5.4 E350 Extended Van
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 234
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From: Saskatchewan
5.4 E350 Extended Van
I recently bought a 2000 van with 125K to replace my 89 E150 that was getting a little tired and plenty rusted.
The 5.4 has a lot more giddy-up go than my old 5.0 had, but: I think I may have to put it on a 12 step program for its drinking problem!!! Even if I drive like a little old granny, the mileage is still brutal.
Is this normal for this particular beast or is there an easy cure for this?
I'm getting about 10 m.p.g.
The 5.4 has a lot more giddy-up go than my old 5.0 had, but: I think I may have to put it on a 12 step program for its drinking problem!!! Even if I drive like a little old granny, the mileage is still brutal.
Is this normal for this particular beast or is there an easy cure for this?
I'm getting about 10 m.p.g.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Long Island
5.4 E350 Extended Van
nymo,
Do you know if the 100,000 mile tune-up and maintanence was done? If not:
1) New wires (Motocraft) and plugs (Motocraft or Autolite double plats)
2) new O2 sensors ( the 2 closest to the engine)
3) New coil packs. Replace ALL 8. Expensive but, hey, 125,000 miles THEY ARE TIRED.
4) New air filter, PCV and check EGR system for carbon build-up.
5) Clean the MAF sensor.
If you read gkbid's post "sounds like a diesel @ start-up" you will see his 5.4 Expy with over 100K miles went from 10.5 to 15.4 MPG after changing plugs, wires. coil packs and EGR. Let us know your results.
Good Luck,
Bill
Do you know if the 100,000 mile tune-up and maintanence was done? If not:
1) New wires (Motocraft) and plugs (Motocraft or Autolite double plats)
2) new O2 sensors ( the 2 closest to the engine)
3) New coil packs. Replace ALL 8. Expensive but, hey, 125,000 miles THEY ARE TIRED.
4) New air filter, PCV and check EGR system for carbon build-up.
5) Clean the MAF sensor.
If you read gkbid's post "sounds like a diesel @ start-up" you will see his 5.4 Expy with over 100K miles went from 10.5 to 15.4 MPG after changing plugs, wires. coil packs and EGR. Let us know your results.
Good Luck,
Bill
Last edited by wmcnally; Sep 8, 2003 at 08:11 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Long Island
5.4 E350 Extended Van
nymo,
I assume your truck is running normally and you have no "CEL" since you did not mention it. Since you only have 75K miles on it I'd say the same advice applies but in this order:
1)Clean the MAFs. Replace PCV, air filter and remove and inspect EGR for carbon build-up on the valve and the tube. Reset the PCM and drive normally for a tankful or two. Check your MPG.
2) If not happy, replace plugs and wires.
3) Still not happy replace O2 sensors.
4) Replace coils
Again, Good Luck,
Bill
I assume your truck is running normally and you have no "CEL" since you did not mention it. Since you only have 75K miles on it I'd say the same advice applies but in this order:
1)Clean the MAFs. Replace PCV, air filter and remove and inspect EGR for carbon build-up on the valve and the tube. Reset the PCM and drive normally for a tankful or two. Check your MPG.
2) If not happy, replace plugs and wires.
3) Still not happy replace O2 sensors.
4) Replace coils
Again, Good Luck,
Bill
Last edited by wmcnally; Sep 8, 2003 at 11:07 PM.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Saskatchewan
5.4 E350 Extended Van
Went to dealer and found that plugs were changed about 12K ago.
1) Any opinions on using methanol gas?
2) Is there a website for servicing and engine parts layout?
1) Any opinions on using methanol gas?
2) Is there a website for servicing and engine parts layout?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Long Island
5.4 E350 Extended Van
nymo,
At 12K your plugs should be good. Did you check that ALL the plugs were replaced? I've heard that some techs who have trouble with a tough plug or two may leave the old one(s)in the engine. Were the wires changed?
Did you.....Clean the MAFs. Replace PCV, air filter and remove and inspect EGR for carbon build-up on the valve and the tube. Reset the PCM and drive normally for a tankful or two. Check your MPG?
Did you.....replace O2 sensors?
Did you.... Replace coils?
Methanol?. Now your really opening a can of worms. I'm not an expert but I will state a fact and let you draw your own conclusions. Methanol has less energy per unit volume (call it ounces, gallons or ml or litres) than gasoline.
I don't know a website with engine layout etc. Go to e-bay. It has Ford CD's for sale.
At 12K your plugs should be good. Did you check that ALL the plugs were replaced? I've heard that some techs who have trouble with a tough plug or two may leave the old one(s)in the engine. Were the wires changed?
Did you.....Clean the MAFs. Replace PCV, air filter and remove and inspect EGR for carbon build-up on the valve and the tube. Reset the PCM and drive normally for a tankful or two. Check your MPG?
Did you.....replace O2 sensors?
Did you.... Replace coils?
Methanol?. Now your really opening a can of worms. I'm not an expert but I will state a fact and let you draw your own conclusions. Methanol has less energy per unit volume (call it ounces, gallons or ml or litres) than gasoline.
I don't know a website with engine layout etc. Go to e-bay. It has Ford CD's for sale.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Saskatchewan
5.4 E350 Extended Van
I'm sorry, that should have been ethanol gas. The service station I usually use has ethanol blended with the gas.
I installed a K&N air filter last week, seems to have helped (maybe wishful thinking) but haven't refilled tank yet to check mileage.
What are MAF's? and the PCM?
I'm technically challenged and also drive a GMC truck on the week-ends; so please keep it simple and detailed.
Thanks,
Fred
I installed a K&N air filter last week, seems to have helped (maybe wishful thinking) but haven't refilled tank yet to check mileage.
What are MAF's? and the PCM?
I'm technically challenged and also drive a GMC truck on the week-ends; so please keep it simple and detailed.
Thanks,
Fred
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Long Island
5.4 E350 Extended Van
nymo,
My bad on the methanol/ethanol thing. The one carbon Methanol will melt your engine if you use it for fuel. I wrote "methanol" but was thinking "ethanol". Ethanol blended fuels have less energy per gallon than straight gasoline. No two ways about it. It may burn cleaner but you have to burn more of it per mile. So what's the point? For example : it burns 8% "cleaner" but you get 10% less MPG. Seems to me your making 2% MORE POLLUTION and paying through the nose for the privledge!
What are MAF's? and the PCM?
The MAF is the (M)*** (A)ir (F)low (s)ensor, It must be kept clean to properly meter the air entering your engine. The PCM or (P)ower(T)rain (C)ontrol (M)odule uses this info and that from other sensors to control air fuel ratio, spark timing etc.
Suffice it to say, if you MAFs is dirty your engine will run "lean" (too much air, not enough fuel". This is not good for your engine or your wallet!
My bad on the methanol/ethanol thing. The one carbon Methanol will melt your engine if you use it for fuel. I wrote "methanol" but was thinking "ethanol". Ethanol blended fuels have less energy per gallon than straight gasoline. No two ways about it. It may burn cleaner but you have to burn more of it per mile. So what's the point? For example : it burns 8% "cleaner" but you get 10% less MPG. Seems to me your making 2% MORE POLLUTION and paying through the nose for the privledge!
What are MAF's? and the PCM?
The MAF is the (M)*** (A)ir (F)low (s)ensor, It must be kept clean to properly meter the air entering your engine. The PCM or (P)ower(T)rain (C)ontrol (M)odule uses this info and that from other sensors to control air fuel ratio, spark timing etc.
Suffice it to say, if you MAFs is dirty your engine will run "lean" (too much air, not enough fuel". This is not good for your engine or your wallet!
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