Engine life, need help!!
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Joined: Feb 2008
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Engine life, need help!!
I have a 97' F150 4.6 with 140,000 miles. im only 19 and i want it to last me for a few more years, ive replaced the air filter, PCV valve, Fuel filter, Spark plugs and i change the oil once a month. I drive about 15,000 miles a year and i just want to get the most out of my truck and i want to get the most life out of it, any advice is much appreciated.Thanks
-Hustler
-Hustler
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 12
From: arizona
I have 299600 miles on mine. Use castrol gtx exclusively. One thing I do to keep mine going is I remove all the "air flow" components right down to the top of the engine and "clean" all the carbon. Once every two years.
Also, I replace parts before they break.
I figure if I can get 150k miles on a fuel pump I've done good so I replace it before it goes bad, and I do that with EVERYTHING.
My truck has NEVER quit on me anywhere.
Oh yea, it's still going.
Also, I replace parts before they break.
I figure if I can get 150k miles on a fuel pump I've done good so I replace it before it goes bad, and I do that with EVERYTHING.
My truck has NEVER quit on me anywhere.
Oh yea, it's still going.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 651
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check out this thread...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...n-97-03-a.html
Oh and welcome to FTE!!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...n-97-03-a.html
Oh and welcome to FTE!!
Tuned
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 464
Likes: 1
From: Bismarck USA
If you do the fluid changes as recommended by Ford, you should be good for quite awhile. The tranny shifts best with 30k mile fluid changes.
As far as the engine goes, taxi's with that same engine go 400k miles without many issues, assuming good maintainance.
Keep an eye on the front end components like tie rods and ball joints. Those probably were already replaced at 140k miles. But you'll notice front end noise, sloppy steering, or wheel play if you jack up the tire.
As far as the engine goes, taxi's with that same engine go 400k miles without many issues, assuming good maintainance.
Keep an eye on the front end components like tie rods and ball joints. Those probably were already replaced at 140k miles. But you'll notice front end noise, sloppy steering, or wheel play if you jack up the tire.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 452
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I would say the same to you as everyone else. not to say that this was the cause of my problem but i changed the tranny oil at 100,000 miles and 4000 miles later i lost the transmision. they told me at ford not to do that as there is particles in the old oil that make it shift and work right with that many miles. so that how ever you want to. regular maintenance, and just checkin it out every now and then is the best life saver i know!
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 174
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From: Western Pennsylvania
4.6 Triton...100,500 miles, just bought the truck but after a tune up, the truck runs just as smooth as ever.....gas mileage sucks but these trucks are notorious for this.
It only took 500 miles for me to really like the truck...ball joints are really tight yet and there are no mechanical problems that I am aware of. I also own a 1993 mecury sable and the 3.0 engine has 160,000 miles on it and never no problems but normal wear and tear.
I love ford products...very reliable!!!
I don't think you have to many things to worry about....just keep up the regular maintenance...will give you many good years!!!
Good Truckin!!
Bob
It only took 500 miles for me to really like the truck...ball joints are really tight yet and there are no mechanical problems that I am aware of. I also own a 1993 mecury sable and the 3.0 engine has 160,000 miles on it and never no problems but normal wear and tear.
I love ford products...very reliable!!!
I don't think you have to many things to worry about....just keep up the regular maintenance...will give you many good years!!!
Good Truckin!!
Bob
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
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From: Louisville,Ky.
That 3.0 is a very good engine in that Sable. I have seen many 3.8L engines fail, but only 1 3.0. It still ran, just had a rod knocking. I had a 89 Aerostar years ago that had 269K on it when I sold it and it had never leaked or used a drop of oil between oil changes. Now the crappy A4LD tranny was a different story, but the engine was great.
The 4.6L has been around since 91 and the modular design, 4.6L, 5.4L 6.8L are very reliable engines. Just doing the recommended maintenance an them is the best thing to do. Sure, occasionally parts do fail, but look thru the 4.6L/5.4L forum for the how many miles on your engine thread and you will find some with around 500K on them.
The 4.6L has been around since 91 and the modular design, 4.6L, 5.4L 6.8L are very reliable engines. Just doing the recommended maintenance an them is the best thing to do. Sure, occasionally parts do fail, but look thru the 4.6L/5.4L forum for the how many miles on your engine thread and you will find some with around 500K on them.
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