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

[762mm]

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]

Year: 2012

Mileage: 146k

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

 

[JExpedition07]

Previous 2007 XLT 180,000 miles

Issues: None

2007 EL Eddie Bauer 150,000 miles

Issues: None, occasional startup rattle annoyance.

 

[sjwelds]

2008 Eddie Bauer

180,000

Ticking at startup kinda.

Other ticks and rattles but nothing obnoxious. IMO the 5.4 issues are overblown online.

 

[Jamo]

2014 EL Limited

86,000 miles

No issues, no noises...

 

[Gary Waugh]

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..

 

[Ron1978]

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

 

[inmanlanier]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Tocapet]

Mine is not the blend door. It's the mode door just above the gas pedal. I took the actuator motor out day before yesterday. It seems like the door itself is blocked. I can move it by hand, but only about 15 degrees. I watched a video on Youtube from a guy that replaced his actuator and he could move the door lever almost all the way around. So I hesitate to buy the actuator until I can figure out what else is wrong. I took the actuator apart and some of the teeth on the gear wheel are stripped off. To get to the rest of it requires taking the console out and most of the dash. Not fun, and expensive if I take it somewhere. Might just have to live with it. I'm the 3rd owner of mine. It was a fleet/lease before and then the guy before me bought it. I got it from him and have had it 5 years. It still runs like a striped ape!

 

[Texas Dave]

Year: 2007 XLT

Mileage: 227,000 +

Problems noticed:

I am a full-time RV traveler towing a 31' vintage 1971 Airstream.

1) Small amount of lift gate paint bubbling

2) Blend door actuator fail

3) Coils and plugs replaced

4) Fuel pump died at 226,000 miles

Love my Expedition. People are shocked when I tell them its 12 years old with 227,000 miles.

 

[WEDGE]

2010 XLT 4X4
86K MILES

Bought it with 77K miles. Had to change leaky, pounded out front struts. Went Bilstein. Rear pinion seal was leaking, front sway bar bushings, changed those. 3 out of four axle seals are leaking a little bit, power steering hose is leaking. Leaky bulkhead connector on the transmission (6R80) Couple minor spots of paint corrosion on the tail gate. 1-2 seconds of rattle on start up.

Overall I'm very happy with it, it's pulled all trailers I've wanted it to. It's excellent on road trips, tons of power for passing (I'm used to driving 4.0L Jeeps). Only complaint I have is the interior is a tan colored cloth. Gets dirty easily with kids/dogs. If I had to do it all again, I would have went with an EL/MAX for the extra room

 

[kyleaaronburkett]

Year: 2007 EL RWD

Mileage: 166,000

Problems noticed:

No engine problems!

1) fuel pump needed replacement at 135k from a cracked plastic piece

2) radiator replacement needed at 160k also crack in plastic

3) a/c condenser replaced, was leaking power steering fluid- replaced at same time as radiator at 160k

I also tow a travel trailer full time. (I've also made a lot of little non-critical repairs like the blend door actuator, window regulator, and head unit).

 

[WEDGE]

Kyle Aaron, looks like that pic was taken up on highway 93 heading to canmore area. I live somewhat close to there, in Kimberley BC

 

[Trainmaster]

Year: 2008

Mileage: 104,000

Replaced rear blend door actuator

Replaced heater hose with tee.

No other problems; runs great. The shocks suck.

 

[FisherPete]

2009 XLT 244,000 miles
2012 Limited 124,000 miles

No problems.

 

[Blksmk]

07 el xtl 277k kms 174k miles

Bought 3 months ago for 2400 cdn
4x4 needs a new actuator
Exhaust leak - stock manifold is cracked
New brakes - ordered this weekend
New tires ordered today

I only drive it every 14 to 21 days mostly highway

So far hand calculated 22.75 mpg @ 62 mph

 

[Dr0idattack]

2013 Limited HD Tow
96,000ish
Bought 40,000ish

Replaced heated/cooled seats plugin to the controller because it’s ground burned out (common problem I’ve read)
Drivers side seat controls panel snaps broke (have it wire tied up)
Shift servo or something on the tranny recently replaced due to recall
Has a random clunk underneath (related to drive shaft bushing or something?)
A little paint bubbling on the lift gate
Powered step boards sensor flakes out for awhile on the passenger side front but then all of a sudden cleared up
Battery replaced
Stock tires replaced with Falken Wildpeaks
Replaced shocks/struts with Bilstein 4600s
Replaced several lug nuts after messing them up taking off the tires (btw, those crome-ish capped lug nuts are junk and stupid, learned to use the metric socket not the “equivalent” standard)
Sumo springs spring inserts on the back

My wife mainly drives it now and I drive her Mazda CX-9 because she loves the cargo space and seating space of the Expy, lol.

 

[max78]

2009 EL

Bought at 160k, now at 175k.

Heater hose T leaked and was replaced with a brass fitting.

Blown tensioner at around 173k so I replaced all timing components.

Shocks are shot, trying to figure out what to go with.

Ac compressor is noisy, but still working great.

Bubbling paint on the rear hatch.

It's been a super great vehicle and by far our favorite of any we have had!