04 F150 5.4L is Sick

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Good call on the reman engine. They have all new timing sets and have the 3 year unlimited mile warranty.

Just curious, and I apologize if you said this before, but what oil filters were used on this truck? If Motorcraft were not used were the ones the same size as an FL820S used or were the smaller ones used?
 
Last couple of OCI's have been Amsoil filters and Amsoil XL oil. Prior to that, it was Puralators and Wix. All were very similar in size to the motorcraft.
 
I am not gonna blame Amsoil, but a lot of times it is filter media that clogs the oil passages. One of the times we did a 5.4 3v for this concern our tech spent a few hours cleaning out oil filter guts from the oil passages. Interestingly the vehicle had a non MC filter that was the smaller size, close to a FL500s that a quick lube put on that did not belong on that engine.
 
I get yelled at and accused of being anti Ford every time I post this, but I know of a number of 5.4's that have popped early.

Personally I would never buy a truck with that motor.
 
Originally Posted By: Geauxtiger
OP here.
Well, the verdict is in.....not good.
The_Eric may have had the closest guess. Obviously an oil gallery became plugged. The back half of the valve train on the passenger side was DRY. Extreme scoring of cam. the top of the furtherest back spring was actually dry to the touch and had 'dust' (metal filingg?) visible. Can't really get in there to investigate further since the engine is shoved so far under the dash.
This may explain why the truck began using oil for the first time this year...~1 Qt per 5kmi. May have damage throughout engine due to floating metal debris.
Choices - rebuild top end with 12 mo warranty or install Ford reman engine with 3 yr 100K warranty. After much thought and surfing used truck prices, decided to go with the reman engine.
The good news is that my 7-8k OCI regimine using a variety of oils most discussed in this forum resulted in a pretty clean valve train...just some light varnish on the cam between lobes (and maybe that formed due to very low oil flows for however long this problem has been developing). I may never get to find out what plugged the oil gallery, but I at least feel good that it wasn't due to sludge.


Yep, sounds like the one I did, except for there was no real damage because it was caught early enough.

Like bdcardinal said, it could have been filter media or silicone gasket material. The one I did was definitely silicone type material.

I'll add to the list who say that it was wise to replace the whole engine. I know I'd have a hard time trusting it.
 
Hattaresguy: I agree. Ive seen several die young. Sad but true. Hope the Ford camp does not bicker about it. Its just what ive seen as well.
 
Define dying young. Engine had 173,000 plus miles on it. Earlier than many, yes. Young, I have a hard time with that.

That being said, I've seen Fords die early, but I've seen Chevy's and Dodges do it too. Doesn't mean I swear them all off.
 
got a brain lock this morning...what are those bearings along the length of the cam called? Anyway, you can see that the front was has been removed. there is quite a bit of scoring on the bearing and shaft. And this was closest to the 'wet' end of the cam. The further you go back, the drier it becomes.

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Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
I am not gonna blame Amsoil, but a lot of times it is filter media that clogs the oil passages. One of the times we did a 5.4 3v for this concern our tech spent a few hours cleaning out oil filter guts from the oil passages. Interestingly the vehicle had a non MC filter that was the smaller size, close to a FL500s that a quick lube put on that did not belong on that engine.


Good call on the filter. I'd have the dealer cut the filter open and see if that was the problem. At least then you might be able to put in a claim to the filter maker if the filter is in fact bad. It could have been a filter that was tossed from a prior OC, but still worth a look if the filter is available. JMO
 
One of my annoyances with the whole mod motors family is they don't use cam bearings. The cams ride directly on the journals. Trickflow's heads for the 1v motors have replaceable journals.
 
bdcardinal, that was a frustrating learning experience for me yesterday. The journals were severaly scored, and they are a part of the head. Therefore, at minimum, the head had to be replaced.

Just for fun... when I get this truck back in a week or so with the reman engine, I wonder what kind of 'break-in' I should perform? Never had a reman engine before. Drive it like I stole it? Early oil change? Don't know whether the dealer will be using Motorcraft or low bid for oil/filter. Probably should ask/demand Mororcraft (or other?) before job is finished.
Thoughts?
 
I know some will disagree, but I think for a Ford product there is no better filter than Motorcraft. Readily available, properly designed, well-constructed, and inexpensive (bonus!).
 
well, it has had nothing but 5w20 since new, but I don't recall ever using a motorcraft filter....not for any particular reason other than I have never caught them on oil & filter specials. I have 4 WIX and 1 Bosch filter in the shop right now. Wondr if there really is a difference in the motorcraft vs the other respected brands - Wix/Bosch/Amsoil/Pureone/etc - when it comes to this engine?
 
Originally Posted By: Geauxtiger
well, it has had nothing but 5w20 since new, but I don't recall ever using a motorcraft filter....not for any particular reason other than I have never caught them on oil & filter specials. I have 4 WIX and 1 Bosch filter in the shop right now. Wondr if there really is a difference in the motorcraft vs the other respected brands - Wix/Bosch/Amsoil/Pureone/etc - when it comes to this engine?

Your answer is a big YES! The silicon anti-drain back valve on the MotorCraft FL-820-S filter is installed near the front of the threads where you spin it on as opposed to all other brands that put it on the botton of the filter!
 
Curious... how does placement of the anti drain back valve have any effect? Everytime I replace the filter, I have oil running down my forearm due to the gush of held-up oil that pours out when I remove the filter.
 
Also, the failure is due to no or nearly no oil on the passenger side. Not just a start up dry situation, but dry at all times.
 
Originally Posted By: Geauxtiger
Also, the failure is due to no or nearly no oil on the passenger side. Not just a start up dry situation, but dry at all times.


Hard to believe one side only would be caused by a restrictive filter.
 
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