Hi,

Last Saturday (12-2-06), I purchased an '04 F150 with 34,8xx miles. It's a standard-cab, short-bed, with a 5.4L. I noticed a knock on the passenger side at idle. Yesterday I took it into the dealer to have them listen to it and the guy knew exactly what I was talking about. He called the mechanic out to look at the truck who has the most experience with this issue to have a listen. He said that he's done about 15 of these himself. Apparently, the Variable Cam Timing (VCT), phaser may be the cause of the knock. They have ordered the parts and I will take it in next week for the repair/service.

While we have owned several Fords over the years this is my first F150. The '93 Ranger we had finally died with about 198,xxx miles on it, and only then after being rear-ended for the 3rd time by a bigger Ford. My wife is driving an '00 Explorer Sport that just hit 100k recently. If past experience is any indication (and I hope it is), I expect that our F150 will be a fine truck for many years to come.

Anon E. Mouse

 

Make sure you use the Ford Recommended oil AND the CORRECT viscosity.
That cam timing hardware does not like thicker viscosity oils.

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you should have came here before you bought an 04 you would have been advised to go up to an 05-06, 04 was the complete new truck and there are a few problems some resolved some not!!!LOL You may want them to change the plugs while you have it in there while they can still get them out without damaging the heads.

 

I have over 100K miles on my 01/04 lariat screw 4x4 and have only done oil changes and routine maint... and believe me with avg. 44K miles a year, I didn't change the oil every 3K miles, more like every 6K. Sorry for bad luck for some, but mine hasn't had any problems yet, however I still consider it new, so we will see how it runs once it gets a few miles on it. I own a construction company, so it is not babied. I have not washed it in about 3 weeks because it is too cold. It is a work truck and has already been written off as an expense so I am not looking to trade it in.... ever. It will be my truck for another year and then get a flatbed bolted on if need be and used as supply truck... so I am kind of tired of reading about 04s being bad trucks. Good luck with your 04, I am sure it will be fine.

 

I agree with ya skybox. I see just as many 05-06 trucks w/ REAL problems as with the 04s. This run of F-150 just has its own little quirks that people aren't used to (example - the "bed shaking" when going over bumps). I beat the hell outta my '04 and it just keeps coming back for more.

my humble $.02

 

Mine is an early production (9/03) and other than the differential problem they had since 97, it has done well. I also bought one of the first built Escapes (Oct 00) and it has been fine in almost 97,000 miles (one relay at 60+K)

 

My '04 just turned 70,000 miles and it still runs great. been using full synthetic since it had 3,000 miles. I change the oil twice a year or approx. 10,000 miles. Once, i did go as long as 20,000 miles but only with oil-analysis. it is starting to burn oil now, about a half a quart per 10,000 miles - not bad.

I've had 2 problems: ring and pinion whine - which went away when i changed gears and a leaking front locking hub.

 

20k on an oil change? Not bright....

 

Once, i did go as long as 20,000 miles but only with oil-analysis. it is starting to burn oil now, about a half a quart per 10,000 miles - not bad.
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I bet if you used motorcraft 5w20 oil at 5,000 mile intervals you wouldn't be burning any oil at 70k. Thats my thoughts anyways. I am sure your 2004 will be fine.

 

Thanks guys. I'm sure it will be a fine truck for us. The engine knock will be taken care of under warranty.

There's a vibration in the rear-end at about 55-60 that they'll look into at that time. Feels like a tire bouncing and one side of the bed appears to bounce with it. Shock or tire maybe.

I did also note some sort of shaking in the rear-end as I go over certain bumps as swan79 noted as well. Bed shaking? Odd. I've never heard of that.

Anon

 

I have an 04 with 41K miles and have not had any issues! The cam phaser was also a problem on the 05's.

Vibration per TSBs is due to tire problems, or drive shaft and/or pinion alignment.

 

Yes, I've read those. The mechanic will investigate the vibration when he does the VCT.

Thanks!

Anon

 

I've read about the VCT phasor issue on the 5.4L trucks. Just so you all know, the VCT phasors are locked out until the engine get to normal operating temperature. So if your having a VCT phasor knock issue...you shouldn't hear the noise until the engine gets to normal operating temp.
Some light valve noise is normal on the 5.4L.

 

The VCT phasors were slightly redesigned in 2005 to prevent this issue.
The 5.4L 3V engine is a great engine MOST have no issues at all. It made Ward's Top Ten Engines List in 2006.

 

It made Ward's Top Ten Engines List in 2006.
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LOL tell that to the envious chevy guys... they get mad at you hehehehe