I am thinking about purchasing a Ford F150 4 x 4 with the 5.4 engine. I have heard of problems with the 4.6. It has 80000 miles on it and runs fine, but I have heard so many problems with the 4.6, I was wondering if the 5.4 was any good. Please let me know what to look out for and if this is a good move for me to make.

 

What types of problems have you heard about the 4.6L because I haven't heard of any. Now some people do have problems with the 5.4L, like piston slap and spark plug blowouts, but even those are rather rare.

Ask for the service records. Around 80k, you'll want new plugs if not already done. Look for antifreeze around the cylinder heads and oil under the engine. Really, there isn't a whole lot special about looking at 97-03 F-150's. They are pretty reliable trucks as far as powertrain goes. Oh, door cracks on the front doors. I'm sure a search can find you many an example.

 

I've had 4 trucks with 4.6L and 5.4L engines and have had absoluteley no engine problems with any of them. They include a 97 4.6L that had about 80,000 miles, a 98 4.6L with 30,000 miles, 02 a 5.4L with 50,000 miles, and a 98 5.4L with 115,000 miles.

No one I know that has an F150 with a 4.6L or 5.4L has ever had any major problems.

 

I have scanned this and other sites prior to purchasing my 03 with a 4.6. I have not seen any major problems with the 4.6. Matter of fact the only minor issues have come from the 5.4.

Bottom line is you are looking at a vehicle with 80K. Expect some issues, and by all means learn the history of the vehicle. Get a CARFAX history, call the previous owner, look at the maintenance records.

 

Of the three motors in these trucks, the 4.6 is generally your "bulletproof" choice. Not sure what "major issues" you are referring to on those. The 5.4 has had a few more issues (piston slap, spark plug blowouts, leaking head gaskets (also gets some 4.6 engines), but not enough more that I would even come close to calling it a bad motor.

I just sold off my '97 4.6 with 162,000 on it a month ago. Ran like a top...

 

I have a 2000 5.4. Had all but the plug blow out issues mentioned by Gopher above.

All this started at about 38,000 miles.

You decide for yourself what you can afford and are willing to live with.

IMHO the two things my F150 has going for it are tons of Torque and is the best looking truck I ever hope to own.

Mine makes so much noise I know I will buy a diesel next truck and that may be the cummins after surfing the Inernet and hearing about the Power Strokes.

But maybe I can find that Power Stroke my brother in law has. Best dam truck ever built by anyone it is.


I am confused on what I want. I just know I wouldn't tell a friend to get a 5.4

I have so much money in the one I own I will have to drive it 20 years to break even


tom

 

Here is one 4.6L issue:

http://www.blueovalnews.com/2003/pow...ick.t31604.htm

 

I havn't heard anything too bad about either engine, but this
is what I've heard.

4.6l -97-98 a couple hundred were put together that
developed piston knock and bottom end knock
before 40-50000 km.
-very good mpg in 2 wheel drive models
-good mpg in 4x4
-with synthetic oil engines last to 350000km
no rebuild - - not too good for heavy towing

5.4l -same97-98 prob.
-excell towing
-good towing mpg
-city mpg not very good
-towing with the f150 change the tranny fliud often

My 1998 4.6l has 240000km on it 180000km with a 400lb gas tank in the box. only extra work done; tranny rebuild at
180000km,(busted a tranny line 4x4)and a starter fly wheel
two solniod starter systems suck.

 

Go with a 5.4

The differance on gas milage is not enough to worry about on a 4x2 truck. You will not have the downshifing that a 4.6 can experiance going up a hill. The extra power of the 5.4 will not have you second guessing if you got the "right" engine. You will also have a greater resale value if you trade vehicles often. The number of problems seen on the list with the 5.4 are a very small percentage of the great running engines that are out there.

The 4.6 is a good engine. My opinion is that it is better suited to a sedan or muscle car, not a areodynamic brick that can weigh a couple of tons.

 

I just traded my 99 4.6L ( 220,000 MI) for a 03 5.4L. the difference in hill climbing is noticable. I am reasonably heavy with equipment all of the time and the 4.6 did a lot of downshifting for hills. It was still plenty of power and I can't say anything but good things about its reliability, just it is a little nicer having that little extra power. Fuel economy is nearly identical. I think the 5.4 works a little easier so it offsets the milage the 4.6 used to get. Both get @ 15.6 in combined hwy/cty driving with 850 lbs in the bed.

 

I have a 99 Expy with the 5.4, and I have had the head gasket leak, but Ford took care of it under an extended warrantee. They have a 'revised' four layer gasket that has pretty much solved the problem. The most prevelent leakers seemed to be the 99's, a diminshing number in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Not sure if the 03's have the problem at all. I have had zero other problems, and would buy another in a heartbeat. Its the best running and driving vehicle I have ever owned.