Hi, I am new to this forum. I really need advice. I am not a mechanic or I wouldnt be here asking.

Sorry this is long but cant be short and tell the whole story.

I have a 2004 F150 5.4L Supercab FX4 4x4, my favorite truck I ever owned. I bought it used with 38000 miles, it now has 150,000 miles and suddenly started running real bad. I got it to dealership they looked it over and said the oil had turned to sludge, they start asking me how often I have been changing the oil. I change the oil every 3000 to 4000 miles. A couple of times It almost went a little higher but I am really good about keeping oil changed. So they tell me I either need to replace the motor with a new one around $5,000 or salvage the truck. I felt they were trying to sell me a new truck so I told them I was taking it to someone else for another opinion.

I take it to a mechanic that has done quite a bit of work for me and he says he doesnt believe the sludge story. Asks if they took valve covers off, no they didnt. Says no way they could tell with out doing that which sounds good to me. He looks and says the oil looks fine to him and he thinks he can fix it no problem.

He looks it over and says the catalytic converters have failed. He replaces those (I didnt know there was more than one). Next he says the computer may be bad that controls timing. Before he replaces that he looks and now says the timing chain that controls the overhead cam "is just hanging there". So now he says (after $1000 including labor for new catalytic converters) that when the catalytic converts went bad, back pressure built up, and caused timing chain to go bad (he said more about the timing but i cant remember it all) and maybe a couple of valves are bent because they have hit a piston or pistons. He thinks from here he could keep finding more and more bad and thinks I am throwing money away by looking.

So now he says it probably a salvage. Says that the 2004 and later 3 valve 5.4 motor was a bad design and this happens frequently. Says unless I can get low mileage used motor to switch it out with that "I know" has been taken care of, the truck isnt worth repairing.

This is the first vehicle I ever drove, (limped) into the shop and towed home after writing a big check for repairs that didnt work.

So it this truck worth repairing? I just got it paid for, it's loaded and I love it, but I cant throw any more money at it unless it will be useable for a long time. If I have to replace thinking about replacing with F250 diesel because those motors are supposed to last a LOT LONGER. I dont pull huge loads but am pulling trailers, tractors, hauling 4 wheelers, lot of off road to go hunting and camping. I need a truck that will last a lot longer then 150000 miles.

I really am getting a lot of conflicting advice and dont know what to do, I cant do the work myself.

Thanks!

 

after a quick look on ebay
REMAN FORD 5.4 LITER 24 VALVE TRITON 3V ENGINE 2004-07 | eBay
i bet you can find better deals with more time but this is a reman long block with a warranty, i would say a grand in labor cost to swap over. ~$3300 + what you already have in the repair.

 

Thanks, I have been looking on ebay at rebuilts, but dont know if a rebuilt would have the life and value for the money.

Thanks for your input!!!

 

I'd say stick with your truck if there is NOTHING wrong with anything else in the truck. I came up with the same problem when I first got my truck...4k for a new frame/labor...(already had 2yrs paid on a 5yr loan) or get a new truck (new loan for another 5 years) when nothing was wrong with my truck. I hit it from underneath, nothing wrong with the body or Interior, so I kept the truck.

Remember bigger truck (F250) comes with higher maintenance bills... EX 7qt Oil Crankcase to 12-15qt Crankcase....

Good luck you in whatever route you choose!