Looking to buy a F150 4x4. My price range says it will be a 2000 to 2008 with around 100,000 miles. Will mostly be used for getting around and some small loads and light towing. I"ve been hearing about sparkplug and cam problems. Just hearing the bad things would like to hear both sides.
- Thread starter dlbuck
- Start date
Paul Shuler
Member
My dad who has since passed away owned a 1999 f-150 with the 4.6 I think in it. Have had no problems with it at all. But a strong wind will make it shift out overdrive. It is very low on power and gets way worse milage than you would think. About 14 last time we checked it.
I will agree with the low on power part. The 4.6 will last forever though. With some minor changes it"s basically the same engine used in Crown Victoria cop cars and cabs. At the junkyard I see them with 300,000 on the odo. If anything on the truck I would look at the transmission more, I had to have mine rebuilt around 130,000 miles, it"s a 97.
Two series in this engine the later ones are known as PE or performance enhanced have a little more power and of course the 5.4 is stronger than the 4.6. Cam problems means it's a latter engine and the owner didn't use the recommended 5W-20 oil. Spark plug problems were more common in the earlier engines, the PE heads have a little more meat for the plug to stick to. Longevity? the 4.6 in the Crown Vic (a lighter version of the truck motor)- cab operators report it's not uncommon to go 500,000 miles. Gas mileage- I'm running a 01 2WD extended cab 4.6, auto trans, topper full of tools and the 3.55 gear. Last week from Green Bay WI to Superior WI about 16mpg regular no-lead with ethanol running at 70MPH when traffic will allow. From Superior to Peshtigo, same truck, next day on secondary roads (60 MPH) between 18 and 19. Best tank ever about 23 MPG. Normal beating it back and forth to work day in and day out 23 mile commute 15-17MPG. Mileage is down a little from when new but I'm also running 255 tires rather than the 235 it came with, but the speedometer is now accurate.
I have a 2005 F150 supercrew 4.6 with just over 100,000 miles on it, it's nothin to get 20 mpg on the hiway, slow down and it gets better. I just had my Ford dealer replace the first set of plugs and take care of a recall problem with the driver side airbag. No problems whatsoever other than that.
Thanks for the good info.,I own a '97 f-150, 4.6, 5sp.manual, 4X4, with just short of 100K on it. I've only had it a couple of years and I hear no end of horror stories about the engines in these. (taken with a grain of salt of course) It doesn't have any excess of power but for only about 280 cu in. it's not bad either ! I almost never tow with it and most of my mileage is hwy. or gravel roads, Has been getting 14 to 17, depends on how heavy my right foot gets. Ken
The 3 valve engines are much better than the 2 valve engines in terms of power. We have 2010 F150 extended cab SB with the 4.6 3V engine - averages about 19-21 MPG consistantly. That's with every tank of fuel with mixed driving and any yahoo that grabs the keys driving it.
Actally from 2002 on (or so) all the 4.6s with 2V engines have the PI heads (not PE). Much better power than the old 2V engines and with better threads on the spark plug holes.
Actally from 2002 on (or so) all the 4.6s with 2V engines have the PI heads (not PE). Much better power than the old 2V engines and with better threads on the spark plug holes.
pete black
Well-known Member
Can not speak for the 4.6; however, the 5.4 at 100k is possibly becoming problemic. Plugs are not a big issuse if they are changed correctly. Individual coil packs (8) may begin to fail, not hugely costly or difficult but irritating. I had to have a cam replaced at 75k on an 04 ($ ouch). Time was, 100k meant worn out, now of days just maintenance. I fully suspect similiar problems with other makes of engines.
2000 F250 2wd Super Duty. Picture is of speedo as of today. Put 2 alternators, 2-3 coil packs (my fault, they don't like water so don't clean engine any longer) and a radiator in this vehicle. It got 15 mpg when new, still does. Last time I asked up at the oil change place how many times I had been in there, it was +50 X. Take care of them, they will take care of you. Would I buy another Ford?? In a heartbeat !!
My '06 Supercab 4x4 with the 4.6 gets around 16-17 everyday driving, about 19 on long trips. Rated at 6K towing, so if you're towing much over 5K you might want to go with the 5.4. I don't do any towing, and about the heaviest load I'll carry is a yard of crushed rock, which it handles well.
Only problem I've had is the 4WD switch on the firewall failed a couple winters ago. The new design of that switch incorporates a water shield to keep water from running off the windshield from getting into it. Cost of the new switch was around $28 IIRC, and was dead simple to get at and replace.
Only problem I've had is the 4WD switch on the firewall failed a couple winters ago. The new design of that switch incorporates a water shield to keep water from running off the windshield from getting into it. Cost of the new switch was around $28 IIRC, and was dead simple to get at and replace.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Good, that leaves more Fords for the rest of us! I have a 2000 f150 with a 5.4 and like it just fine.
Al L. in Wisc.
Well-known Member
I bought a 1998 F-150 XLT extended cab; five-speed manual tranny; two-wheel drive with the 4.6 two years ago this past June with 123300 miles for just under $6000. I really like it for mileage as I get 19-21 most of the time with the best at 23. Except a few times on the big hills we have hear it has the power I need...those folks can just go past me. Took the bed liner out, change the oil, give it a bath, I like that red color! Now = 142000+
I drive a 2008 F150 extended cab 4x4 with the 4.6 in it.
Averages about 16-17 MPG empty. Automatic with O/D.
It got better MPG with the original street tires but they lacked traction in snow.
Truck rolled over 100k trouble free miles a couple weeks ago.
I pull a 2000 pound trailer with small tractors on it. (2000 - 4500 lbs)
With 6000 lbs behind it I'm sure not going to win any races,
but its always got me there and back.
Averages about 16-17 MPG empty. Automatic with O/D.
It got better MPG with the original street tires but they lacked traction in snow.
Truck rolled over 100k trouble free miles a couple weeks ago.
I pull a 2000 pound trailer with small tractors on it. (2000 - 4500 lbs)
With 6000 lbs behind it I'm sure not going to win any races,
but its always got me there and back.
d1buck, I have a 97 F150, (built in June of 96) 2nd run of the new style pickups. Technically a 96 & half model ,,like the early mustangs were!)
4x4, Supercab, long box, 4.6 V8, auto, 3.55 gears.
The odometer reads 345,000 now! Deepest we have been into it is a water pump. Tranny still all original, just a fluid change once.
My truck is before the poor head design where the plug problems were. either go older 97s /98s or get above 03s to be safe. I believe the plug problems were on the 99, 00, 01 models.
Had to get a new inspections 3 weeks ago, to do that our rigs have to pass emissions test. So I had the codes cleared, and ran it working one day and put just short of 300 miles on it,...got 14.5 mpg on this crappy ethanol blended gas we now have. If it had been unblended, straight gas it would have gotten 16 mpg! right where it had always been! OBTW the old girl passed 4 of the 5 items checked, only needed to pass 3 of them!
The 4.6 is a great engine for most folks who do not pull trailers on a regular basis. But, I have ask mine to do things that would scare most larger pickups, and it has come back smiling at me! Just, use some cooth about what you do!
Hope this helps.
Later,
John A.
4x4, Supercab, long box, 4.6 V8, auto, 3.55 gears.
The odometer reads 345,000 now! Deepest we have been into it is a water pump. Tranny still all original, just a fluid change once.
My truck is before the poor head design where the plug problems were. either go older 97s /98s or get above 03s to be safe. I believe the plug problems were on the 99, 00, 01 models.
Had to get a new inspections 3 weeks ago, to do that our rigs have to pass emissions test. So I had the codes cleared, and ran it working one day and put just short of 300 miles on it,...got 14.5 mpg on this crappy ethanol blended gas we now have. If it had been unblended, straight gas it would have gotten 16 mpg! right where it had always been! OBTW the old girl passed 4 of the 5 items checked, only needed to pass 3 of them!
The 4.6 is a great engine for most folks who do not pull trailers on a regular basis. But, I have ask mine to do things that would scare most larger pickups, and it has come back smiling at me! Just, use some cooth about what you do!
Hope this helps.
Later,
John A.
Heres a bad thing for you.My 96 F150 ranaway yesterday.Havent felt acceleration like this since I ran the 36 on the drag strip in the 50s.A search shows Ford is second behind Toyota for uncontrolled runaway.Talked to 2 Ford service managers who never heard of it.A 5.4 is hot when floored.Found the throttle stuck wide open.I didnt do it,had to be cruise control that I dont use..
A search of the internet found plenty of Ford runaway problems going back many years and happening a lot with 2008 f150s.I disconnected the cruise control cable from the throttle yesterday and pulled the electric connection.Just type in Ford F150 runaway and see for your self.Dont ignore this,Lucky it happened on the open road.Lots of accounts of crashes in traffic.It only has to happen once to kill you.DO NOT BUY A VEHICLE WITH CRUISE CONTROL...Hope some of you will do a search on this.Ford is second in line behind Toyota for runaways.
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