REVIEW: Everything Wrong With A Ford F150 5.4 Triton V8

Summary

In this detailed video, the speaker discusses working on a 2004 Ford F-150 with a 5.4 Triton engine, highlighting several common issues. The talk covers problems with spark plugs, manifold, and engine components like cam sensors, rockers, and timing chains. The speaker shares their frustrations with Ford’s design flaws, including parts like hanger bearings and brake systems, which are expensive and problematic. They detail the challenges of repairing the truck, including a dropped engine, broken studs, and compression issues, while ultimately reflecting on why they wouldn’t buy a Ford due to the high maintenance costs.

Takeaways

• 🔧 The owner thought the truck was on a 250 platform, but it's actually a 2004 F-150 on a 150 platform.
• 🚗 The truck has a 5.4 Triton engine, which is known for issues with spark plugs that can cause significant problems if not maintained properly.
• ⚙️ Ford made changes to the Triton engine over the years, including different valve configurations and supercharged versions in some models.
• 💥 Early Triton engines had only 2-3 threads holding the spark plugs, leading to them shooting out during driving.
• 🔩 Later versions of the Triton had more threads, but the steel plugs and aluminum heads could oxidize and become difficult to remove.
• 🛠️ Common issues with the Triton include manifold rot, snapping studs, and problems with roller rockers that can lead to catastrophic engine failure.
• 🛢️ Overhead cam and variable valve timing systems can cause issues if not properly maintained, particularly with oil pressure and camshaft clearances.
• 💡 The mechanic had to deal with a dropped engine that damaged the valve cover, adding extra work to remove the cover, timing cover, and oil pan.
• 🐿️ While working on the truck, the mechanic discovered a squirrel had been living in the exhaust, leaving nuts behind.
• 🚚 After replacing the engine, the truck faced issues starting due to sensors being plugged in incorrectly, which took significant troubleshooting to resolve.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the spark plugs on the 5.4L Triton engine?

The main issue is that in early Triton engines, there were only 2-3 threads holding the spark plugs in place, leading to the plugs blowing out. Later models had too many threads, causing the spark plugs to seize due to rust and oxidation, especially since the plugs were steel and the heads were aluminum.

Why is the use of anti-seize on the spark plugs problematic?

Applying too much anti-seize can reduce the efficiency of the spark plug by preventing a proper ground connection. This can degrade the performance of the plugs, making them act like cheap, low-quality parts.

What are some other common issues with the 5.4L Triton engine?

Besides spark plug problems, common issues include exhaust manifold rot, snapping studs when removing manifolds, roller rockers that can break, and variable valve timing (VVT) issues due to oil pressure or camshaft clearances.

What is a common failure related to the overhead cam and variable valve timing in these engines?

If the proper clearances aren't maintained on the camshaft, it can lead to the phaser not receiving enough oil pressure, causing valve and piston issues. This can lead to catastrophic engine failure, which some engine rebuilders refuse to repair due to high return rates.

How did the customer’s engine drop affect the repair process?

The engine was dropped during delivery, cracking the valve cover. This required the valve cover, timing cover, and oil pan to be removed to check for loose pieces inside the engine, adding extra work to the repair process.

What makes replacing the exhaust manifolds on the Triton engines difficult?

The studs holding the manifold in place are prone to snapping due to corrosion, especially since they are steel bolts in aluminum heads. This can lead to drilling into the aluminum, which complicates the process.

Why was it difficult to start the truck after the engine swap?

The issue was traced to the crank sensor, cam sensor, and cam phaser using the same plugs. These plugs were mismatched when the engine was reassembled, causing the truck to not start properly.

What was the cause of the truck’s pinging and knocking under load?

The issue was caused by the engine skipping a tooth on the timing chain. This happened when the engine kicked back during compression, which occurred before the oil pressure was sufficient to tension the chain.

Why did the truck’s spark plugs cause issues even though they were new?

Despite being brand new, the spark plugs were out of spec and caused problems at higher RPMs. Replacing the spark plugs fixed the issue after extensive troubleshooting.

What is the speaker’s overall opinion of Ford trucks, specifically the F-150?

The speaker finds that while Ford trucks can run well when they are functioning properly, they tend to have frequent and costly issues after around 100,000 to 150,000 kilometers. The speaker also criticizes Ford for making repairs expensive, such as charging $1,800 for a driveshaft hanger bearing.