Hello All,

The motor blew in my truck today. I am seeking guidance on the route to take now. It is sitting at the local dealership now, awaiting inspeciton tomorrow. Specs below.

2005 150k on motor and chassis, bought new, single owner.

FX4 Single Cab Silver two tone.

7/10 Exterior 8/10 interior, it's really in good shape, never see any like it around. Has been taken care of.

Located in Tampa, FL area.

What should I be looking for in terms of cost/options from here?

Some research showed that engine replacement is most likely cost prohibitive. I've been seeing numbers in the $7k range...

In your experience how much would a replacement engine install cost?

Most importantly, how much should I be looking to get out of the truck given the blown motor?

Thanks a lot for reading/replying.

 

7k sounds about right for a replacement. 5.4 3 valves aren't cheap.

 

Personally I would call junkyards and find a low mile unit for around a grand or two. Call three private shops and go with the best deal. Place by me would install for around a grand. Make sure they have that spark plug tool. Get new plugs. And hope for the best.

Ford wanted 5600$ to fix a valve from an improperly done heli coil. I paid less than half and got a new bigger engine For half the price. Given I did the work myself.

Did they tell you physically what was damaged? Just curious...

 

Do you plan on keeping the truck for a while? I don't know about you, but I'd have a hard time sinking $7k into a truck that, when it was running, was only worth about $10k (generally speaking); only to sell it within even a few years.

Is your engine not rebuildable? If it's just a blown head gasket or maybe a top-end failure, your engine is salvageable and I feel like that would be the cheapest option.

If it is not rebuildable or too costly to rebuild, I'd go the route of the low-mileage engine from a salvage yard and have it installed by a reputable shop. There might not be much of a warranty, but if you don't plan on keeping it forever it won't matter that much.

I see a lot of used engines listed in your area for about $2300-2500 with half of the miles that your truck has currently. Try it out: http://www.car-part.com

 

The problem with used engines is that even though the engine may have a short warranty, the labor is not covered. So, if you get a bad engine, you pay the labor to remove and re-install the next one while hoping it is an okay engine.

Maybe you will get a good used engine and you will be glad you went that route. If you install a new engine, keep the receipts and that will be a good selling point later. The market for a truck with a blown engine is not very large. It may take a while to sell for more than salvage value.

 

I'm currently replacing my engine in my 05 xlt f150 5.4. I was doing some looking around in my area buffalo I had a shop that wanted 4500 to replace my engine with one that had 70 k on it. All depends 5.4 3v aren't cheap took me about a month to find one for 1600 add all the gaskets pumps fluids and any other surprises you might find. My total will probably be around 2500 after everything is said and done with. It's all if you want to do it yourself or have someone do it. If you need help feel free to contact me I've learned a lot so far and more to go

 

What "Blew" ?

For being a one owner with only 150k, I find it hard to believe that the entire engine is toast. Just get this one rebuilt to the 08 motor specs and keep running it.

 

I see many people replacing their "blown" engine with ones from scrapped trucks. Are these 5.4's not rebuildable? Is it too hard to find parts or something? I'm pretty sure you cant just go order a new one from Ford but there should be a way to rebuild it to darn near new. Don't see why these engines are so expensive.

 

ford wanted $5600 to fix a valve. for $7000 you can have a NEW engine...

 

E Bay is your friend

 

To the OP with my new guy 2 cents: that's a bummer being that 5-7K is the going rate even at my shop, but thats an engine straight from Ford. I was feeling lucky last fall to pick up a 04 XLT xcab heavy for 1500 bucks because the guy was in your boat too. I specifically bought the truck to study the engine and build one myself. It cost ME 2500 w/ upgraded melling pump, bearings, rings, all materials including all new pulleys, harmonic balancer, timing set, new timing cover and rebuilt heads.

The heads are the painful part being about a grand for a rebuilt set.

I came to my own humble conclusion that he prime reason these 5.4's fail, is the right side chain tensioner blows the seal on the back, bleeding oil pressure and starving the right head of oil.

These engines are impressively built and if you can find a reasonable used one, combined with a good mechanic, have them change the tensioners before install.

From what I've seen, used ones (engine) go for 12-2200 and the install averages around 12-1500

 

2005 you said? Leaking fuel injector maybe?

Ford will cover a 2005 with a failed injector if you're still within the mileage limits of their extended coverage campaign

 

It's 11 years or 120k, and I think most 2005's now will be past the 11 years.

 

I had to make a decision three years ago. I stand by my decision to replace the engine in my '05 at 116,000 miles.

If the truck is paid for, remember that even at current credit card rates, $7000 is way cheaper than payments on a brand new truck.

My two cents. Worth every dollar you paid for 'em.

 

Watch craigslist as well. Heck for $7-10k you could almost buy a complete truck and if it is somewhat of a beater, swap in the new engine and part out the rest.