What is the deal with the 5.4 engines? I'm on my second one and it just to a dump on me. The first new engine only lasted around 15.000 miles before I started noticing a ticking noise on cold start up. We took it in to the dealer and they told us it was normal. (By the way this is Berg Ford in Mesa AZ). Finally after taking it back in around 24,000 miles for the same problem, which was getting worse, they again told us it was normal and complained that we have not serviced the truck since we bought it. I told them that I was not only a mechanic with plenty of experience performing service, but my father is a Senior JuniormenJunior-Men Auto Tech, with over 40 years of experience. Finally at 48,000 miles the agreed that there was a problem and replaced the engine with a "Rebuilt". I protested this due to my knowledge of rebuilt engines, but they told me that Ford would not give me a NEW engine. Well, now I have a Rebuilt engine that only lasted about 9,000 miles. It started making the same noise after only 8,000 miles and again Berg Ford told us it was normal. Now the engine has totally destroyed it self and will not run. I do have a question about how to get a NEW engine. Is it possible to force Ford to give me a NEW 2001 engine? Has anyone tried, and if so what was the out come? Has Ford fixed this problem in the newer engines? Thanks.

 

I believe the new engines do not have this problem - piston slap, rod knock, wrist pin knock, whatever you want to call it. However, I went thru the same crap as you, and I could not get them even close to giving me a new engine, only FQR. They will only do it if it's within the first 12mos/12k miles.

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firstimeFord
99 SC 4x4 5.4 3.73LS

 

dfordman1, what year 5.4l did you start out with and what was the original production date of the fqr you got?

My 2000 5.4l has been flawless other than it stays pretty thirsty. However, I can't seem to keep my foot out of the accelerator. Like to hear that triton power!

 

Thanks for all your replays. The year is a 1997, Prod date is 11/96. I’m not sure of the production date on the FQR, they wouldn’t tell me and I never checked. I’m very sure I won’t get a new 2001 engine, but I have to try. I don’t want to go through the same crap again with a nether FQR. They should change that to FSR. (F*&$ing S*&T Rebuilt). Both my father and I have rebuilt Ford engines that lasted well over 100,000 miles, and Ford couldn’t even put together one that would run 10,000. Makes me very sick. As for the 2000-year models, I’m not sure if they are having the same problems, but I do believe so. You might want to check into it just to be on the safe side. And as for fuel economy, yes they do like the gas. The best I ever got was 21 mpg and that was on a trip with no load and keeping it around 60 to 65mph.

 

I feel for you firsttimeford, I assure you not all Ford vehicles are like this so dont rely on your first impression too much. they really are nice trucks :-)

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'97 F-150 XLT Clearcoat Red
4x2
17 inch Wheels
Stepside, K&N, bedliner
32inch tires,flowmaster,
tint, matching ford sticker
5spd fully loaded, hidden hitch
new spark plugs