Hey all,

I have a 2005 F250 with a 5.4 in it with 127K on it. Over the lest 3 years I have put two y pipes in it because the CATS keep going bad. first @ 88k and then again at 125k. I just started to experience a loss of power (like the engine is choking) when I start to accelerate. I have been to there is also a crank shaft imbalance.

Is it time for a new engine?

If so, I have a 2002 that has a 5.4 donor engine with 65k on it. Is this even a possibility?

Thanks,
Brian

 

On my 2006 F350 5.4l, I was having bad problems with the engine just coughing and stumbling when giving it the gas. Initial fix was strong ethanol clesner. Didn't last long. Ended up replacing all if the plugs, and use only ethanol free gas. Works fine now. Only about 65,000 miles on it; it's been mainly a second truck since 2010; used it pretty much just for plowing.

 

I thought all gas in the winter has Ethanol. How do you get gas without it?

 

Burning up catalytic converters that fast means you're dumping unburnt fuel into them. That would indicate a rich condition or an ignition issue.

Replacing the cat without trying to find the issue causing them to burn up shows pretty bad mechanical troubleshooting skills. Find a new mechanic.

 

In regards to your question about the engine. The 2005 5.4's got the 3v engines I believe and the 2004 and down were the 5.4 2v engines.

 

Station close by sells non-ethanol premium gas. Just look closely at the label on the pump - it should say if it's non-ethanol. I don't use the truck that much, so I just pay the higher price for premium. I also use it in my dmall engines (ie: weedeater).

There are local stations that sell non-ethanol 87 octane, but the closest one is about 15 miles away.

Just do a google search for non-ethanol gas in your zip code.