2005 Ford F-150 5.4 3v XLT

I have a couple of problems.

1. I had to replace my left head gasket at 66,000 miles, now I have to replace it again at 92,000.

2. I had to replace coil pack and the spark plug for the 8th cylinder at the same time. Second time the spark plug had mushroomed.

3. Idles rough at complete stop and sounds like a diesel engine. Some of the forums I have read say the problem may be related to the Cam Phasers / lifters.

Anybody else having problems like this, or is my engine headed for an early grave.

 

head gasket- is the truck overheating? is it leaking coolant? who did the gasket the first time?

cop and plug- what part of the plug was mushroomed? was the timing set right when the gasket was replaced?

rough idle- is there a cel?

 

Truck is not overheating all the gauges are normal. Can't see any visible signs of coolant leaking. Dealership has done all the work, so I am assuming that everything was done correctly.

 

well if the headgasket is blown internally then it may be causing the rough idle. what makes you think the gasket is blown anyways?

 

During routine service the dealership found the bad head gasket.

 

the only ways i've seen bad head gaskets were because white smoke blowing out the tailpipes from the coolant getting into the combustion chamber. and blown externally and just leaking. if its blown again i'd say it would have a cracked head and the dealer didnt check it the first time.

 

I drive a lot but I don't remember seeing white smoke, then again I wasn't looking for it either.

The coolant level was low when they replaced the head gasket.

This is what it states on the Invoice

92008 - Check for oil leak found left head gasket leaking oil. Replace head gasket and seals.

 

ok so its a oil leak. i still dont think they did the job right but thats just me. someone else may be able to steer you in the right direction. have the plugs ever been changed? if not then this is the time to do them.

 

Plugs have not been changed except for the one (twice). I was planning to change the plugs during the next service ( I have an extended warranty to 100,000 ) so I am trying to get all of these problems resolved before I have to start paying for all of these problems.

I still don't think that it is normal to have the same coil pack go bad, these thing rarely fail, but when they do - they do (but twice).

Any ideas on the rough idle and diesel engine sound?

 

well the 5.4 3v plugs break. sometimes people get lucky and they come out but not always. and sometimes if the tool the dealers have cant get part of the plug out,they need to pull the head anyways. it just makes it easier for everybody this way. the dieseling sound is most likely the cam phasers. the 5.4 3v is known for them. i think its just a sound and not gonna hurt anything. and the cop, if there is alot or resistance(oil on plug possibly) that blocks the spark then it'll weaken the cop or if they get wet, etc.