im on my last ford vehicle. i have a 06 lariat with the 5.4. i have done all the recomended maintainence using the recommended fluids/parts. I have had to replace the cam phasers and lash adjusters twice. $1200 job each time. im constantly getting water in between my coil packs and spark plugs, and im on my second rear end and its going out. i have replaced all the bearings and its still whineing. with all the issues my ford has had, between the phasers, rear end, spark plugs, ect. its not worth, in my opinion, dealing with. i have had over $4000 in repairs done to it and it only has 150,000 miles. my wifes 2001 chevrolet silverado we have had since it was new, has 267,000 miles on it and has original everything. all i have done is oil changes and one tune up. i also had a 91 k1500 with 325,000 with original everything once again all i did was two tune ups and oil changes. my father in law has an 08 silverado and has already reached 250,000 miles and his still has original everything... ford needs to fix the problems with there trucks or they are going to lose me as a customer. there is no reason to have to have all that work done when i can buy a silverado, same price, and never have to worry about all that work.. dont get me wrong, my ford rides good and drives good and it has plenty of power.. when its working...if anyone knows any permanent fix for my problems, please, let me know.

 

Permanent fix is get rid of it. You got a lemon.

Much as I love Fords, I won't touch a 5.4 3 valve with a 10 foot pole.

 

yeah i hate it but before i have another catostophic failure im gonna trade it in for a silverado.. even though they are no where near as pretty

 

Here we go

Funny! I've put more than 260K miles combined on two of these 5.4 3 valve trucks. Never had any major problems whatsover.

Enjoy your Silverado. LOL

 

Your experience with your Ford reminds me of the experiences I have had with GM vehicles over the years -- constant repairs that $500-dollared me to death!

My last FIVE new vehicles have all been Fords, and every one has given me years of trouble-free service! I was born in a "GM family" but my experiences have convinced me I will never own another GM vehicle again!

Hope you have better luck than I did with your "Obamamobiles".......

 

Truck enthusiast forums give the 5.4 3v a bad name. It is a fine motor.

 

Maybe YOURS was a fine motor, but not everyone has been so lucky. The VVT system Ford used was junk and the spark plug issue wasn't one of their better designs.

 

I call BS if you've got 100+ or even 200+ on a GM water pump

 

His gm engine may be running, but the dash gauges don't work, the tailgate handle is broken and the windows don't role down, lol.

 

Bought my first F150 last year and the triton has been a disappointment. Ive been chasing a mild hesitation/misfire almost since I got it. Ultimate truck? A Ford truck with a Chevy engine lol

 

Was, is. You of all people should know what I mean. There are countless no problem 5.4 3v trucks out there with no engine problems. The internet factor exaggerates the complaining factor.

 

Why are you commenting in the 04-08 forum? You obviously don't own one and you have no positive things to say about them.

 

I have nothing positive to say about the 5.4 3 valve, but you never see me complaining about the rest of the truck. I'd happily own a 04-08 with a V-6 or a 4.6.

Agreed - granted - but there are enough with problems that I'd never buy one. Weren't you one of the ones that had a hydrolock due to bad injectors? Yes, I know that Ford, to their credit, took care of that with an extended warranty but they sure didn't extend the warranty on the phasers or cover broken spark plugs. If I want something that sounds like a diesel, I'll buy a diesel.

Don't treat me like I'm in here hyping Toyotas - NO BRAND is perfect. I'm entitled to my opinion just as much as you are and I'll comment wherever I want.

Let's throw some more fuel on the fire - seems to me that some of the comparison tests/reviews back then noted that the Ford was down on power compared to the biggest engines offered by the competition.

 

My 5.4 gets similar mileage to the new ecoboost trucks, towing included. My truck pulls my 20' Ranger 520vx just fine. Underpowered, possibly. But mine gets the job done and I am more than satisfied with it.

I can guarantee most of the trouble people are having with the 5.4 3v trucks are user error in the PM department. These engines have to be cared for properly. If you slack on your oil changes, you are rolling the dice.

 

That's what counts. Too bad the OP hasn't had the same positive experience.