Ford 5.4L

rrlund · Aug 7, 2017

Wasn't there a year,maybe around 2006,that Ford made some changes to the 5.4 to make it a better engine? Three valve I'm thinking?

The wife is looking for something better to drive. She's been looking for an Escape,but found an 05 Excursion with a 5.4. I love the 5.4 in my 07 F250,but I was thinking the 05 had a few problems.

Fordfarmer · Aug 7, 2017

Don't remember the year they changed to the 3-valve design, but yes, that change was supposed to take care of the spark plug problem, as well as bump the power.

JML755 · Aug 7, 2017

I recently bought an '04 F150 w/ the 5.4 Triton. Knew the 5.4 had issues (spark plugs blowing out of the head, etc.) and the guy I bought it from had just rebuilt the front end valvetrain (another problem area). Got a good deal and had factored in the possibility of a new engine into my purchase price. Well, guess what? Engine seized up on the freeway. Got a reman installed. Company said they do 2-5 per week. When I dropped mine off, there were 2 sitting in the shop getting new engines. The reman engines have updated spark plugs (1-piece, not the problematic 2-piece where a plug change could cost $1000), updated cam phasers, VCT solenoids, tensioners. These were all the things that caused problems with the '04-07. Yup, that Excursion falls into the group of "problem" vehicles.

The engine design is very sensitive to oil condition. Mine was very sludgy (a death sentence). Also, make sure you use the Motorcraft filters with the anti-drainback valve.

All in all, my truck runs good with the new engine but if you go with the Excursion of unknown pedigree, factor in ~ $5000 for a reman (installed)

RLA · Aug 7, 2017

all the 05's should be a 3 valve per cylinder engine.. This engine family 4.2,4.6, 5.4 & 6.8 are good engines but !! The LOVE clean Oil.
Older oils & lack of oil changes will KILL one less than 75K. With Clean oil, we have many well over 250K that we have sold new & serviced.
I would like to see service records, documentation be for I would buy. 5.4 in a excursion well loaded might be a tad under powered if you
like in a hilly area..

rrlund · Aug 7, 2017

My 07 has over 206,000 on it. We just got home from a 600 mile trip. I didn't worry about it for even a split second. The oil has been changed religiously every 3000 with 5W20. I can't say enough good about that one.

John730D · Aug 7, 2017

I've got one in a 1998 Navigator with 209,000 miles and is still running great. Original plugs and I change oil every 5,000. Just drove 1350 miles in two days, no problems at all.

wisbaker · Aug 8, 2017

Actually they changed the heads before they came out with the 3 valve 5.4. The way to tell is the PI (performance improved?) engines have a coil pack on top of the spark plug, the older engines with the propensity to blow out spark plugs will have plug wires. I don't know when they changed engines but my '01 F150 has the coil packs. I'm over 170,000 miles it's had reasonable care it still runs well but leaks a little oil and hasn't had any spark plug issues but I have had a few coil packs die, it looks like the body will dissolve before I can wear it out.

Ford 5.4L

rrlund

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Fordfarmer

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JML755

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RLA

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rrlund

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John730D

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wisbaker

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