Concidering Super duty 99-03 is there engine problems?
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Junior User
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Concidering Super duty 99-03 is there engine problems?
Hey thinking of selling off my 88 bronco and jump into a newer truck. I am looking at a 99-03ish F250, probably a 5.4 gas. This truck will become my plow truck, and general work truck in the summer. Is there any engine problems with these trucks? The reason I ask is one of my friends has a 97 F150, I think its the 4.6 but could be a 5.4, his engine blew, the engine place says these engines has a defect with the valve guides, where they fail, burn off the oil and kill the motor. I was really wanting to know if or when that problem has been tended too? any imput would be great.
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I haven't heard of any problems with the 4.6, I had a van with the 4.6 and over 100,000 miles with no problems, and my wifes expedition just turned 100,00 miles and we have had no problems other than coil packs, which is normal from wear. I have a 5.4 in my new truck and it seems to be o.k. . My freind had the v-10 in his van and went to start it one day and it locked up, the valves hit the pistons. Something about the oil passage to to timing slack adjuster being clogged. If you are going to pull a trailer you may not want the 4.6, It could barely pull my camper uphill in tenn. but on flat ground it did o.k. , but it is a good strong motor. If I remember correctly the 4.6 had some issues with the head gaskets leaking, but i'm sure that they have corrected that by now.
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From: Morehead, Ky.
I had a 97 F150 4X4 Ext.Cab 4.6. I bought it new and it spent most of its time on the road. However I went off road every day on Coal strip mines and Highway construction Jobs. I replaced the Spark plugs and Wires, the Starter and the Alternator. Nothing else was done to the engine except oil and filters. I put 185000 on her. Best engine I ever had.
.PS I did replace the top rad hose as they were prone to wear in the bracket they laid on. Ford put one out with a reinforcement at the wear point. It did fair pulling a few thousand pounds, but was not a powerhouse. It had 3.73 rears. Hammer
.PS I did replace the top rad hose as they were prone to wear in the bracket they laid on. Ford put one out with a reinforcement at the wear point. It did fair pulling a few thousand pounds, but was not a powerhouse. It had 3.73 rears. Hammer
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You'll find many 5.4L F250 on here pushing way past the 150K mark. I've heard that some of the 5.4L have sparkplug issues but you can search and read more on that. There is also the issue with sticking stock Ford locking hubs but that is an easy fix. I'm driving a 03' F250 5.4L w/200k showing and it's a great truck!
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: East TN
The main thing with the 5.4 is the spark plug blowing issue.......the head wasnt built with enough threads on it so if the spark plug is not properly torqued it work its way loose and blow out..........taking the threads with it. This was a problem on 97-04 2valve5.4's 05+ models are the 3valve with more horsepower and corrected heads. (correct me if im wrong guys). I have a 02 5.4 and it blew one.............But i always see where the 5.4 was one of Ward's 10 best engines almost every year............whoever ward is!
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Itinerant
I still have my '99' with 245,000 on it(5.4 engine) the only problem was the gasket on the passenger side that leaked oil in the back of the engine fixed it under warranty. Went out again at 220,000 not worried about it just add a little oil once and awhile. Never had a plug problem.
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Junior User
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I am almost thinking they are full of it, rarely see any newer fords in their lot, and my shop is across the street, I look at it daily.
Well my bronco is now getting milky oil, so may switch over to another truck soon. Maybe I will toss the rusted out tub, throw on the 96 cab, engine, and harness, make a mini bed for it, and use it as a back up truck.
thank you all for your imput.
Well my bronco is now getting milky oil, so may switch over to another truck soon. Maybe I will toss the rusted out tub, throw on the 96 cab, engine, and harness, make a mini bed for it, and use it as a back up truck.
thank you all for your imput.
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From: Stephensville WI
OK, the 1999-2003 5.4L engines had a design flaw. The spark plug holes in the heads did not have enough threads. This led to some engines blowing out a spark plug. While bothersome, this was not a huge problem. A thread insert kit is used to restore the threads and new spark plugs are installed.
This problem affected all Triton engines for those years. The 5.4L wasn't alone.
The other weak point for the earlier trucks is the transmission. The 4R100 transmission wasn't the best Ford ever made. Stock you cold probably count on getting it rebuilt at 125k or so. It can be rebuilt into a bulletproof transmission. If you'ge getting one for plow or towing use, install additional transmission cooling on the truck.
This problem affected all Triton engines for those years. The 5.4L wasn't alone.
The other weak point for the earlier trucks is the transmission. The 4R100 transmission wasn't the best Ford ever made. Stock you cold probably count on getting it rebuilt at 125k or so. It can be rebuilt into a bulletproof transmission. If you'ge getting one for plow or towing use, install additional transmission cooling on the truck.
