I am looking at buying a 98 f150 with 90K miles and it has a triton 4.6 v8 I have been told this engine has had alot of problems especially the timing chain Is there any info on the reliability of this engine?

 

I have a 97 w/ 125k on it. I recently bought it (it had 122K). I have heard pretty good things about the 4.6. Lots of the folks here have well over 200k on them.

 

I would say you should be aware of the spark plug blow out issue. The heads do not have enough threads and the plugs have been known to blow out.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/autom...ord_spark.html

You can search this forum for this issue as well.

 

I put 149K miles on my '97 4.6L. In that time, I replaced the alternator, battery, starter and the heater core. Even at 149K it started without any noises from the engine. So look at the maint. from the owner. If it looks good, it should roll really well.

 

the 4.6 is a great engine in my opinion. i have a 97 xlt with 128k,not one problem. i also have a 96 crown victoria 115k. it was a state police car before i got it. i must admit i beat on it,not one problem.they keep on ticking.of course dont slack on maintenance

 

only yhe 5.4 has the plug blow out problems and the timing chain wear out problems. cause of the longer chains and the guides are the same size still. ive got over 145K hard miles on my truck and engine still going strong but the tranny has bit the big one.

 

90k? It's not even broke in good yet.

 

I have read that the plug problem exists on all the modular engines from 97 into sometime in 03. There are plently of stories of the V10 spitting plugs on the consumer complaint link. I believe there are also people here who have had the issue on a 4.6

The California class action lawsuit mentioned all three engines. Anyone know what happened with the suit?

 

plug blow out is related to people who dont know what their doing when they change out the plugs. ford proved that and i beleive the suit was dropped.

 

The 4.6L is a pretty tough engine. My '97 SCab 4.6L with 166,000 miles still runs just fine. I had several OEM plugs blow on the driver's side before the truck hit 30K miles. Put in some cheapo Bosch plugs and haven't had the problem since. I had 1 fuel injector start to leak around 50K. The only other failure I had was the DPFE sensor konking out around 60K. It's been failure free since then. I can't complain.

 

Faster150 is correct, spark-plug blowout issues derived from a very small group of Wynnie's who aren't holding themselves accountable for their own actions. They flame the manufacturer because there lack in know how. They do things half a$$ and an improper plug change can result as a very costly mistake. They might as well bark at the moon about it because know one here is listening. The evidentiary hearing revealed said findings. Google it.

The 4.6 is an awesome motor. My 5.4L has 200,000 miles and doesn't skip a beat. The compressions surprisingly on the top rung of the ladder side of spec. Thoroughly and PROPERLY maintenanced there seams to be know limits as to how far they can go.

AWESOME modular motors, period..........................

 

Bought my 98 X with 136,000 miles. Shes now at 151,000 with only a minor tick that goes away after start up and a small oil cooler leak

 

I was told in 97 the 4.6 was the motor to have. No real issues except for wear and tear. The one I have for sale has 111k on the clock and still feels as strong as it did 10 years ago. I had a 5.4 Expedition and that thing drove me crazy. My 4.2 97 work truck had only problems with the coil packs. That thing got 227k on it before we eventually sold it to get something newer. I believe the person that bought it broke the rear end but to my knowledge after that and a heater core it is still going strong.

 

I have 178K on my 4.6 and not one problem. Back when time was short I changed the oil (dino oil) every 9,000miles. I have change the coolant once in the trucks life, never changed the brake or power steering fluid. And changed the tranny fluid at 160,000miles for the first time. Trucks runs quite and does not leak one drop of oil. THESE 4.6L ARE REALLY BUILT FORD TOUGH!!!

 

the 4.6 has been in police service since it introduction, thats a testimony to the reliablilty