How many miles do the 5.4s usually last for? would buying a truck w/ a 5.4 @50k miles be a bad idea?

 

This was discussed very recently, search some of the topics below. Most say 150,000 to 200,000 miles. Take care of it and it will last a long time.

 

What about this piston slap issue I hear a lot about? Is that something I shoudl be concerned with. The truck I am considering buying is a 97.

 

Depends on where the engine was assembled I think....... I've got a 97 5.4 with 75k on it and no slap (KOW). Just been using regular ol' Penzoil 5w30 since I got it.

 

I thought all the 5.4's were assembled at Windsor?

SSR, 50K is low mileage for a '97. Mine has 42K.
Hard to say what to do about a used truck.
One '97 might be a good idea while another one a bad idea.
Piston Slap, involved a small percentage of trucks and of those, most all were detected before 50K.

Good Luck.

 

SSR, I recently bought a 98 Expy 5.4 4X4, i've put about 8,000 miles on it the past 6 months and so far it has been great. I don't have piston slap or any other complaints about the truck. Look the truck over really good, crawl under it with a flashlight and look at the engine, tranny, rear end, suspension, etc. You take somewhat of a chance anytime you buy a used vehicle but if it is in good shape and appears to have been taken car of, I wouldn't think too hard about it. That is low miles for a 97. My 98 had 32K on it when I bought it off a lease turn in. So far it is the best vehicle I've owned. Good Luck.

 

SSR,

There was a small% effected like Raoul said, but check the drivers side valve cover, and If it says Windsor,Ontario Canada then you could have something to think about, and I have also read that motors made at the same place made some motors with piston slap until late 98, and my truck was made December 98, in Widsor, Ontario Canada....it is calssified a 99' and I have put 93,337miles on her, (the reason I know), Im walking out to change the oil...but I would just listen to the motor, dont be alarmed by the clicking of the injectors, but listen for another tick...Its most likle fine with already 50K on it...by the way my truck is far from stock, and even with its 93,337 miles on it it runs like a bat out of hell, it was the best to go into debt...lol


5.4

 

I have a 98 5.4 with 180,000 miles with piston slap. That started at 12,000 miles makes noise first start every day. I use mobil one 5/30 8 oz. dynosurge every 10,000 miles oil change and mobil one filter

 

HI!... Well I have almost 100,000kms on my truck with just 2 blown head gaskets. One on the passenger side, and one on the driver's side. Besides that I have had no other problems with my 5.4 engine. It runs VERY strong as you can see from my lower SIG. Now the 4R70-W tranny behind the 5.4 engine? That's a totally different story!LOL!

 

I would imagine that the 5.4 would be somewhat similar in reliability to the 4.6. I just traded in my 98 F-150 4.6L with 205,000 miles. The only thing that I ever had to do to it was have the rear end bearings replaced. As far as the engine, I NEVER had any problems with it. Changed oil every 5,000 with Mobil 1 5-30 and K&N oil filter. I only traded it in so that it would still have some trade in value. Bought a 2001 F-150, 5.4, off-road and towing package with 2500 miles on it. I miss my stepside though.

Huskermac