I bought a used 2006 F-150 (5.4 3v) about 2 years ago, which was under 130k miles and I am at 130k now. Maybe I bought it at 120k, I forget now. When I bought it, the motor felt a little off but overall seemed good and price was decent. Few a few months or so however, I started noticing the motor not running not as good. I actually thought I was having tranny issues as it kind of felt like slippage but not exactly….which the more reading I have done in the past week or two I now believe it was an issue with the motor which always was slightly off when I bought it.

The last few weeksI ran into big problems where I was pulling a code for #4 misfire, rough driving/idle and the motor stalling out along with lose of power. I decided to change the plugs and coils which fixed the code but I was still having issues. Currently I am pulling a P0016 and also am hearing a noise at higher RPMs,I guess maybe the values but I’m not honestly sure what it is. So I ended up taking it to a Ford dealer for a diag. They said they are not seeing oil pressure and something about the variable valves (I think). There suggestion is a new motor.

Last summer I did try to do a top side oil change, never have done top side before, which I somehow ended up getting the tube that goes in the dipstick tube stuck so I have been running without the measurer in there but never had an error code or any oil I saw coming out so I was delaying on having to go under to get the tube I stuck in the tube out. I don’t think however is part of the problem but maybe? I won't do that again but wanted to give it a shot.

Maybe I need a new motor but I feel like the dealer maybe didn’t look at enough things, tossed on a gauge and low pressure (gauge on the cluster looks fine) and maybe didn’t look into much else. I went to them as I felt like they would research exactly what the issue was and then said it will cause X amount but for that price we suggest a new motor. The service writer told me that a new motor Is probably cheaper than just throwing parts at it.

So I am wondering what others think about the dealer? I'll try to find out more how it was troubleshooted but should I ask for anything specific? Overall, are there things I should check? I am pretty technically and do a lot of my own work but motor internals I don’t do. When I originally spoke to the service writer it sounded like they would spend mores diag if needed so I feel bummed they appear to not have looked at enough things as expected.

 

It's hard to tell just how much needs to be replaced without tearing into it. With the labor rates at Ford, it may well cost close to as much as a replacement engine, but I think this dealer just doesn't want to repair it, they want to replace it, much easier for them. They may be worried about replacing a bunch of parts and having you come back on warranty. These 5.4 3 valve engines are junk when they start to go like that. You probably need new cam phasers and solenoids, timing chains, tensioners and guides, and an oil pump. Very possible it needs even more.

Honestly - unless you really like the truck and want to sink several grand into it, I'd try to trade it off and get a different truck.

WHY did you buy it if the engine "felt a little off" without researching the Ford 3 valve engine?

 

My post did say that I still got a good deal on it so it is why I still purchased it but this thread is not about that.

I never did expect to have any work done at the dealer, even a motor swap somewhere else for a remanufactured motor is 40% cheaper then at the dealer. It's still worth more even to swap and resale it then try to sell it as is, but again this thread isn't about that.

What I am interested in learning is what maybe o should go back to the dealer and ask them what and how they checked and possibly finding out any thing on my own.

The service rep led me to believe they cap out their charge for diagnose, which they do, but and would work it until they are certain what the issue even if it takes hours longer then the rate in the cap. But to me, it seems like they didn't keep going as I know low oil pressure has a few different things to be checked which didn't sound like they did. Maybe I need to first ask how they did their diagnose.

 

You couldn't give me an F150 with a 3V 5.4 in it... Ugh.. Way more issues than my 97 F150 5.4 ever had.. I didn't even like the new "PI" head 5.4's back in the day. Got well over 250,000 miles out of that old 97 5.4..

So got me a 13 Ecoboost... ha, ha... I've heard all the issues with them too, but so far so good... 60,000 miles so far.

Cam phaser, timing chain issue with the 3V are common.

Good luck!

Mitch