I have had outstanding luck with the 4.6. I wish I had waited for a 4X4 with a 4.6. I knew about the spark plug issue in the 5.4s, but was not aware of the cam phaser issue and all the other engine noises that can develop. I just bought a 2006 F-150 4X4 with a 5.4, and I got a heck of a deal on it. It had been used as a work truck, but I believe it was well maintained. There is no engine noise in the cab, beside the truck, or under the hood. I will be running Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W20 and a Mobil 1 EP oil filter. 8000 mile oil change intervals. Is there a possibility that this engine could go the distance, or should I cut my losses and sell while I can? Next time I will do some research before I buy. Truck has 98,000 miles on it.

 

If it is quiet and you keep the oil changed, it may last for a long time. I would use a 5W30 syn blend or syn and change it more often. Just my smelly opinion.

 

See if you can find out what oil and change intervals the previous owner used. If you can, stick with it. Even with Mobil 1 EP, I don't think I'd run it that long between changes, the VCT system is very sensitive to sludge. I run 5W20 EP and EP filter in my 4.2 and change it once a year, but if I had a 5.4 3V, I wouldn't do that. I'd use Motorcraft 5W20 or 5W30 synthetic blend and Motorcraft filter and change it every 3k to 5k.

 

I do 8,000 mile intervals with Mobil 1 5W20 and M1 oil filter on my 2006 4X2 with a 4.6. I doubt that this truck would run 8000 miles in a year. Probably about 2000. I feel better about sticking with Mobil 1 oil and filter. I won't run it past 4000 in the 5.4. Thanks.

 

220K miles on my 2004 F150 5.4L. 3-4,000 miles between each oil change. all original timing components. Sounded like a diesel at a drive thru since new, but rides and drives nice.

 

I'm also not too sure about the transmission. I don't want to put any more money into this truck. I screwed up. I'll probably cut my losses and sell it. I know where I can get a 2013 or 2014 4X4 with a 5.0 and about 140k miles for around $10K. XL package with power windows, and oil changes every 4000 miles. Fleet maintained.

 

Sounds like you're just itching for a reason to buy a newer truck, even if there's nothing wrong with your current truck. I've got 150K miles on my '08 w/5.4L. I run M1 regular synthetic in 5W-20 @ 7,500 mile intervals per the manual. She hasn't shown any signs of cam phaser noise or issues. I do have an exhaust manifold leak but that's the only "issue" it's had in 150K miles and I just haven't gotten around to pulling the passenger manifold and replacing the studs/gaskets.

 

If all you go is 2000 miles a year in the 4.6, then the oil needs to be changed yearly (on the new cars, Ford says up to 10,000 miles - depending on what the oil monitor says, or 1 year, which ever comes first).

It isn't good at all to change the oil every four years.

On my truck, it seems I've been going nearly 6000 miles between oil changes on ordinary Quaker State 5W20. Probably not a good idea, but since I started doing my own oil changes, I've been putting in 5W30 Castrol GTX high mileage synthetic blend, the furthest I'll go between changes is 5000 miles.

 

Not really. I would rather keep this truck for several reasons. The '04 to '08s look better, and I would rather stay away from the 6 speed transmissions.

 

I would never keep the same oil for 4 years. I year max, even if the miles are below the usual 8000.

 

Looks like both year models have their own problems. I should have waited for a 4.6 4X4. Kind of hard to find in decent shape.

 

So if you're not having any issues currently, then why are you complaining about waiting for a 4.6L or contemplating buying newer models? Your truck is fine unless there's something you're not telling us. Worrying about potential cam phaser issues that don't show up on every truck is kind of silly.

 

It's doing fine right now, but I don't know how long that will last. I have no intentions of shelling out the cash to have this engine torn down and fixed. If I start hearing some noise, I'll sell it and cut my losses.

 

Sounds like the oil pump may be the root of the cam phaser problem. Would a Melling high volume oil pump increase my chances of avoiding the phaser issues? How much labor is involved with replacing the oil pump?

 

Could not say it any better. I bought my 2006 5.4 about 6 years ago and did not know about any of the possible issues. The truck is going fine ever since and I see no reason for trading it (around 150k miles on it now). Just because the percentage of failures is higher on a specific model than you have on industrial average, does not mean the majority of the vehicles will have that problem. Go out and enjoy your truck instead of complaining!