Daughters first vehicle, 2003 F-150 5.4

S

Sj08

Joined
Jul 27, 2021
Messages
83
Location
North Dakota
Was given to our 15 year old daughter from my wife's parents.

We don't know much about the maintenance history, title showed they bought it in '09 with 69000 miles, and now has 108xxx.
They "usually" remembered to take to dealer for oil change when window sticker came up on miles, but current sticker shows next service due 12/2017 107xxx miles.
They don't remember if any other service was recommended or done, but said if something was recommended to be done they probably would have had them do it.
It was parked in the garage when not driven, so looks to be in good condition with minor dings and surface rust.

We live about 2.5 hours away, and drove it home yesterday and it worked great.

Going to do the basic maintenance, engine oil/filter, brake fluid, inspect tranny and other fluids, belts.

Anything else to be looking for on this year and model?
Particularly interested in opinions on whether to mess with spark plugs? Heard a lot about either blowing out, or breaking off in the head, and at the age/miles could pose a problem.

Our goal with this vehicle is to have something for our daughter to drive to school, and around town for the next 3-4 years. We live in a small rural town that is less than 1 mile to get from one end to the other end, so very few miles will be actually driven, but started and short tripped a few times a day in the winter can be tough on equipment.
 
I don't believe plugs were a big issue in the 2v but were a problem in the 3v until they updated it later in its life. Didn't have an issue when I did the plugs in my 97 5.4 You could try a generous dose of penetrating oil given an hour to work good like deep creep to help them come out easier. Heard sea foam deep creep is good for stuck plugs. The best penetrating oil I've used to date is kimball midwest but it is difficult to find and pricey but it is wonderfully aggressive stuff. I have to be careful using it because if a tiny bit hits my skin especially my face it starts to burn a bit.
 
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Soak your spark plug wells with penetrating oil for a long time to reduce the risk of breakage during removal (if the 2 piece design is currently installed). Or...
 
The 2v engines had the plug blowout issue. I've heard Internet lore about ford "fixing" the problem mid year 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 ... rinse, repeat until they stopped making the 2v 5.4 in 2014.

They won't break off in the head. They blow out because Ford spec'd 14 ft/lb. I torque both of my 2v engines to 25-29 ft/lb. They threads will hold up to around 80 before they pull. When you torque them to the factory spec, they'll back off a little then take all the threads on the way out.

They're pretty good engines. Not much for power and they'll need to really sing to do any work.

I have one with 250K in my truck. The right head gasket can leak oil . If it rattles a bit on cold start, it'll need timing guides/tensioners ... the chains last forever.

The transmission in them is pretty good. Some sort of 4R70/75 variant. Change the fluid using MERCON V ONLY. Do not use something that is compatible with other fluids. You risk getting torque converter shudder. Change the filter in the pan and reuse the factory gasket.



Rand said:
A v8 truck for a first vehicle.. 🫣
Click to expand...

A 2v 5.4 makes less torque and horsepower than your average NA V6 of today 🤣🤣
 
Thanks for the replies.
I watched a few youtube videos about changing spark plugs, and a few said changing them while the engine is hot. Is that the better way to do it? I haven't changed plugs on a hot engine before.
 
That 2v engine will last a long time, my father had over 300k on his before he started to get overheating, more than likely a head cracked a little. Some mechanic in a bottle stop leak actually seemed to work. He sold it and the guy still drives it around. They are prone to sludge, and the timing belt guides will break eventually. I would recommend a flush, like BG EPR/MOA if the service history is hit or miss.
 
The 2V engines are fantastically durable. '03 should have the heads with more than 3 threads, so unlikely to launch a plug. Timing chain guides CAN be a problem, but it's luck of the draw, depending on the age of the mold used to make them. My parent's Expedition that they are trying to sell has over 200,000 miles on it, original guides, no noise. Launched #8 plug a few months ago (repaired), but it's a 2000. My 2002 also launched a plug, also #8.

They are reasonably torquey (330lb-ft IIRC) but not fast (260HP) and pretty thirsty.
 
Sj08 said:
Thanks for the replies.
I watched a few youtube videos about changing spark plugs, and a few said changing them while the engine is hot. Is that the better way to do it? I haven't changed plugs on a hot engine before.
Click to expand...
On a 3v engine yes. Most mechanics don't even know the difference between the 2v and 3v engine ... that's why they always say 5.4s are bad.

2v you want to do stone cold.
 
I've had a few for various reasons. Common problems for mine:

-Spark plug ejection. 1998 and 2003 5.4's. the 1998 happened pulling a trailer on vacation. Had no choice but cram the self tapping Dorman insert in it in an AutoZone parking lot to continue. A few years later, that repair would fail and I replaced the engine because the head was damaged beyond repair.
-Head gasket oil leak as previously mentioned. Never repaired those. An annoyance.
Exhaust manifold leaks on all.
Timing set failure on the 2003.

I like these trucks, not these engines in these trucks. Even when equipped with the 5.4, they're underperforming despite the decent peak numbers. The 4.6 feels barely adequate like it doesn't even belong in a full sized truck. Otherwise, they're fuel thirsty, and they are relatively difficult to maintain in this narrow cab over design given how externally large the engines are. These would've been some of my favorite trucks if it wasn't for the mod motor under the hood.
 
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OVERKILL said:
The 2V engines are fantastically durable. '03 should have the heads with more than 3 threads, so unlikely to launch a plug. Timing chain guides CAN be a problem, but it's luck of the draw, depending on the age of the mold used to make them. My parent's Expedition that they are trying to sell has over 200,000 miles on it, original guides, no noise. Launched #8 plug a few months ago (repaired), but it's a 2000. My 2002 also launched a plug, also #8.

They are reasonably torquey (330lb-ft IIRC) but not fast (260HP) and pretty thirsty.
Click to expand...

I finally got mine back. Rented a 2500 Duramax to tow my Jeep in late October, then a few weeks later towed it with my 250k mile 5.4. The 600 lb/ft less was very noticeable. But, it did it :D

emmett442 said:
I've had a few for various reasons. Common problems for mine:

-Spark plug ejection. 1998 and 2003 5.4's. the 1998 happened pulling a trailer on vacation. Had no choice but cram the self tapping Dorman insert in it in an AutoZone parking lot to continue. A few years later, that repair would fail and I replaced the engine because the head was damaged beyond repair.
-Head gasket oil leak as previously mentioned. Never repaired those. An annoyance.
Exhaust manifold leaks on all.
Timing set failure on the 2003.

I like these trucks, not these engines in these trucks. Even when equipped with the 5.4, they're underperforming despite the decent peak numbers. The 4.6 feels barely adequate like it doesn't even belong in a full sized truck. Otherwise, they're fuel thirsty, and they are relatively difficult to maintain in this narrow cab over design given how externally large the engines are. These would've been some of my favorite trucks if it wasn't for the mod motor under the hood.
Click to expand...

I wasn't going to do the head gasket on my truck but it got to the point I was worried about it catching on fire. 1 quart every 75 miles. There was a very steady cloud of smoke behind me at all times.

But these engines are absolutely miserable to work on. I have a 4.6 Grand Marquis and a 5.4L f-350. When I did the timing chains on the Grand Marquis step 1 was "Remove the brake pedal and booster". I skipped that step and really had a fight with the drivers side valve cover.

As for power, Ford engineers really didn't comminucate with each other. They should have had 3.55 minimum in the panthers, 4.10 in the F150s and 4.56/4.88 in the HD pickups. My 5.4 is like a light switch at 2300 RPM. There's NOTHING under 2300 for towing, but once it hits that, it takes off. The 4.6 I can't feel as well as it has a torque converter doing slushbox things, but it doesn't seem to pull until 3000. Putting gearing for pushrod engines behind thes engines was a big mistake.

My f-350 is just miserable. The engine is under the dash like a van. But there is no doghouse.
 
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