Seems like the general consensus around here is that the 4.6L is better in terms or reliability and durability than the 5.4L. Wasnt these engines introduced at the same time? Also isnt the 5.4L built by Navistar which is owned by International? I know International makes good engines. So my question is the 4.6L better than the 5.4L if so why? To me it seems that the newer 3 valve 5.4L have more problems than the old 2v ones?

 

Navistar makes the 6.0L diesel. The 5.4L is made by Ford.

 

In my opinon, the 4.6 is more reliable than the 5.4. However, the 4.6 lacks the guts that the 5.4 has.

 

the 5.4 is a lot more complicated then the 4.6 .. im certainly not making excuses for the people that build the engine.. just saying its risk for failure is higher..

what are the most common problems that your talking about? things like breaking sparkplugs have nothing to do with the engine ....

other then the TICK that every 5.4 seems to have from the cam phasers i'd say its a good motor..

now watch.. i'll go get in mine and it'll blow up

actually i hope it does so ford can replace it under my ESP warrenty..

 

4.6L

 

I agree. I see far more problems with the 5.4 than the 4.6 it seems like. The 4.6 does have its problems though too.
And also, the 4.6 is pretty lame in the power department...

Like Jdew said, Navistar only makes the diesels that I know of. I know they made the 7.3, didnt know they made the 6.0 though.

 

I'm not sure what to say - I think my miles speek for themself . I have 200,000 and my compression is awesome . Ran Castrol half and half for a long time. Using Amsoil full syn now. Each cylinder is within spec on the ladder side in fact. I'll take the 5.4L any day over a 4.6. The 4.6 lacks the fun you generate from the 5.4L. See yuh in the rear view!! Well, until you completely disapear lol..

 

Ill race ya...

I have the 4six by the way


lol

 

Are you sure you wanna wynde that rubberband that tight ?- I make power everywhere , 4.6's get there, , eventually. I'll wait up and race yuh when you finally have the r's up. hahaa

 

I have almost 190,000 miles on my 5.4L.

Condition: Un-changed since I bought it, except it doesn't burn any oil anymore.

Repairs: Dried out a wet COP after I pressure washed the engine (don't wash your engine) Cleaned dirt out of IAC valve. (don't even try a K&N air filter if you work in dirt)

Mantinence: I changed the sparkplugs once. Changed the serpentine belt once. I changed the oil and filter every 5,000 miles with JD 10w30 and JD oil filters. I've stopped up about 12 motorcraft air filters with dirt.

Mods: Took the intake silencer out. (stupid. It's in there for a reason. Now my engine makes a dumb humming sound when the weather is very hot.)

Opinion: It's a good engine. Just getting broke in good.

 

Chester where yuh been? might need a little support - to many 4six's out there!!

 

BOTH the engines have ticks. 5.4 and 4.6 both have TSBs out on them. 4.6's they have narrowed it down to mainly valveguides.

 

sure, whatever

 

Working. School. Girlfriend.
Nah! The numbers speak for themselves. Everybody knows where it's at!

...As long as my truck keeps rolling, it's the best there's ever been. When it dies, then it's a worthless piece of crap!!!

 

The 4.6 was designed for those who wanted a V8, but did not necessarily need the torque to pull a big trailer.

It does it's job well. Its not going to get you anywhere in a hurry and it's not going to be exactly what I would call confidence inspiring when pulling a trailer or a load in the box, but it does what its' supposed to. Get you from point A to point B.

The 4.2 is a DOG in a full size pickup. Espeically a 4x4 or Xcab. It might be a shade cheaper on insurance, but it is a low performance torqueless turd that should be in a Mustang and not a fullsize. It was supposed to replace the 4.9 bigsix....hahahahaha. I made the mistake of falling for the sales pitch in '97 when the new truck was introduced. Had a '95 F150 with a 4.9/5 speed....loved it, but liked the new body style & went with the same truck (XLT reg cab 6 cyl/5 speed). The 4.2 DOES NOT in any way come close to the power & torque of the 4.9 big six. I don't even think the 4.6 does for that matter, but the 4.6 is smoother running for sure.

So in 2000, I traded in the '97 for a 2000 F150 ext cab 4x2 with a 5.4. I drove 2 trucks, both identical XLTs, same gearing, everything...but one had a 4.6 the other a 5.4. At first there isn't much difference. Put a load in the bed and the difference becomes HUGE. The 5.4 has a ton more torque for pulling. It may not be a hot rod (that's what a Lightning is for) but it pulls with authority. I sold that truck to my father and last Jan. I bought a used '03 Lightning...which I had wanted since they came out in '99. Nice truck and I couldn't imagine it with a 4.6 and a blower. It just wouldn't have the torque. I use my Lightning for a TRUCK. I pull my race car with it. I drive it daily. Race it from time to time at the dragstrip. Like to take a Sunday drive in the mountains on twisty mountainous roads at some speed. It does EVERYTHING I want a truck to do. BTW, It is bone stock...no mods and it will stay that way.

In short, if you're in the market for a truck...if you pull a trailer, if you have a load in the bed, if you just like torque like me, or if you want some authority, get the 5.4. If you don't care about power/torque and dont mind getting there slowly, the 4.6 is OK. Both get the same fuel mileage (don't care what anyone says...they are basically the same) as well. About 17-21 depending on how you drive. My Lighthing gets 16-19 normally, high 22 driving 55 for an extended period of time, low of 12 with the trailer on back running 60 on the freeway.