04 with 260k miles...........how far should i push my luck ?

[rocky]

Bought this thing new in 04 , been a stud and plan on keeping it ........still doesn't burn any oil and feels like it has just as much power as when new . I treated engine with SLICK 5O at 75k miles and again at 150k miles , trans is a different story .......serviced at 75k miles and that's it ......now she has 260k on her . The thing has had a easy life .....mostly freeway miles . little towing and well maintained , want to start towing a 4k lbs camper on trips out west . ,My concern is mainly with the transmission ..........how far should I push it before I get it rebuilt ? How many miles should I get out of a well maintained 4.6 ?
It came with oil cooler and hitch.........just wondering if I should do it now or squeeze another 100k out of it ? Is it still true that if you do as I have and don't get the trans serviced for over 100k then you should not get it serviced........the new oil cause seals and what not to leak or start slipping ? or was that ever true ?

thanks for any advice .............for the new guy

 

[Bedrck47]

Welcome to the Forum

 

[Bedrck47]

The 04 expy with the 4.6 engine is rated to tow 5000 lbs. gross trailer weight.
You say you are planning on towing a 4000 lb. trailer out west. Is that the dry or gross weight.
My personal opinion is with the 4.6 you will know its behind you especially when in come to any hills out west.

 

[ExplorerTom]

It has a transmission oil cooler- probably still too small. Upgrade that thing. I've seen 5.4 guys use the transmission cooler meant for the 6.0l 3/4 ton Ford trucks. That cooler is massive.

 

[Snag]

Rocky,
Am glad you have had luck with yours, many new posts haven't been so lucky. I would say maintenance is the key to success keeping these engines running forever, high end oil filters like the Motorcraft factory ones and high quality 5-30 oil. Keep a watch on the engine, listen for any noises, especially coming from the front or top of the engine and I would suspect you can get 400k out of her.

The 4.6 will be limited for pulling a 4000 trailer as bedrck indicated. Take it easy, don't over-rev the engine on grades and watch your gauges for overheating. You may want to consider putting a transmission temp gauge so you can monitor the transmission, heat is what kills them.

Changing the fluids and filter in the transmission is proper maintenance for keeping them alive. Some argue changing them killed their transmission. I maintained vehicles for 30+ years and never killed a vehicle by maintaining it. Normally the articles you read on oil change transmission failures were on transmission long overdue for changes and abused. There are theory's why the change killed them, not sure any proven reasoning.

As well if you haven't changed the running gear fluids, it needs done. The front end, transfer case and rear end or due. Check the manuals as fluids are specific.

You have arguably the best of the modular engines. Shortly after yours they started the 3v series, which were more problematic. Keep her maintained and I would suspect many more trouble free years.

Gary

 

[rocky]

Rocky,
Am glad you have had luck with yours, many new posts haven't been so lucky. I would say maintenance is the key to success keeping these engines running forever, high end oil filters like the Motorcraft factory ones and high quality 5-30 oil. Keep a watch on the engine, listen for any noises, especially coming from the front or top of the engine and I would suspect you can get 400k out of her.

The 4.6 will be limited for pulling a 4000 trailer as bedrck indicated. Take it easy, don't over-rev the engine on grades and watch your gauges for overheating. You may want to consider putting a transmission temp gauge so you can monitor the transmission, heat is what kills them.

Changing the fluids and filter in the transmission is proper maintenance for keeping them alive. Some argue changing them killed their transmission. I maintained vehicles for 30+ years and never killed a vehicle by maintaining it. Normally the articles you read on oil change transmission failures were on transmission long overdue for changes and abused. There are theory's why the change killed them, not sure any proven reasoning.

As well if you haven't changed the running gear fluids, it needs done. The front end, transfer case and rear end or due. Check the manuals as fluids are specific.

You have arguably the best of the modular engines. Shortly after yours they started the 3v series, which were more problematic. Keep her maintained and I would suspect many more trouble free years.

Gary

thanks for the advice and info , ours is 2 wheel drive .............when the 4.6 finally does get tired I wonder if I could swap up to the bigger engine ?

Larger cooler , trans temp gauge and be "extra nice" to her while towing........all good stuff....thanks guys .

 

[Snag]

You could swap to a bigger engine, but not worth the cost IMO. They are built on the same engine platform so will physically bolt right in, but things like air induction systems were different, and your computer would need modified and a few other things, and your transmission will be shot by then. By then you might be interested in buying another rig, maybe a 4x4 etc. I would recommend staying away from 05's up during their 3v years.
When the day comes, if you love the first genertions body style try to find a low mileage 2000-2004 with the 5.4.

Good luck
Gary

 

[1955moose]

Why didn't you keep up with transmission services? I'll bet oil changes were done every 3-5 thousand miles. I believe you have the 4r70w trans in your SUV. Your going to have to take a chance on the fluid change. I wouldn't have it flushed, as flushing might break loose crud in there. The newer 6 speeds had a 130 k change interval, yours is about 40k or so. Mercon v is a semi synthetic that should be in yours. Ford is actually recommending it for even the 4r100, which came with standard mercon. If you leave it in, you will have trans problems down the road. These kind of conundrums can be avoided with regular service. You've done well with the 4.6. We've had a bunch of failures lately with the 5.4 motors, some even the 2 valve.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ExplorerTom]

I don't think you can even buy Mercon anymore. I think it was made obsolete by Mercon V.

 

[1955moose]

No Tom mercon is still around, like r12 Freon, can always be found online if necessary. Problem is if unsure what's in there, you either purge out hoses at trans cooler, or flush like I did, kept fingers crossed, but I had only 70k showing on odo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JoeD]

I bought an 02 SuperCrew FX4 5.4 from an in-law with 130k on it, it towed a camper and a boat. All the routine maintenance was done except for the transmission. Yes it raised some concerns for me, I looked at the fluid ( the white paper towel method) and it was acceptable. I had a B&G flush performed (cleaner and flush) after having confidence in the truck overall. I put almost 70k on it, occasional towing, since then and the trans was still solid as well as the engine. Other issue have parked it, rust, exhaust etc.

Heat kills an automatic transmission, keep that in mind.

 

[1955moose]

You know I know doing a filter/ trans oil change is a pain in the ass, but that said once you do the initial change, and either change the pan completely or just drill, and install a piggy back drain plug, their self tapping by the way. You can easily drain and refill your trans fluid, up to 5-6 quarts, and leave the filter and small bit of sediment in there. It's way better than leaving fluid, and all the crud in there for 100,000 miles. You guys act like tranny fluid is Kryptonite! We had one forum member that did just that, fluid only every 25,000 or so. When he pulled his filter at over 100,000 miles, it was not clogged. So get in there and change that fluid every 25,000 to 80,000 depending on trans, 6 speed vs 4, and full synthetic vs regular. Unless your rich, and have a spare 3-5 grand, don't be lazy. Buy a big cement mixing pan at Home Depot, and a big wide funnel to transfer it to your Prestone jugs, or I like old big vegetable oil plastic jugs to transfer it to.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Clemson82]

Ya'll got me thinking about the transmission now. I have a 2014 with 52k and haven't done anything to the transmission. I don't see anything in the maintenance schedule about it. When does the fluid need to be changed?

 

[Doug Kuhlman]

There's a good write-up for a diy flush and fill in the forums. It was pretty easy. Amazon sells 5qt containers of mercon v with free shipping on amazon prime. https://www.amazon.com/Ford-XT-5-5Q...=UTF8&qid=1485878476&sr=8-1&keywords=mercon+v
Link to the write-up:
http://www.expeditionforum.com/thre...r-change-and-pan-drain-plug-kit-install.8199/

 

[1955moose]

Well if you talk to Ford, all they want to do is flush out the fluid at 130,000 miles. Apparently with synthetic fluid, they stretch it that far. Other forum members are doing the service themselves with filter change at about 75-90 thousand. Their are articles here, and online on procedure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lane87]

Would the same advice apply to my '03 Expy 5.4 with 200K miles? I too have never touched the tranny fluid.

 

[jaybee127]

My father-in-law has a 04 exp 5.4 with 263,000 miles on it. Puts a little over a hundred miles a day on it. He has only changed the oil in once in the last 2 years and not many more times before that. Uses about a quart of oil every 2000 miles. He puts whatever oil he has around the house in it 20w-50, 5w30, 15w40 diesel oil....hell there's no telling what the mix is it has in it. Still runs like a champ. Original engine ant trans. If i did my vehicle like that it wouldn't last 30 days.

 

[1955moose]

Oh yeah, why have you never changed it? Depending on if your running standard mercon or semi synthetic, it's every 30-50 k. Sooner if you tow, or do anything severe. Most shops only charge $100.00 plus fluid, not worth burning up a $3,000 trans. That's just bad math.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JoeD]

Ya'll got me thinking about the transmission now. I have a 2014 with 52k and haven't done anything to the transmission. I don't see anything in the maintenance schedule about it. When does the fluid need to be changed?

Not being familiar with the 14 model year, is there a dipstick? if so check it.
Right now at those miles, you should expect some darkening of the fluid but should be red. If its not somethings going on.

 

[JoeD]

Yes dropping the pan is a pain and a mess, but it gives you an idea whats is going on in there. You can have a look at the filter and the pan - there is most likely a magnet or 2 that is going to be covered in a greyish slime.

I like to use brake/parts cleaner, unless I have access to a parts washer, to prepare it for reassembly.

Note: This process will only "change" approx 1/3rd of the entire capacity of trans fluid.