2006 F150 5.4 3v with 138k. The truck died as I came up to a stop light a few weeks ago. Only did this once but idle seemed to be very low to me (602 in park, 527 in gear according to my Actro reader). Idle would fluctuate also. I read that cleaning throttle body and resetting PCM could help. I cleaned the throttle body, had a river of 'vanilla pudding' running down the throttle body. Is this normal? The idle quality is back to normal.
What does resetting the PCM do? Is this something that should be done often?

 

Is that oil residue perhaps from a K&N air filter someone got a bit too heavy handed applying the oil? I've been here quite a few years and have never seen such a thing. I'll follow this thread just to hear what this might be.

If your PCM didn't throw any codes I don't think "resetting" it would be helpful--could be wrong though. Also if idle has returned to normal that also indicates nothing more needs to be done. Well, past finding out what caused your vanilla pudding invasion.

 

Agree with JWA, If you have a oiled air filter it was probably done excess. You'll be wise to clean the MAF sensor too, well the whole plenum after the air filter.

 

That's more like combustion gasses mixed with oil vapor in the engine being sucked in through the breather hose into the air intake. Definitely one of the dirtiest I've seen. You should clean or replace your PCV too as it may be just as dirty.

 

I am pretty sure I don't get too crazy with my K&N oiling. The MAF sensor was cleaned not too long ago. I am thinking the searching idle may have been due to below freezing temps along with the very watery oily condensation/pudding causing icing issues. I will check the PVC as mentioned. I am thinking it is probably time to pull the valves covers for cleaning and valve train inspection.

 

 

What advantages are you going to get from cleaning the valve covers may I ask? I'm curious as to if I should do the same with my 5.4L

 

Mainly just to inspect. I have had lots of condensation/oil pudding that I can see in my oil fill cap and the throat there. I don't do short trips, my current commute is 15 miles each way. I would think that would be long enough to get things hot. I had some scary cam phaser noise last summer. I took the truck in to a local shop, they found very low oil pressure. They pulled the pan, I had a lot of sludge that was blocking the oil pick up. They cleaned that up, oil pressure came back, noise is gone. I think a lot of people may be replacing cam phaser assemblies when the main problem is low oil pressure. I have heard/seen thru YouTube that the best thing for this engine is a Melling oil pump. This guy sounds like he knows what he is talking about, good info

 

Well rd65, i just had a similar issue with my newly aquired '04 Lariat. Cleaning of the throttle body is a regular maintenance like changing fluids or filters. As lv2race mentions, checking and possibly replacing the PCV may be an option. Although, The 5.4 3v PCV is a screw in part that usually dont need replacing, but my thought is, if they produce the part then it may need replacing. If your idling has returned to normal and no hesitation upon throttling, then you should be all set to add more miles to her.
Yes, when Ford first produced these engines, they installed a low volume oil pump which starved the top end of sufficient lubrication. Regular maintenance like changing oil and filter (suggested to change viscosity to 5w30), cleaning combustion chamber and other regularly scheduled maintenance is imperative to keeping engines running as they should.