<HR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #d1d1e1; COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1> <!-- / icon and title -->I have a 2004 F-150 Lariat with a 5.4. (FYI-Have not had clockspring recall fixed yet)

124K miles. Vehicle has been operated in AZ and TX only until coming to Minot, ND 6 weeks ago.

3 days ago I got an "Engine Failsafe Mode" on startup. I shut the vehicle off immediately. Started it up again and the "Engine Failsafe Mode" message disappeared, but the engine light came on and has stayed on for the last 3 days. It seems to be running ok, maybe a little rough.

I ran the reset info on the dash screen and all systems read out OK. I have not run the truck over 40 mph since, and not on the highway, but it seems to accelerate without a lot of hesitation.

I've seen in other forums that this might be a dirty or faulty throttle body and/or the dealer may be able to re-flash with updates but this is old 2004 info from newer owners back then.

What am I looking at from a time/price angle when going to the Dealer for service? I don't want to replace a throttle body if it just needs to be cleaned and re-flashed because I'm ignorant.

Anything I should watch out for? I'm not a competent mechanic!

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Would be helpful if you could hit up an Advance Auto or Auto Zone and get the codes read off for you. As it is there could be numerous things going on but can't say what to watch for without some codes.

Since you have 124k will assume you have changed out plugs but what about COP's?

 

Don't have those stores here in Minot, ND. New to area so NAPA & O'reilly's. Will check to see if they can do plug in and will report findings.

Thanks, talk to you soon!

 

OK Napa should be able to re4ad the codes for you. They should also be able to reset the CEL if the codes reveal it was just a fluke and nothing is wrong.

 

O reilly's did a scan - nuthin, zilch, no codes. He suggested a tune up, plugs, etc. That, I have not done in a while.

Mechanic will put on the big scanner Monday to further diagnose. Told me that the 3 valve Triton 5.4 is notorious for plugs breaking - an extra hr. per cylinder each broken plug @ $85 per hr. Joyful news.

Maybe I'll get lucky?

 

Yeah the plugs could break but its not the end of the world. I would almost suggest doing it yourself because a mechanic will almost always break them just because they don't take their time. But if you want to increase the chances of them not breaking run some upper cylinder lube or sea foam through the fuel system this weekend. Also on Sunday night go out and pull cop's off and spray some penetrating oil on each plug and leave it for the night. This will at least allow the threads to get cleaned up some.


Also make sure the guy uses anti seize on the new plugs to help prevent this again.

 

Thanks!

This sae foam and upper cylinder stuff is available at Oreilly's?, and I just pour it in the tank? I can do the oil on the plugs no prob.

I think they're just scanning/diagnosing on Monday. Will be up to 10 days before they can do the tune up. Very overwhelmed in northwest ND right now because of the oil boom and flooding.

Will it hurt to apply the penetrating oil repeatedly while I'm waiting for the tune up appointment?

Thanks Again!

 

OK then do the upper cylinder lube a few times and maybe two or three on them plugs anything to try and get them prepped and save that additional charge of $85 an hour. I use Lucas cylinder lube/gas additive for the last few months and have been impressed with the results. I plan to continue to use it and in 25k replace my plugs hopefully without much trouble.

 

OK, will do. I'll post after the scan and then after tune up to let you know how many $85's I had to pay. Hopefully, a few rounds of the juices you pointed me at will help and you will have saved me big bucks! THANKS! in advance.

So you use the Lucas as a preventative to keep the plugs from binding up? Interesting strategy. Smart.

 

Well its both for that but it also keeps the rest of it running nice and smooth and I have seen an increase in the gas mileage since i started using it. I don't add it in at every fill up like they suggest but maybe about every third time to the pump I add it in. I can see the benefits of it but not enough to justify using it every tank full. Hope it all goes smoothly for you.

 

Yo Coskid!

Here we go (not done at a Ford dealership) -

CEL is On

Code: 2106

Dx: "Throttle body is the issue. Replace $478. There is an updated throttle body from Ford for the F-150's, not 250's or 350's. There is also a reprogram that is required for the PCM $80. But, but, Only Ford has that program update and can do the reprogram. Also recommend Induction Cleaning $125."

So they sent me packin' to make an appointment with the only Ford Dealer for miles around after an $80 charge to hook up for the scan.

What say you? Thanks in advance for your advice!