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How long does the 4.6 live?

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Old Oct 17, 2005 | 12:27 AM
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How long does the 4.6 live?

Look to buy a 98 f250 4x4 with the 4.6 motor. It has 134,000 miles on it now. I was told it had the oil change every 3000 miles. What are the 4.6 good for?
Thanks for your help!
 
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Old Oct 17, 2005 | 02:53 AM
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try a search but most are good for 250k to 300k. the tranny will go before the engine does.
 
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Old Oct 17, 2005 | 05:56 AM
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...Welcome rico6161, to Ford Truck Enthusiasts!
Stick around someone will be by shortly to answer your question.
We are happy you have chosen the best source for Fords!

Enjoy FTE....and
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Old Oct 18, 2005 | 10:05 AM
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Nobody can say for sure, particularly without knowing this motor's complete history, but I would expect 200,000 to 250,000 miles is a good bet. 300,000 is quite likely if you're willing to do a valve job. As others have said, something else will usually go first and make the vehicle not worth the cost of repair.
 

Last edited by MrBSS; Oct 18, 2005 at 10:10 AM.
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Old Oct 22, 2005 | 07:37 PM
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I have 200k on my 4.6. I have ran the heck out of it and she still going good.
 

Last edited by LxMan1; Oct 22, 2005 at 09:09 PM. Reason: language not family oriented
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Old Oct 23, 2005 | 08:26 PM
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4.6 never dies

Believe it or not, but we were told about a guy who bought a 1997 F-150 4.6L brand new, and drove it every day working for an oil company. He did lots of highway miles and serviced it regularly. When it started getting high mileage, he decided to keep it and see how long it would last. Well, the truck ended up with 728,000 kms or 452,000 miles and it finally was so wore that it would not start anymore - no compression left. Needless to say, the last few thousand miles it was tired and ready to die.
 
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Old Oct 23, 2005 | 10:25 PM
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Thank you for "ALL" your help
 
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Old Oct 23, 2005 | 11:34 PM
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The engine probably has at least 100K left in it. The rest of the truck is what I'd be concerned with.

Mike
 
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Old Oct 24, 2005 | 12:36 AM
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Originally Posted by rico6161
Look to buy a 98 f250 4x4 with the 4.6 motor.
I'm just going to assume you made a typo and meant to say F150 instead. As far as I know, there are no 1998 F250s or F350s since the 99s came out so early.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2005 | 01:00 AM
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There were some early F250's in F150 clothing. They later changed them to the 7700 package. They had 7 lug wheels and a heavier suspension.
I have seen several Lincoln Mark VIII's with the 4.6L DOHC engines will over 190,000 miles on them and still run really strong.
With proper maintenance, they can easily go 200,000 to 300,000 miles.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2005 | 08:40 PM
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I put 150,000 on my 95 Crown Vic before I sold it. It didn't use any oil & ran as good as new.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2005 | 05:27 AM
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We have 197,000 miles on our 98 F150. Runs really good. Changed the oil every 3,000. Used Castrol 10W30 w/ a Fram filter. Just cleaned out the EGR valve and air intake plugged up with carbon. Runs better now. Only had one side catalytic converter replaced. All in all, this truck should get 300,000 before seriously considering scraping it.
 
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Old Nov 9, 2005 | 08:11 AM
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Good Truck

I have 165,983 miles on my 97 4.6 F150 Lariat. I have not done any modifications or aftermarket mods to the engine or exhaust and the only thing I have done is regular maintenance and replaced a powersteering hose and the U-joints 1 time..

I have been more than happy with the truck. The only complaint is the lack of horsepower which I do not mind since I get decent gas mileage for a truck. I have been contemplating adding a K&N FIPK intake kit which has been in the back of my mind the last few years.. Other than that I have nothing but praise for the truck itself and the 4.6 and the longevity of the truck and motor itself..
 
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Old Nov 17, 2005 | 02:08 PM
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our 98 expy has 142k. Oil changes every 3-3500k. Now burns about a quart every 1500 miles. I changed plugs at 100k, IAC at about 90k. Drain tranny and converter every 30k. I did change the filter at 120k, but it looked brand new. The pan did have some tranny crud in it, the magnet grabbed it.

I agree, the tranny should go first. I'll do one tranny re-build. I expect at least 250k out of the engine

No other mechanicals....some audio issues.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2005 | 10:36 PM
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156,000 Miles

I have 156,000 miles on my 98 4.6 F-150 and it still runs like new. Regular routine maintenance will keep these engines running into and beyond 200,000 miles. I plan to find out just how far it will go.
 
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