I bought my 1999 5.4 brand new. At about 49,999 miles the right head gasket started to spew oil. Fixed under warranty just barely! 144,000 miles, same head gasket leaks, this time costs me $1,600 to have fixed with the Ford guy hinting this has been a problem and the new TRIPLE SEAL gasket they have will solve the problem. Question: Does Ford know about this and has anyone on this board had this problem? Other than that, will be tackling a rear brake job this weekend with 161,000 miles on the truck

 

Sounds like the tech's know about it. Ford may know but probably learned after they started coming back. If you got that kind of mileage and that is your only problem, consider yourself lucky. At 160,000 you should be looking for a new motor, not just a head gasket. I mean, they don't live forever.

 

Hi wrongwrench and welcome to FTE
The 5.4's weren't as bad for head gaskets as the 4.6's but still had some problems. Yes Ford knows about the problem.
The new MLS (multi layer steel) gaskets do seem better but the block and head surfaces have to be spotlessly clean and straight and smooth or they wont seal properly.
Ford also upped the warranty time to replace the gaskets. They now say that the engine has to be pulled to do it properly to avoid scratching the aluminum head etc. Some guys still do them in place, some of us remove the whole cab and front end off the truck and do it that way.

 

Stepman: If I can get 200,000 miles out of this engine, I will be very happy. I guess I was trying to be cheap and see if Ford was giving rebate checks on the next purchase due to this problem? I love the truck and also bought a Aerostar that now has 104,000 miles. The wife and I like no car payments now, however, we are going to have to bite the bullet sooner or later.

I hope this motor goes the distance?

 

I nkow how you feel on the payment thing. if your only loosing a gasket the motor should last long past 200. I would've just changed the gasket and rolled on but sometimes I forget about the guys not turning their own wrenches that are at the mercy of the dealers.