hey all,
i recently just purchased a '99 F150 Lariat. it has the 5.4L with about 77,000 miles on it. from this thread and others, i am getting the feeling that the 5.4L is a troublesome motor, far more than the 4.6L which is discouraging for me. Two questions for anyone interested: what has been your experience with this motor, good or bad? and, getting more specific and maybe somewhat off topic, what is your thoughts on using Castrol Syntec in this motor? thanks to all for any help.

 

This is how I see it (and I'm often wrong)

While maybe there are more reported problems concerning the 5.4, remember there's a gazillion of these engines on the street, and when you look at the overall % of problems, the real life chance of getting a "Problem 5.4" seems very low.
(number of actual 5.4 engines in the hands of consumers compared to actual problems)

My experience really has no value because even though my 5.4 has been problem free, I only have 20,000 miles on it, and it's a 02. so perhaps it's too soon to tell.

Like anything, attention to regular maintenance will pay dividends in the long term.

As far as the Castrol, my father-in-law has been using only castrol in his Mazda trucks, and always gets 400 - 500,000 problem free kilometers out of them when he trades them in.

Myself, I stick with the Ford oil, but since my dealership charges me 16 bucks for an oil change, I'm there almost every month getting fresh oil, so it doesn't have much time to break down.

If your 5.4 is in good shape, and has been regularly maintained, I think you should be fine.

Good luck
Habibi

 

What makes you think the 5.4 is a troublesome motor? Far as i know it doesnt have any big particular problem aside from the plug spitting issue. This seems to be most apparent in the S/C boys pushing their boosts up nice and high. Just check your plugs, seem tight? then your fine. Aside from that i dont think your in for any trouble, just do your maintainance.

 

Keep in mind, this is the thread where people come to get help for problems with thier engines. If there were a thread for people to post they were having no problem with thier engine or were very pleased with it, I'm sure you'd see the overwhelming majority of 5.4 owners have no complaints. And like the other guys suggested, I'm also sure a lot of the problems posted here are self-inflicted from poor maintenance or modifcations.

Personally, I have a '98 5.4 with 105,000 miles on it that's had absolutely NO maintanance other than oil changes and air filters (I haven't even changed the plugs yet) and it still runs perfect. I also have an '02 with 45,000 miles with the same story.

I've also had a couple of 4.6's (one with about 75K). Although I had no problems with them either, I'm much happier with the 5.4's power, touque, and milage.

 

As dbarbee said, this is the place to read about problems. If I had thought the 5.4 was a problem engine I would not have bought my 03 Lariat. The 5.4 is a good strong engine with great torque. As you can see by my signature I also have the 4.6 in the GT Mustang and have had a couple of other 4.6's in other Fords.

Enjoy your truck, you made a good choice! There is a possibility of an engine failure in any engine, anything mechanical can break down.

Change the oil at 3000 miles with dino and 5000 miles with synth and you will be in good shape, and stay away from FRAM filters. I use the Motorcraft 820S in both vehicles. The dealer changes the oil in the Mustang with Motorcraft 5-20, and I do the F150 and use Mobil 1 0W-30. I plan on using the new Mobil 1 0W-20 in the future. You will see many arguments on the proper oil.

 

OK, its true the 5.4 has had its share of problems, I myself have had the head gasket leak on my 99 5.4. Having said that, if you check other boards, GM is certainly having their share of problems, and so is Dodge. I'm not sure you could really say the Ford 5.4's are any less reliable than most of the others out there. In my case the gasket has been the only problem I've had in almost five years of driving this truck. Yes I wish it hadn't happened, my extended warrantee did step up, so my out of pocket cost was only the $100.00 deductable. For what its worth, current plans are to replace the 99 with an 04 or 05, and my preferance now is another Expedition.

 

Ford sells about 1.2 million 5.4L engines per year. You may hear about 50 of them bad on these forums. While that repersents a small percentage of the 1.2m per year, the defects are still very few, as already mentioned. I have a 99 5.4L and an 03 5.4L. 68.5k on the 99 and not one engine problem. I changed the plugs 10k ago. It needs a gaterback as well, but that is one solid truckl. I feel sorry to let it go, but I am sure my 03 will be the same.

 

Like so many have said, most folks only post about problems. My F150 xlt orp with 5.4 has 34000 miles with only recomended service. Wednesday I will take it in for a minor problem with the cd changer, and ask about the door crack (dosen't have one yet). nicest truck I have ever owned.

 

i have '97 f150 xlt 4x4 ext. cab 151,000 miles changed plugs at 120,000 miles only problem to date.

 

If you are getting that feeling because of what you hear or see under your hood then ok.

If the feeling comes from what you read here then let me help you feel better.

My engine build date is 3/23/99.
No slap, no leak, no anything bad.
69400 miles.

It ran the 1/4 faster than when new, one or two years old and I don't know why.

I've had the truck for 50 payments (10 to go ) and it sounds/runs just like the day I brought it home.

Anyway, if you get the feeling the 5.4L is troublesome because of what you read then just read this single post and block out everything else.

 

If it's got 77,000 on it, morn likely any problems would have show up by now. Don't sweat it. You still got the best 1/2 ton truck there is. I've owned many GM vehicles and thought regular major problems were the norm, until I bought a Ford. My dodge blew a head gasket and threw a tie rod both before 36,000 mi.