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

[RAYMOND ALAMO JR]

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).

 

[RAYMOND ALAMO JR]

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).

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.

 

[JExpedition07]

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.

 

[racer_dave]

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.

 

[coloskier]

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

 

[montcopo]

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.

 

[Denethor]

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

 

[Roger Phillips]

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.

 

[HawkX66]

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.

 

[rjdelp7]

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.

 

[04EddyExpy]

I know mine's a 2nd-gen, but it still has the 5.4L Triton, so...

2004 Eddie Bauer 2WD

Bought it in 9/2017 with 146,000 on it, now has 159,000. I have the oil changed every 3-4 months.

Issues:

I hear a slight ticking on the driver's side when accelerating. This is my first Ford, so does that indicate cam phasers? I have no idea.

Some bubbling on the liftgate -- this seems to be pretty common among the early aluminum body panels Ford started using. Thankfully it's not rust. Otherwise the body is in fantastic shape. Chips & scratches here & there but NO corrosion or peeling paint other than the liftgate.

 

[James Cain]

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!

Do you have a seperate post about this issue? Im curious to see what you find. I have multiple things clicking inside my dash on both driver and passenger side and dont want to just start buying parts until I’m sure of the issue.

 

[Bill Wade]

2006 Limited
202500 miles
Rear blend door actuator replaced
Brake pedal adjuster gear replaced
Factory Radio replaced.
No engine noises noted.

 

[Papaboo]

My 2014 Expedition Limited has 76,000 miles and not one problem! Use Amsoil Signature oil., change it once a year about 18,000 miles, doesn't use any oil or leak anything. Looks as good as it did when I first got behind the wheel.

 

[WEDGE]

I know mine's a 2nd-gen, but it still has the 5.4L Triton, so...

2004 Eddie Bauer 2WD

Bought it in 9/2017 with 146,000 on it, now has 159,000. I have the oil changed every 3-4 months.

Issues:

I hear a slight ticking on the driver's side when accelerating. This is my first Ford, so does that indicate cam phasers? I have no idea.

Some bubbling on the liftgate -- this seems to be pretty common among the early aluminum body panels Ford started using. Thankfully it's not rust. Otherwise the body is in fantastic shape. Chips & scratches here & there but NO corrosion or peeling paint other than the liftgate.

Your 2004 doesn't have phasers, it's a 2V 5.4

 

[04EddyExpy]

Your 2004 doesn't have phasers, it's a 2V 5.4

Wonder what the ticking sound is, then... I only hear it when the driver's window is open, or BARELY if I don't have the fan running. I've tried switching from 87 to 89 octane but it hasn't really changed.

 

[Blksmk]

Wonder what the ticking sound is, then... I only hear it when the driver's window is open, or BARELY if I don't have the fan running. I've tried switching from 87 to 89 octane but it hasn't really changed.

A very minor Exhaust leak ?

 

[Mud turtle]

2008 eddie bauer, 113,000 miles
ticking noise when running and faint gas smell thru vents.. Had plugs and coils replaced, no more ticking and gas smell is gone.