My 2000 F-150 Lariat 4x4 just came in, and it has the 5.4 in it. Right now it's at the dealer being prepped, so I've had time to read a few too many posts on this board.

I've read numerous complaints about this engine. Of course there is much praise as well, but the complaints always seems to stick out over the good stuff.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone can summarize the problems I might encounter with this engine. Apparently the piston slap problem has been solved as of April (is this verified?) but now I'm hearing problems of oil leaks and cracking. Where exactly is the oil leaking from, and what exactly is cracking? Any other problems that stand out that I haven't read about?

Thanks in advance... I'm keeping my fingers crossed! :/

 

Problems so far:

Darn thing gets to dirty out here in the sand, Have to keep washing it every few weeks.

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2000 F150 SC XLT
5.4
4-sp auto
255/70r-16
3.55 LS
Heavy Duty electric
Heavy Duty cooling
Trailer Towing Group
Keyless Entry
Soft Cover
Captains Chairs
wedg blue& silver two tone
Fog Lights
Bed Liner
Fender Flairs
Cab Steps
10 disc CD changer

(Just 892 more payments and that sucker is all mine)

 

Too much power
(wheels spin every time I get on the gas )
I think it's more of a tire problem though

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99 XLT 5.4L Regular Cab 4x2 120" Wheelbase 4 wheel disc brakes/ABS 5 star larait style wheels Toreador Red/Silver 3.55 gears 255/70/16 OWL Delta toolbox, Ventshades, Bugflector, Bullrings, Donnelly compass mirror, 2" Rear drop.
Eclipse 5340 cd player
Memphis ARCS50 component speakers w/tweeters mounted flush in the door panels (excellent sound)powered by a Sherwood 35x2 RMS amp
Jensen 50x2 RMS for the 2 Audiobahn AWC10 subs
regcab54@sc.rr.com

 

My problem....I am only on payment 2 of 60...and like 54regcab said...way too much power!!

I did not have any leaks, cracks, or piston slap with my 98 5.4L (20,000 miles) and so far..nothing in my 2000 5.4L. I did move and zip tie a wire harness away from the AC canister (?) on the passenger side of the truck after reading that it 'might' cause a rough idle.

Don't worry too much....the 5.4L is a very good and reliable engine.

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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99

 

Hello and happy new year!!

I've had my '00 Lariat SC 4x4 since October ... no problems at all with the 5.4 Triton. I'm very pleased with the truck overall. It is much nicer in fit/finish and in power than my '95 EB Bronco with the 350 c.i.

Every so often one of the belts will squeak for a few minutes in the morning, which I will have fixed next time I'm at the dealership.

The Goodyears that come with the ORP suck, however, and with an open diff in the rear (which I have), you WILL spin the inner tire on wet pavement. I highly recommend the limited slip diff with these trucks.

Only other prolem I've had is with the paint on the hood, which has 15 or so paint imperfections (look like small pits in paint that go down to the base coat!!). I will have the hood re-painted before the 12/12 paint warranty expires.

Steve

2000 4X4 Lariat SC SB
5.4
Two tone black/silver
All options except LS differential

MODS so far:

-Westin step bars (powder coated matte black)
-Lund bug shield
-Gentex electrochromatic rear view mirror
-Cabin Air Filtration Kit

MODS to come:

-Superchip (of course!!)

-K&N or AirAid air plenum/filter (can't decide yet which one to get)

-Flowmaster Force II exhaust (series 50 SUV with duals out the rear)

-Mickey Thompson Classic 16" wheels with 305/75 BFG AT KO's

-4.10 gears (still thinking about this one ...anyone have any input?)

-LS diff or locker of some sort once they are available..

 

Have a '99 5.4L for almost a year now. The only problems I've had so far is the same as the others have said.

Too much power, especially when the road is wet or on turns from a stop.

Had a rough idle situation, but a couple of zip ties later and when this engine is hot, it's as smooth as silk and very quiet.

I have not had the piston slap problem. I understand the piston slap happens in 1 out of 1,000 engines? Something like that. I also read that engines with this problem have absolutely no proplems with reliability. Some have already gone over 100k miles with it.

Oh, I also had a squeeky belt problem that the dealer fixed right away. Never had it happen again since it was fixed the first month.

TSSCS, that paint problem is pitting caused by rail dust/industrial fallout. It probably happened during shipping. YES, get it fixed under warranty. You got the info right about the 12/12. It's most evident on dark paint, after you wax the truck. The wax gets stuck in the pits.

Check the roof and the upper surfaces of the fenders too. I'll bet you'll find more pitting. Give the truck a wax job, but don't buff it out too well. The wax will get caught in the pits and will reveal themselves.

[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited 01-03-2000).]

 

Hi guys,

the if you want to remove the specks on the paint, you can also clay it before waxing/polishing. I decided to do it myself. Took me 4 hours and still needs some work.

Let the dealer do it if you don't want tired arms.

I have a 99 and my truck has the rough idle. I tried the "move the wire harness" trick but didn't work too well. It's actually at the dealer right now. Hopefully they'll fix it.

Robert

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99 F150 Xtracab 4X4 XLT
5.4 liter Flairside
3.73 gears
all stock for now

 

I think most of the problems posted on the board relate to pre-99 5.4s. Supposedly these issues were addressed and fixed after 98.

 

Nine months, 13,167 miles, still smilin'.

WAIT! WHAT WAS THAT?

(Just trying to get a role on the Blair Witch Project sequel)

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99 Lariat Normal Cab 2WD 120"WB 5.4 3.55LS, Tow,
Dark Toreador/Gold, Line-X
raoul_oba@hotmail.com
F150's of Virginia
Just cause we're from Virginia don't mean we're(well, you know)

 

The oil leak is a block casting defect that
late 98 early 99 5.4's were efected. I was told by the dealer that blocks in a 4 month period could have this defect. My motor had it and was mfg 12/98. He made the remark that his service dept had done about 20 installs this year. The way he put it gave me the impression they were all leakers. My motor is being replaced as I write this with a 2000 block. Went out back and looked at it and wrote down the casting numbers to avoid the old bait and switch. Anyway great motor with tons of power. Just a little messy on the driveway!

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1999 F150 XLT,4wd.ORP,5.4
White,Alpine/Infinity,K&N

 

Don't worry so much!! I maintain a couple of fleets of these trucks and all are abused badly. They hold up very good. My new truck is the only one that has the Slapp It is recieving a 2000 engine as I write. Even with the slap it is a great engine. Yes like the others it has too much power awsome!!

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99 F150 xlt s/c orp auto 5.4 soft tonneau, rubber maid bed mat,mud from the dirt bike(YZ250)

 

rcantu, the problem with the paint are pits (read that as holes) in the clearcoat. Clay is good for removing contaminants from the surface.

 

WARNING....JUST GOT MY HELMS REPAIR MANUAL FOR MY WIFES 97 COUGAR SPORT AND FORD/GM/CHRYSLER HAS A TSB RE PAINT CLAY...DON'T USE IT!!!! IT WILL DAMAGE THE PAINT BEYOND REPAIR IN MOST CASES. THEY LIST A CMPANY WITH 2 LIQUID PRODUCTS THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM.

IT SEEMS THE PAINT CLAY ONLY REMOVES THE TOPE PART OF THE CONTAMINATION AND LEAVES THE REMAINING WHICH DESTROYS OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS THE PAINT FROM THE BOTTOM SIDE (PRIMER) UP...ALMOST LIKE A RUST PROBLEM & THE ONLY FIX IS TO STRIP & REPAINT.

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Member: Never trust a person over 40 who drives a Chevy club
Flatheads ain't so bad!
Certified backyard mechanic I & II