Hi all... I'm looking for some cleaning suggestions for oil and coolant on a 2010 F150 5.4L 3 valve engine. This truck has 135k miles on it and I'm assuming the maintenance to this point has been terrible. The coolant tank appears to have gotten oil in it at some point and had a pretty lousy job done cleaning it (pic attached). What, if any, additives would you recommend for cleaning the oil system as well as the coolant system? I've read where some had success running marvel or seafoam in the crankcase before changing oil but wanted to get the opinion of the experts first. I appreciate any advice, this is my son's first truck and we've got a lot of work ahead of us.
Help cleaning engine in recently purchased F150
- Thread starter wckelly
- Start date
best way to clean your coolant reservoir is to take off truck, clean with a detergent etc,rinse , then use a radiator flush cleaner of your choice, (prestone) for example, following directions of cleaner/flush, rinse with clear water, then put in new antifreeze solution for ford specs and a can of water pump lube,,,as for the engine, why not use Valvoline restore and protect 5w-30 and new Fram ultra filter & ,monitor the progress of the R&P and change out at say three thousand miles ,to start with,,
Doubt it has had oil in the coolant. The overflow tank on both my f150s with 5.4s look like that. They just did a poor job flushing the tank when the coolant was changed, if it even has been changed.
These and all the 4.6/5.4/6.8 engines had issues with the oil filter adapter gasket leaking and looking like this.
That coolant tank had the sealer for radiator leaks in it, that is not oil. They had a coolant leak at some point and used that.
I have had bad luck with radiator/coolant cleaners. Used a product in the past that cleaned so well that I had a water pump leak after. I have however cleaned the coolant tank with good results. Take the tank out of the truck, flush it out with water then pour in a bunch of Simple Green. Shake the living daylights out of it, let it sit for a while. Shake repeat a few times then rinse. Mine came out looking like new.
Patman
Staff member
Done
Thanks for all the input. I'm going to be pulling valve cover and head off over the next few weeks, we currently have an oil leak on the passenger side valve cover and error codes P0021 and P0011. The dealership says they replaced the VCT solenoids. I figured best approach is to pull everything and inspect. Debating putting the upgraded Melling oil pump why I have it disassembled but that depends on what I find with phasers, guides, chains, etc. I haven't done this before but FordTechMakuloco has some phenomenal videos on YouTube that make it seem doable. I'm certain I'll be back for guidance at some point soon... Thanks again.
Weird to me how some of these engines are trouble and some aren't. Our 2005 Expedition 3V 5.4L that we had until 2023 had over 230k miles on it and the only thing that ever gave us problems was coil packs and an alternator around 220k miles. Apparently Cam Phasers and Roller Followers are potential trouble spots on these. Good luck getting yours sorted.
5.4L 3V was one of those engines if you went to 5W-30 instead of 5W-20 called out early on, they seemed to be way less problematic on the cam phasers and followers. I had a 2005 F-250 with the 5.4L 3V that had 180K and no issues before I traded it off.
only a fool buys a 3v
I don’t agree. My friends used Expedition with the 5.4 hasn’t had any engine issues and he’s driven it all around the country with trailers and stuff.
Been reading Dale Carnegie again I see.
Remove from the vehicle and toss it in the trash. Order a new one. Done.
Or try powdered dish washer soap in high concentrations, lots of shaking, then rise with water and vinegar.
Dump the coolant and put in Zerex G-05 or Motorcraft Premium Gold (same exact coolant pick whichever is cheaper).
Oil changes every 4 or 5k. No extended drains.
Plan to put roller rockers on it soon, and plan to do front timing chain tensioners now before they leak and cause the top end to loose pressure.
Or try powdered dish washer soap in high concentrations, lots of shaking, then rise with water and vinegar.
Dump the coolant and put in Zerex G-05 or Motorcraft Premium Gold (same exact coolant pick whichever is cheaper).
Oil changes every 4 or 5k. No extended drains.
Plan to put roller rockers on it soon, and plan to do front timing chain tensioners now before they leak and cause the top end to loose pressure.
You could use Ford's premium cooling system flush p/n VC-1. What is it $15? I see that you watch FordTechMakuloco. He talks about that.
Why the need to pull the head?
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