High Mileage?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1
From: Mercer County, OH
High Mileage?
I'm thinking of getting a 2001-2003 F-150 4x4 and it'll probably have around 100,000+ miles on it. What kind of problems are common with the 4.6 & 5.4 engines with that many miles?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,932
Likes: 181
i bought a 2001 5.4 with 125k miles, 3 years ago.
--all filters and oil for trans/ motor/ axles and fuel filter at 125k
--lower ball joints at 126k
---spark plugs at 130k (recommended at 100k).
---3 COPS between 140 and 180K
-- upper ball joints at 150k
--alternator at 150k
---brakes at 160k and front discs
---drive shaft universals and battery new when i bought it at 125k.
--all filters and oil for trans/ motor/ axles and fuel filter at 125k
--lower ball joints at 126k
---spark plugs at 130k (recommended at 100k).
---3 COPS between 140 and 180K
-- upper ball joints at 150k
--alternator at 150k
---brakes at 160k and front discs
---drive shaft universals and battery new when i bought it at 125k.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: north shore, minnesota
exactly right. Look for things like brakes, axle seals, altenator, u joints, ball joints, tie rod ends, spark plugs, COPs, and change all the fluids.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 9
I had to replace the coil at 125K. That's it as far as engine related issues. Everything else has been maintenance and consumables. You should have many more miles to enjoy your new truck.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Owasso, Oklahoma
my 1997 4.6 liter has 200,000 plus miles on it and the ONLY thing i have had to fix on it was one of my pulley's came loose which made it get out of line and it started ripping my belt. i tightened it back up and no problems sence. i change my oil every 3,000 miles too. just look for one that seems to be well maintained. the 4.6 is arguably the most reliable engine ford built IMO so you cant go wrong with it
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,351
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Many complain about noisy exhaust manifolds b/c of warping, cracking & the studs rotting out. Not sure what year FORD finally improved the aluminum heads in response to the dreaded stripped threads/blown out spark plug mess. Unless antifreeze was changed regularly head gaskets become vulnerable & are costly to replace.
A friend, who is a career mechanic, had his bought new '01 5.4 drop a valve's retainers & eat the valve, totaling the V8 at 125K. This put him in the position of rolling the dice on a salvage replacement motor. The 100K mark also means stuff like AC compressor, water pump, alternator, plus frontend joints & major brake components will likely need attention soon.
In OH I'd be very concerned about rust.
A friend, who is a career mechanic, had his bought new '01 5.4 drop a valve's retainers & eat the valve, totaling the V8 at 125K. This put him in the position of rolling the dice on a salvage replacement motor. The 100K mark also means stuff like AC compressor, water pump, alternator, plus frontend joints & major brake components will likely need attention soon.
In OH I'd be very concerned about rust.
