

I'm looking at buying my first F-150, a 2003 FX4 Supercrew with the 5.4 V8.
It has a lot of miles (200k), is there anything in particular that i should be looking out for?

Cheers,

The following video is for the 2004 3V engine F150s but it will give you something to go on.

There's probably some good things to glean from the above vid but you don't have a 3V engine. The 5.4 3V engine was new in 2004. The 2V engine which is what you should have if it's the original engine, made around 260HP and was probably the best year for the 5.4. In my opinion, the 5.4 3V engine is the worst engine to ever be in a truck. Far too many issues with the phasers, oil pump failures, stuck multi-piece spark plugs, to name a few issues. For your 2V engine, the worst issue was too large of a gap on the plugs caused early coil failure. If it were mine, I'd check the compression on it to see what you have. If it checks out, change the oil to a dual rated oil like Delo or Rotella 10w-30 and put a good filter on it. If you can't find the dual rated oils, Pennzoil "conventional" in 10w-30 is another good oil for cleaning up and engines internals. It also beats any synthetic at high heat issues.

The 4.6/5.4 2V engines are as good as you will get. The only problem with them that I've read about is that the factory specified torque on the spark plugs is too low at 12 ft lbs. The recommendation today is to torque them to 28 ft lbs. It would not be a problem if these engines had more than about 4 threads holding the plugs. FYI my 2000 5.4 went 170k miles without spitting out a plug and my current 02 has gone 154k miles without spitting out a plug. "Knock on Wood"

DO NOT WASH THE ENGINE!!!!
EVER.....(unless you are about to replace the plugs...)

plug boots point UP...allows water to get to the plug...will random miss PITA!
the serp belt is going to "chirp" when it shifts at WOT....get over it (even with all new stuff)
Heater hose will eventually leak at the heater core fitting and drip onto engine....exactly above the spark plug....go figure!
heater hose metal pipe under intake WILL RUST OUT!!! not VERY difficult....but more than some would jump on. (search 5.4 intake ...) as there is an alternative fix for that.
See if the rearend is traction loc ...or open diff.

A well-kept 2003 w/5.4l v8 will be a good truck.

Look for oil leaks at the head gasket. The oil passages to the heads are close to the edge of the block and sometimes they will develop an oil leak there.