2013 Expedition with 130,000 miles engine locked up

While returning from vacation (850 mile one way road trip) my expedition stalled at a red light about 3 miles from home. No issues while driving, no warning lights came on, oil pressure was good as well as the temperature gauge. When I pushed on the gas it sputtered and engine shut off completely. The lights, radio, and air were all still working. While trying to restart all I received was a clicking noise (similar to when a starter goes) and it never started again. This is a vehicle that gets oil changes, fluid changes, filter changes, etc as scheduled in the owner's manual by the local Ford dealer. We tested the battery, alternator, & starter (all good). Changed both Cam shaft sensors just in case, looked for any frayed wires, checked fuses and relays (all good) and the only thing that happens is the clicking noise when trying to start it.
We had it towed to the Ford dealer that services the vehicle and they are telling us the engine is locked up. I am having a hard time believing because there have been absolutely no warning lights, no rough starts, no other issues at all to indicate an engine going out. I have tried to research if there have been any issues with the 5.4L 3V Engine and could find nothing until the mileage was close or over 200,000. Has anyone heard of or had the same issue? I am wondering if the dealer is not being truthful with me, if the tech couldn't figure it out and it is actually something else wrong. I do not want to replace with the same engine ($4800 + labor) if it is only going to last 130,000 miles. I have always owned Fords and have never had one that the engine didn't make it to at least 300,000 miles. Any help would be appreciated.

Grab an 18 mm socket and turn the engine over yourself via the crank pulley.....it will get hard on compression and then leave it for a second and it should spin again. See if it spins. Sounds like they are bullshitters. Most dealers are.

Amanda, I feel your pain. Was it making any bad ticking noises for the past weeks? One of the few things that locks up these engines is a cam follower seizing and falling out of place. They usually have a metallic ticking for a few months or weeks before they drop a valve into a cylinder. When the do, all hell breaks loose and you would have heard something very wrong.

I'm with Mr. JExpedition above. I think the dealer's looking for work.

Just because it "locked up" doesn't mean it's anything major, a jammed starter gear will lock it up. Tear into it a bit.

Similar incident happened to me on my '03 at around 290k. The rear hose for the washer fluid cracked and leaked on my fuse box frying it. Fast clicking with no start.
Regarding your issue, I'd take it to a trusted independent mechanic. The dealer previously tried telling me I needed a new radiator when all I needed was a $20 thermostat.

Thank you, We are having it towed home now to check a few more things out before we fork over money for a new engine. I never dreamed it would be the engine locking up so we didn't even try to turn it before sending to the dealer. We thought it had to be some electric issue that they would be able to diagnose with a computer. Trying to turn the engine our-self will be one of the first things we try.

There weren't any noises prior to it stalling and definitely no hell breaking loose, that is why we are having a hard time believing it is the engine.

I really appreciate the help! I will update when we test out a few more things.

Amanda E Goins said:

Thank you, We are having it towed home now to check a few more things out before we fork over money for a new engine. I never dreamed it would be the engine locking up so we didn't even try to turn it before sending to the dealer. We thought it had to be some electric issue that they would be able to diagnose with a computer. Trying to turn the engine our-self will be one of the first things we try.

There weren't any noises prior to it stalling and definitely no hell breaking loose, that is why we are having a hard time believing it is the engine.

I really appreciate the help! I will update when we test out a few more things.

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Could be something simple or not even locked up.

In my younger days ... something like that (or exactly that) was determined to be no oil.
What does the dipstick say, plenty of oil?

MrSticker said:

In my younger days ... something like that (or exactly that) was determined to be no oil.
What does the dipstick say, plenty of oil?

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Yes also check for metallic sparkles in the oil on the dipstick and or coolant if it’s somehow liquid locked.

+1 on checking the oil dipstick and taking it to an independent shop. Most dealership techs will just follow the flow chart and throw parts at the problem. There have been more than a few posts here about trucks that the dealer condemned (blown trans, engine, etc.) that were fully repaired for a couple hundred bucks by a competent mechanic.