Ok a couple about a month ago I bought (for not much money) my work's old delivery truck an 05 F250 5.4L 3V w/145k miles on it. I knew they were having problems with it but didn't know the extent the truck's issues. After purchasing the truck I started reading tons of posts (almost exploded my brain) about the 5.4L 3V and it's different problems they have... I soon realized the 5.4 3V engine had some serious issues! Stuff like sludge build up by not using Motorcraft oil filters, cam phaser issues, timing chain guides & tensioner, plugs issues and so on.

Where I'm at right now is the truck ran like total crap until I did two flushes with the oil. Yes the motor had sludged pretty bad but after 3rd oil change with new filters (Motorcraft) all with in a 500 miles... she fairly clean for 145K. I did notice an improvement in the motor performance. But even after flushing the motor I still get a start up rattle but quit down with very little to no knocking noise until warmed up. Once the motor warms the truck does have a idle miss with a knock noise like a diesel. But unlike others I have read... my motor still seems to have good power and drives fine even at highway speeds with still good power.

The other thing I have noticed is on the top of my oil fill cap is whitish gunk from water in the crank case. I live in Cleveland, OH (I know that's bad enough haha) but the weather here at this time is prone for condensation issues like that.... but how do I know it's that and not a head leak????

What I'm trying to figure out, is if in fact my motor is worth fixing by new timing chains, guides & tensioner kit along with cam phasers or better to dump a reman long block in the truck instead???

The few Ford dealership guys I talked to said the motor is most likely "scrap and not worth fixing"... seems a bit extreme but I'm open to other guys experiences and thoughts!

Thanks Jeff

 

The start up rattle is pretty normal.. My family has 5 5.4s and 4.6s and they all have it.. It is when It continues to rattle you have a problem. My 5.4 has 300000 miles and it rattles for about 5 minutes but quiets after that. I'm sure something is wrong but it still runs like brand new and with that amount of miles I'm gonna drive it till it dies and replace the motor after that because the interior, body, and frame are in great shape and rust free.

 

Let me ask you with that kind of high mileage what brand and type of oil do you run? I'v read a bunch of posts of guys which from 5w-20 to thicker oil once they hit over 100k. I guess it helps keep the oil pressure up and help the cam phaser noise too. Have you tried anything like that?

Thanks Jeff

 

Nah... I've ran 5w 20 motorcraft blend with a motorcraft filter since I've owned it.

 

I have a 2004 2v. It is the best year for the 5.4 Imo. No spark plug problems and no cam phasers

 

They say to run the thicker oil on the 3V not on our 2V

 

Yeah the 3V 5.4's are different animals then the 2V ones. From my understanding if the cam phasers don't get enough oil pressure they don't adjust the timing correctly. I don't understand why the 3v motors have poor oil pressure issues but I think it's caused by two things. First people run junk oil filters that breakdown and clog oil vains in the block. Secondly from my understanding the timing chain tensioner has a gasket that blows out and oil pumps out to fast there to let oil correctly feed the upper valve train. So with out the phasers getting proper oil pressure they work out of time of the motor.

What guys have had some luck with is to flush the sludge out of the motor. This takes a few thousand miles with couple oil changes. Then the guys have run thicker oil to keep the oil pressure by not having it blow past the bad gasket on the chain tensioner. I guess the hope is, the cam phasers would get more oil pressure so they start to work like they should.

Now has anybody found this to be true???

Thanks again, Jeff

 

Sounds like your issues are all caused by poor maintenance. That isn't the fault of the engine.

I have 95k on my 5.4L 3v engine, no knocks, misses, cam phasor issues or any other issues. Just replaced the spark plugs (4 broke) and a cracked passenger side exhaust manifold, otherwise the engine has been great.

 

No. There's no reason to use anything thicker than 5W-20.

 

That's good to know. I'm looking at a low mileage 2004 5.4. Was wondering about the spark plugs in the 2V.

How is the 2V 4spd auto for towing vs the 5.4 3V 5spd auto?

 

We have a 03 2v with 4 spd auto and 3.73 rear here at work. 65,000 miles. We run up to 1,800 lbs on the roof rack all day long with no problems. Truck is pretty stout. Pulling a trailer it is a straight dog. Even with our 25' gooseneck empty, it blows trans fluid out of the front main....enough to see nothing out of the mirrors but white smoke. With no trailer, it doesn't leak a drop.

now my 03 2v infront of my 6 speed is fantastic. Tows great for a gas burner

 

My 05 has 139k on it. Used nothing but 5W-20 Mobil 1 since new. Also have used Fram oil filers since day 1. Yup have the tick here and there. But power has always been good. Due for another plug change. Waiting on new boots to arrive. Haven't had any issues with the exhaust manifolds either. Been a really good and solid truck. Been really happy with my first Ford. If I ever buy another one. I will shop Ford first. Best of luck in your fixes.

 

I always use motorcraft filters, they seem to work well. There has been some bad press about Fram filters.
http://hillerford.com/resource_libra...aftcompare.pdf

 

Do you feel the 6 spd stick offers better ratios for everyday use and towing?

 

I have a 5 speed manual in my truck and an auto in my expy and I prefer the manual. The low first gear makes a huge difference on hills or just getting the load rolling.