The 5.4L 3-valve "mileage vs symptoms" thread!

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762mm

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Ok, so everyone on the internet is crapping on the 5.4L as a ticking time bomb due to cam phasers, rocker arms and timing chain tensioners.

Let's do a little survey of what problems we've actually had, including model year and at what mileage. I'll go first :



Year : 2014


Mileage : 132,000 miles


Problems noticed :

1) Cam phaser on the passenger side noisy when engine is hot (ticking sound)

2) Timing chain rattle on cold startup, after the truck has been sitting for a few days (lasting about 2-3 seconds).
 

rwmorrisonjr

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Year: 2012

Mileage: 146k

Problems noticed: none other than some lift gate paint bubbling and climate control resistor failures.
 
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JExpedition07

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Previous 2007 XLT 180,000 miles

Issues: None

2007 EL Eddie Bauer 150,000 miles

Issues: None, occasional startup rattle annoyance.
 

Gary Waugh

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2008 EL Limited
160,000 miles
Plastic T hose leaked in coolant system, front disks warped, retracting step on drivers side died, driver window broke (steel cable broke), 4 new shocks at 140k miles, 3 batteries and 12 tyres.

No other issues and no noises..
 
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Ron1978

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2014 limited, no issues other than A/C blower wires needed new harness.
82k
 

inmanlanier

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2012 EL XLT 77.5K miles. Front shocks leaked just out of warranty, replaced with Bilsteins. 1 Battery, 1 set of tires. Paint bubbling rear door adjacent handle chrome tim. Tow/haul switch plastic failed and replaced. No oil startup rattles yet.
 

Tocapet

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2009 Expy XLT EL. Drivers side window regulator replaced with aftermarket, now no more auto up/down. Right side 02 sensor replaced. Tires, Optima red-top battery, K&N permanent air filter. Problem now is A/C & heat select door. Only get air thru the A/C vents. It ate the plastic gears in the little regulator motor. Otherwise, at 130K miles, no cam phaser problems, runs like a striped ape. Gets 14 MPG. Don't know if the plugs have ever been changed. Bought it used with 75K miles. Previous owner didn't know if they had been changed or not. He didn't have the door code, but I was able to retrieve it from the back of the smart fuse box.
 

Lynnii2

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Year : 2010 Limited 2wd

Mileage : 192,587 miles

Problems noticed :

I'm the second owner I bought it certified with only 60,000 miles 6 years ago.

1) Cold starts timing chain rattle for a few seconds (5w20 full synthetic mobil 1 oil) I live in Southern California.

2) Blend door actuator replaced in front passenger dash 3 years ago (Doorman).

3) Blend door actuator replaced again but this time all 4 are bad. The two under the passenger side dash, Then the two on the passenger side rear. I replaced all with Motorcraft 2 weeks ago.

4) Lift gate paint bubbling.

5) Replaced all factory shocks with KYB Shocks 150,000 miles. Add S&B cold air intake, CGS Exhaust cat back system.

No complaints truck run like it did when I bought it.
 
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