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

762mm said:

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).

Click to expand...

I have a 2006 Limited HD package and it currently has about 144,000 miles. I just completed a driving from Washington state to San Diego towing my 98 mustang. Towed 5,800 pounds and hauled a combine weight of 12,360 pounds. The vehicle runs 5w30 mobile synthetic in engine, mobile ATF synthetic transmission fluid, spark plugs recently changed (engine has to be slightly warm and they come out easily), O2 sensors changed. Ran awesome and at times went up at least 8% hills, or maybe slightly steeper - depending on the hills, this baby was climbing nicely in second and third with no problem. No engine issues at all - all original drive train except for shocks and stuff like that.

The problem with the cam phaser is folks leave convention oil in the engine too long and it breaks down causing slug to recks the phasers. Especially if towing, these new engine break the down the oil quicker. Convention oil should never be used for more than 3000 miles - never use cheap convention oil!!! After heavy towing (especially if one does not have the HD package, coming with the bigger coolant radiator) should change the the convention oil always!

Now using full synthetic, yes can leave the oil in for 5,000 prior to changing it out.

I bought these 06 in August of 2019 and the passages side timing tensioner would sound at the first start up after sitting for some time. I changed out the convention oil and threw that oil filter across the street! I put 5w30 Mobile 1 synthetic with a quart of Rislone engine (Autozone) and changed out this oil (with the Rislone) 500 miles later - tensioner noise gone. From there on I just use 5w30 mobile 1 with motorcraft oil filter and the above maintenance - the engine runs gracefully. I also did an extensive coolant flush - very important your coolant is flowing and clean.

I did the same as you for my startup rattle as I won’t be doing timing job until spring. I put a little (fraction of recommended) oil treatment/stop leak in and the rattle doesn’t usually happen now. The tensioner gasket that blow out are a rubber seal, so the seal conditioners swell the rubber up to help seal better.

Hmmm-

2010 F250 5.4L 3v would throw timing errors all the damn time- take it to dealer- no issue found or they threw parts at it and same problem returned 2 months later. 67,000 clatter on startup, which digressed into chain guides breaking, timing chain failure, VCT solenoid failure etc... when it puked it left me on the side of a highway pulling our horses to a show. You try loading/unloading horses on the side of a freeway... had the truck 3 years and it was always throwing damn valve timing codes. It was so bad I used to just keep my scanner plugged in all the time. Fixed it, again, and got rid of it. Only vehicle I ever took a loss on to the tune of almost 10 grand. Couldn't get any decent price due to the well publicized issues with the 5.4 3v engine even though I'd put a fresh engine in it. Bought a GMC diesel - close to 297,000 on it now with no issues.

in contrast, my 2002 ford conversion van 5.4 2v- 348,887 miles when I sold it and it never burned a drop of oil. Body wore out (MI winters), wore out a set of rear gears, wore out the spindles etc... but that damn thing never broke down. Rock solid- which was my I was so disappointed in the 3v engine.

2007 Eddie Bauer. 5.4. 304,000 miles. Rear main seal leak and bubbling lift gate paint, but that's it.

2008 Eddie Bauer EL. 110,000 miles. I have had A/C problems with compressor dying twice (warranty repair second time). New rear shocks, tailgate and hood paint bubbling, brake safety switch was replaced, driver seat control panel is free floating. Other repairs are normal maintenance such as tires, battery, wiper blades etc. The truck runs like new, no noises, smooth, mostly all highway miles for long trips.

2011 XLT 4x4 HD towing, 180K and climbing rapidly
Plastic T-hose leaked in the coolant system
The battery just last winter
Front brakes twice and they need it again (lots of towing)
Plugs at 125K miles
Very slight ticking, nothing I'd be concerned with and I've heard much worse on other engines, especially Chrysler 300 6cyl now those are some sloppy lifters.
Trans filter and all fluids changed at 125K
Idler and tensioner pulleys at 150K, Tensioner was shot and whining, figured might as well do them both while in there.
Blend door needs replacing in front, but it doesn't bother me as the click is only at fully cold setting.
Rear struts at 150K

2006 Eddie Bauer
600k+
Cam Phasers 1x
Timing chain 2x
Timing chain tensioners 2x (I did the last replacements with High performance aluminum)
The above are are bad parts more than bad design... the plastic tensioner are just stupid.

Year : 2007


Mileage : 216,000 miles


Problems noticed :
Cracked passenger side exhaust manifold. After towing 24' enclosed trailer through the Appalachian mountains...
Plastic coolant T-hose cracked.
Suspension compressor.
Heat/Cool seats DOA. Never bothered diagnosing. Probably plug under pass seat.
A/C just crapped out. Either the clutch or the compressor is doa. Haven't diagnosed yet.
Unreasonable rot and paint pealing since 45k miles.

Other than these relatively minor things, it owes me nothing. It has been basically problem free the entire time I've owned it. It's still running and driving strong.

The 5.4l 3V issues are from poor maintenace, running low on oil and using the wrong oil(too heavy or conventional). They require syn blend. It is best to avoid buying used ones, unless some history is known. The Ford 4.6l 2v however, is considered one the best and long lasting engines. They can go past 400K. The only basic difference is the cam phasers and extra valve heads. Ford exhaust manifolds leak, from broken studs. It is a very expensive job.